A doctor at Life Robinson Private Hospital said that although the Covid-19 pandemic is having an unparalleled impact on people’s lives, social distancing and lockdown should not prevent anyone from seeking medical attention, even if unrelated to Covid-19.

According to Dr Charl van Loggerenberg, Life Healthcare’s General Manager: Emergency Medicine, members of the public should continue consulting their general practitioners for chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, hypertension and other illnesses.

“Medical conditions such as these require ongoing monitoring and care. The basic principle of early intervention in order to reduce the risks of more serious complications still applies.

In the event of a medical emergency, the public should not stay away from the hospital’s emergency unit.

“If someone is having a heart attack or stroke, being diagnosed and treated quickly can significantly improve the chances of recovery. The fear of Covid-19 exposure or infection should not prevent people from seeking urgent medical attention at the hospital’s emergency unit.”

Dr Van Loggerenberg added, “Anyone experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, or who has sustained serious head or other major injuries, loss of consciousness, coughing up or vomiting blood, poisoning or drug overdose, severe burns or other medical emergencies, or who has severe Covid-19 symptoms should get to the nearest hospital’s emergency unit as quickly as possible.”

He did, however, urge the community to phone the emergency unit beforehand where possible, particularly if you are experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms.

This will ensure that staff can prepare to get you screened and your medical condition treated as quickly and as safely as possible.”

He said all patients coming to the emergency unit are screened routinely for Covid-19 symptoms, and are provided with a mask to help maintain the health and safety of their patients and caregivers, and prevent the spread of the virus. In addition, emergency-unit nurses, doctors and staff all wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and follow stringent clinical and infection-prevention protocols that are aligned to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) guidelines.

According to Dr Van Loggerenberg, patients suspected of having been exposed to the virus or experiencing Covid-19 symptoms are taken to a separate designated area for care.

“If they meet the NICD testing criteria, they will receive the necessary emergency care, including being tested for Covid-19. If well enough to do so, they will be sent home to self-isolate whilst waiting for the test results. Should the emergency care require hospital admission, the doctor will have the patients tested for Covid-19 if appropriate, and they will be cared for in an isolation unit within the facility.

“Additionally, Life Robinson Private Hospital, along with all other Life Healthcare hospitals across the country, has resumed necessary surgeries following the relaxation of the hard lockdown that served to manage the spread of Covid-19.

A hospital Covid-19 doctor and management task team and committee are in place to continually review and monitor the Covid-19 situation.

“Our staff and doctors have all received guidance as to the process and steps required for safe patient admissions. This guidance is based on the input received from numerous medical professional societies, pathology groups, Life Healthcare hospital Covid-19 committees, supporting doctors as well as international best practice.”

He said doctors, who are independent healthcare professionals and are not employed by the hospital, are responsible for managing the criteria and indications for admission of their patients.

“Patients will receive instructions from their doctor about the admissions process, infection prevention, and safety requirements. Where indicated, testing will be funded by the patient’s medical scheme according to scheme rules.

Life Healthcare will continually review the situation at each of its hospitals in order to assess the risks as well as to identify and share best practice in the interests of doctors, patients, our staff and supporting service personnel.”

Life Robinson Private Hospital urges members of the public who are concerned that they may need Covid-19 testing to please phone or consult with their general practitioner, or contact the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) on the following support numbers: NICD WhatsApp support line: 0600 123 456 OR the NICD 24-hour hotline: 0800 029 999/ 0800 111 132.

Important hospital information to be aware of:

The following key measures have been put in place for the safety of patients, doctors, staff and visitors, and to limit the spread of infection, in accordance with best practice infection-prevention standards:

1. Infection-prevention measures at doctors’ consultation rooms may include:
• Spacing between waiting room chairs
• Frequent hand-sanitizing
• Healthcare workers using face masks and shields, gowns and gloves
• Restrictions on accompaniment to consultation rooms
• Special consent form regarding the unusual circumstances and increased overall risk linked to the Covid-19 outbreak
• More frequent telephonic rather than in-person consultations

2. All persons entering healthcare facilities are screened routinely to identify present signs and symptoms of Covid-19 infection to establish the risk of exposure

3. Visiting hours and access are restricted to all Life Healthcare facilities

4. Universal masking: all healthcare workers, employees, outsourced services and persons entering/ admitted to the facility are required to wear a mask at all times

5. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided to all employees and doctors in line with clinical standards. Employees are trained on the appropriate use of PPE

6. Social distancing is enforced throughout all areas of Life Healthcare facilities

7. Environmental cleaning is done according to infection-prevention standards; surfaces are disinfected regularly

8. Only essential access is granted to third-party service providers and supplier representatives

9. Individual risk assessments are conducted on any exposed personnel to guide the prevention of transmission

10. Continuous education is provided to community members regarding the importance of hand hygiene, cough etiquette and maintaining social distancing as effective measures to limit the spread of infection