By Pete Voss, MD, chief medical officer, IU Health East Central Region—
Dear community,
IU Health Ball is experiencing high volumes of sick patients in need of inpatient hospital care, as are hospitals up and down the I-69 corridor. This includes an all-time high of COVID-19 positive inpatients.
Now more than ever, your vigilance is needed. Please continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing and prioritize hand hygiene; your actions play a pivotal role in preserving the health of your community.
Our emergency department is extremely busy in this current state. To help ensure that our patients are receiving the best care possible, we encourage you to use the general guidelines posted below (image graphic) to determine whether you should go to your doctor’s office versus the emergency room.
If you or a loved one feel you are showing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please call ahead to your doctor, a nearby hospital or health department, or use IU Health’s free virtual screening clinic (https://iuhealth.org/covid19/virtual-coronavirus-screening) so medical providers can be prepared to receive you and avoid exposure themselves.
If you are experiencing symptoms that call for a primary care visit, you can find a physician at iuhealth.org/find-a-doctor or call 1-888-IU Health. Same-day appointments are often available.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911. And remember that our ED is always open.
For individuals being cared for in the ED, please remember to be a patient patient. If you are receiving great care, please tell your nurse or the charge nurse. If you need something additional or find you have been waiting a while for a request, please use your call button to ask the nurse or nurse manager for a follow-up.
Thank you to our community, patients, guests, team members and leaders for your diligence and support during this time of extreme high volumes.
Pete Voss, MD is chief medical officer, IU Health East Central Region
