Don’t neglect urgent health needs, It’s safe to seek care

“We have the ability to keep our COVID patients in one part of the hospital and the patients without COVID in a di erent part of the hospital. We now have the testing ability, the protective equipment and all of the things we need to appropriately screen and separate those people.” it is encouraged.

“It’s very important for people to understand that our hospitals and clinics are safe places,” says Dr. Jeremy Cauwels, Sanford Health chief physician.

Andrew Burgard, a family practice physician in Fargo, shares some key points about clinic safety:

• Employees and patients undergo temperature screenings before entering a facility.

• All locations are following CDC cleaning requirements and cleaning and sanitizing several times a day.

• Social distancing is in effect in all waiting areas.

• Clinic employees must wear a face mask at all times.

• Sanford Health has worked hard to ensure it has a steady supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the safety of providers, caregivers, patients and residents.

• Sanford Health is limiting personnel and visitors at its locations.

• Hospitals have separate designated areas for COVID-19 patients.

“I feel that coming into the clinic here is about the safest place you’re going to go into in the community,” Burgard says. “I’m very con dent that we can treat people here safely in person in the clinic.”

Many have experienced doubt about where to go in medical situations. It’s helpful to remember that the “e” in ER stands for emergency. The hospital emergency room is for emergency situations only.

At walk-in clinics, you can see a provider without an appointment. Sanford Health walk-in clinics, urgent care clinics and acute care clinics treat urgent health needs. You’ll get treatments for non-emergency medical conditions that need care right away.

Go to the ER or call 911 for:

• Deep wounds

• Heavy bleeding

• Vomiting blood

• Chest pain

• Major broken bones

Go to urgent care for:

• Sprains and strains

• Back pain

• Cold and flu

• Fever

• Minor broken bones

Call 855-726-3329 if you’re unsure about where to go.

Pandemic visitor policies are still in place at Sanford Health locations. Sanford Health leaders urge the public to maintain personal precautions as well. “If I’m out in a public place, I’m still wearing a mask,” Cauwels says. “Washing your hands is still going to be very important.”

Accommodating those conditions should not include making a decision on seeking medical assistance based on the coronavirus. “Your health care needs are going to continue on,” Cauwels says. “It might be a mammogram or a colon cancer screening, or if you’re a kid, getting a physical for sports or an immunization. All of those things continue to be needs. We want to make sure you’re healthy and doing as well as you can be even during the pandemic. Sanford is open and ready to help you with those needs.”