Rigorous procedures ensure the safety of emergency department patients and staff.
Emergency Department (ED) visits fell sharply during the height of the coronavirus crisis, in New Jersey and nationally as well—and that has doctors worried. “We’ve seen our ED volume decline by approximately 50 percent,” says Michael Bernstein, MD, MBA, Medical Director of the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Rahway ED. “COVID-19 did not change the prevalence of life-threatening heart attacks, strokes, respiratory emergencies, surgical emergencies and other infectious diseases, but the number of people seeking medical care for these conditions in the ED has dropped precipitously,” says Dr. Bernstein.
“We believe that people are not seeking the care they need because they are afraid of getting exposed to COVID-19,” he explains. “This is concerning because any delay in care can lead to permanent disability and even death. People need to know that it is safe to come to the ED for evaluation of any symptoms that are worrisome. We’ve put in the place the proper precautions to protect our patients and our staff.”
Safety Measures
Safety steps taken by Emergency Departments throughout the RWJBarnabas Health system include:
- Separation of COVID-19 and non- COVID-19 patients upon entry
- Setting aside special areas that are completely separate from COVID-19 patients and caregivers
- Creation of “negative pressure” isolation rooms that prevent airborne contaminants from drifting to other areas in the hospital
- Provision of masks for all staff and patients
- Frequent disinfectant wiping of surfaces and equipment.
“We are all doing our part to provide the best and the safest medical care for our patients,” says Dr. Bernstein.
Cardiac concerns
Doctors have long pounded the drum for patients to call 911 if they experience symptoms of a heart attack. “Time is heart muscle,” says Mathew Cholankeril, MD, Chair of Cardiology at RWJUH Rahway. “The sooner we can treat you after the onset of symptoms—ideally, within 90 minutes—the less damage to your heart.”
Dr. Cholankeril urges people to be aware not only of the classic symptoms of a heart attack (see list, above) such as chest pain or a feeling of heaviness in the chest, but of non-traditional symptoms such as shortness of breath as well. Adding complexity to the situation is the fact that the novel coronavirus seems to exacerbate a range of other cardiovascular problems.
“COVID-19 is a vascular disease as well as a respiratory disease,” says Dr. Cholankeril. “It can lead to clotting in the arteries. It’s possible that a patient may have heart disease that has not been recognized, and with the stress of COVID-19 illness a cardiac event occurs. The event can be any of the known cardiac syndromes, including heart attack or heart failure. We just don’t have the answers yet.”
The important thing to know, he says, is that the advice for going to the ED is the same now as it was before COVID-19. “Pay attention to symptoms,” says Dr. Cholankeril, “and don’t hesitate to call 911.”
Stroke risk
The coronavirus-related clotting that can lead to heart attacks also appears to increase risk for stroke. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that leads to the brain is blocked by a clot, or ruptures, leading to death of brain cells as they’re robbed of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood. Immediate treatment can minimize the long-term effects of stroke, such as speech and movement difficulties, and even prevent death.
People with uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes are at increased risk of stroke, as are smokers. But the pandemic has introduced a new wrinkle: a striking increase in strokes among COVID-19 patients as young as their 30s and 40s, who had no stroke risk factors and no other COVID-19 symptoms. This new risk makes it all the more important for people to act when they have symptoms (see list, below).
“Pay attention to the suddenness of the symptoms, which could include confusion and severe headache, and call 911 so you can be taken to the hospital right away,” advises Adham Kamel, MD, Director of the Stroke Program at RWJUH Rahway. COVID-19, can affect the nervous system in other ways, too, says Dr. Kamel.
“One of the most common ways is the loss of smell,” he says. “Another is exacerbation of seizures in people who are prone to them. All of these things have to be further investigated.” What’s not in question is this emphatic advice from doctors: Don’t be afraid to go to the hospital if you need to. “You really have to weigh the risks and benefits, ” says Dr. Kamel, “and realize that the risks are much higher if you stay at home.”
Warning signs of stroke
Use the acronym BE FAST to remember these:
Balance:
Sudden dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Eyes:
Sudden trouble seeing out of one or both eyes
Face:
Facial weakness, uneven smile
Arm:
Weakness, unable to raise both arms evenly
Speech:
Impaired, slurred, difficulty repeating simple phrases
Time:
Call 911 immediately
To learn more about how we’re ensuring your safety at RWJBarnabas Health, visit www.rwjbh.org/welcomeback.