UAB Hospital and Ascension St. Vincent’s say people shouldn’t stay away from the emergency room if they need treatment.

Erik Hess, interim chair of the UAB Department of Emergency Medicine, said one unfortunate result of the coronavirus pandemic is that people are scared to go to the emergency room, even if they need emergency care. The UAB hospital system’s three emergency departments - in Gardendale, Highland Hospital and the main UAB Hospital - have taken precautions to prevent the possible spread of infection, he said.

“We are seeing patients with heart attack, stroke or other significant health issues delay getting medical care for fear of contracting the virus," Hess said.

Ascension St. Vincent’s hospitals and emergency rooms are also open and prepared for patients, officials say, no matter what a patient’s condition may be.

Both hospital systems say they are not seeing as many patients in the emergency departments with mild illness suspected to be due to COVID-19, as they are being diagnosed at testing sites and by their primary care providers. However, the departments are seeing patients who come in too late to get potentially lifesaving care for stroke or heart attack.

“Don’t let your fear of the virus keep you from coming to see us," Hess said.

Timothy Bode, chief clinical officer for Ascension St. Vincent’s, said staying home isn’t a risk people should take with their health.

“Timely treatment is critically important for achieving the best outcomes and lessening the risk of complications,” Bode said. "We are prepared and set up to safely treat patients who require emergency care. No patient should delay their care in an emergency.”

UAB, for example, says patients arriving at any UAB Emergency Department are provided with masks upon arrival, and are screened for COVID-19 symptoms. Patients with symptoms are kept apart from patients without symptoms. The waiting areas have also been reconfigured to help maintain social distancing of six feet, and all staff wear masks at all times.

Hess said no emergency physicians have contracted COVID-19 at work since the hospital instituted a policy early in the pandemic that all providers wear masks.

“Everyone who works in an ED is involved in maintaining a clean and secure facility, from nurses and physicians to our environmental services employees, registration staff, chaplains and patient care technicians,” Hess said. “The emergency department is a pretty safe place right now as far as COVID-19 is concerned.”

Ascension St. Vincent’s has immediate screening in place at all ER entrances so that anyone presenting with symptoms similar to COVID-19 are isolated upon entry from all other patients. UAB Hospital has also created special units for COVID-19 patients, so patients who come in through the emergency department and need to be hospitalized for non-coronavirus issues have no contact with COVID-19-positive patients.

“We have been aggressive with proper hygiene, social distancing, use of personal protective equipment and other steps to keep our staff, and our patients, safe," Hess said.

Ascension St. Vincent’s is encouraging those who have pre-existing conditions to continue routine care and call their primary care provider or specialist first to discuss whether an online visit is an option. Patients can also talk to a doctor through Ascension Online Care, which offers video visits for urgent care using smartphones, tablets or laptops. No insurance is required.