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Posted on 12/30/2021 10:14:32 AM PST by lightman
Penn State Health on Thursday advised people not to come to its emergency rooms for routine COVID-19 tests and non-emergency care, saying some people seeking tests might be turned away.
However, Penn State Health said people experiencing severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing should come to the ER.
It noted some people with no symptoms are coming to the emergency room wanting to be tested. It said people with no symptoms who come to the ER for tests related to travel or possible exposure might be turned away.
“People seeking COVID-19 tests at the emergency department when they are not sick place a tremendous burden on the medical staff’s ability to treat patients who need emergent care,” said Dr. Peter Dillon, the chief clinical officer. “We are asking for the public’s help during this time of high demand for care by seeking the medical care they need from the most appropriate places, and only using their local emergency department for true emergent needs.”
Penn State Health offered this advice for those who think they might need medical care:
People who are fully vaccinated and boosted and who have mild COVID-19 symptoms that are not getting worse, such as a sore throat, runny nose or congestion, do not need to go to a hospital emergency department. They should first seek care from their family physician or an urgent care center.
People experiencing more serious COVID-19 symptoms such as difficulty breathing, sustained high fever, confusion or the inability to stay hydrated should seek medical attention from their physician, and a visit to a hospital emergency department may be appropriate.
It offered these testing-related recommendations:
People who are symptomatic for COVID-19 (whether a Penn State Health patient or not) may use Penn State Health’s OnDemand app for a virtual appointment to discuss symptoms and determine whether they need testing. Current Penn State Health patients may also contact their Penn State Health Medical Group primary care provider to discuss symptoms and the need for a visit or testing. (Note: Virtual appointments are free for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms. More information can be found here.)
People with COVID symptoms also can purchase an at-home test, available at some drug stores throughout central Pennsylvania or online. Because a positive at-home test result in a symptomatic patient is considered highly accurate, patients should not seek a second confirmatory test from Penn State Health.
People without COVID-19 symptoms who come to a Penn State Health emergency department seeking a COVID-19 test due to possible exposure or upcoming travel should be aware that they may be redirected to other testing options available from Penn State Health or in the community. These individuals can also visit hhs.gov to find a testing site.
People without a primary care provider can call Penn State Health at 1-800-243-1455 or visit our Get Care Now site for care options near them based on their care need.
Penn State Health operates Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hampden Medical Center, Holy Spirit Medical Center and St. Joseph Medical Center.
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“...routine COVID-19 tests...” So there just routine now. Nothing to see. Wait for your home test kits from chi-nuh?
Now go ahead and extend this thought to illegal invaders and I'll be on board!
No kidding. The last place you want to go if you’re afraid of catching the virus is a long line of scardy cats.
Good point. I think that my wife and I got covid last October was because of the massive influx of wetbacks into our country. But who knows?
They created a panic, but don’t want panicked people to crowd the ER - got it?
Probably should have thought about that before firing all the unvaxed, huh?
What happened to all the drive thru Coof test sites Trump has set up?
In other news, 4-Jab Asymptomatic Hypochondriacs (4AJH) are flooding the hospitals.
That’s right. Have everything you need at home, stay home and take care of yourself.
they are completely useless.
i have added some more items to my things to try this week
lactoferrin and benadryl
licorice..and i cant stand black licorice. hard to find what might work as a lot of it is now flavored with anise. i bought some from overseas via amazon.
it wont be touched until i start coming down with anything...even if just a cold.
i survived going to the dentist without catching covid. it’s a christmas miracle for me
Yes and No.
Governor Tom Wolf announced FEMA teams coming to Pennsylvania hospitals.
And the emergency hospital preps for mass COVID patients just canned my planned surgery in the coming days.
the ER for a test, cause there’s no ER Co-Pay for welfare...
I’ll give odds you the people showing up at the ER aren’t workaday people who have to pay the copay penalty for going to the ER unnecessarily. The people doing this pay nothing.
ER is not a place for primary care
But no treatment as outpatient. Insane.
But no treatment as outpatient. Insane.
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