As COVID-19 continues to be present in our community, some people may wonder if it is safe to go to the hospital if they are experiencing an emergency. Here are some things everyone should know when they are seeking care. 

Is it safe to go to the hospital?

Yes. The standard procedures we have in place now at MLH are much more strenuous and rigorous than what it was during “normal” times.

We screen every single person as they walk into an MLH facility. We ask questions that indicate risk factors regarding COVID-19 and we also take everyone’s temperature.

Every staff member at MLH wears a face mask, regardless of whether they see patients or not. We’re following all the best practices for what is safe for everyone involved.

Click here to learn more about what we're doing at our physician practices, minor medical centers and diagnostic centers.

Why should people seek treatment if they are feeling sick?

The quicker patients seek help, the better chance health care workers have to help that patient. If patients are experiencing an emergency, they need to seek treatment in a timely fashion.

Health care providers like to see patients early in their illness to give the patient the best help as quickly as possible. 

Under what circumstances should people be going to the hospital?

If you think it’s an emergency, you should go to the emergency room.

This is especially important for heart attack and stroke victims. The longer those patients wait to come to the hospital, the fewer options the medical team has for intervention.

Time is of the essence for stroke and heart attack victims. If those patients wait 4-6 hours after their episodes, there are less options for the medical team to give the best care.

How will Methodist keep me safe during my visit?

As COVID-19 remains present in our community, we’re embracing new ways to care for you, including:

Health screening for all visitors and staff upon entrance to any of our facilities

Limiting visitors (more on that policy below)

Providing masks to patients and visitors

Providing hand sanitizer in all public areas

Conducting additional cleaning and disinfecting

Testing of our providers and staff who have direct contact with COVID-19 patients

Testing all patients for COVID-19 prior to elective procedures

Virtual and in-person COVID clinic to provide safe monitoring and specialized care for our patients diagnosed with COVID-19, including patients discharged from the hospital

Virtual appointments and post-operative home monitoring via telehealth

We’re doing everything we can to keep you safe and healthy while you’re in our care. As always, our providers wear appropriate PPE and follow strict guidelines for hand washing and sterilization of facilities and equipment.

Has Methodist’s visitor policy changed?

Our restricted visitor policy remains in place.

If you’re scheduled for an appointment at a physician practice, minor medical center or diagnostic center, please bring no more than one healthy support person. If you’re undergoing a procedure at the hospital, you may have one visitor before and immediately after the procedure. Your visitor will be screened upon entrance and provided a mask.

Our patient care philosophy depends greatly on engaging families to be part of the healing process and the decision to restrict visitors was made only after careful consideration.

Visit our COVID-19 Resource Center to see our complete visitor policy.

Will I be treated near COVID-19 patients?

No. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 are treated in negative pressure rooms in dedicated areas of our hospitals.

Negative pressure prevents airborne diseases, including COVID, from escaping from the room and flowing into other areas of the hospital.

After use, these rooms undergo rigorous cleaning, using ultraviolet lights to scan for droplets of the virus.