Central Mass. hospitals plea: Please come in for emergencies

Photo | Grant Welker Marlborough Hospital has set up a special screening area for potential coronavirus patients to keep them separated from the emergency department.

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By Grant Welker

Hospitals in Central Massachusetts and beyond have cut back dramatically on unnecessary medical appointments and procedures to keep people from potentially catching coronavirus, and to free up personnel and space for the pandemic.

Now, though, area hospitals are making a plea to the public: If you have a medical emergency, please come in for care. Patients suspected or confirmed of having coronavirus are treated in specialized areas away from other patients and staff, and hospitals have also generally required staff to wear masks throughout their shift and banned nearly all visitors.

The American Heart Association has urged on its website for people to seek emergency care if they have signs of a heart attack, stroke or other emergency. A survey of nine hospitals across the country in April — including UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston — showed the number of severe heart attacks being treated dropped by 38% in March compared to typical levels, according to the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

"While this is a trying and difficult time, and yes, we are busy in the emergency department, we are very well prepared to take care of any of your medical emergencies," Dr. Amy Costigan, the director of the emergency department at Marlborough Hospital, said in a YouTube video put out by the hospital.

"We absolutely don't want people delaying their medical emergencies, as this can have dire consequences, for your health," she said.

"Please don't be scared," said John Kelly, Marlborough Hospital's chief nursing officer and chief operating officer. "We'll make sure that we get you through the hospital for your emergency visit as quickly and safely as possible."

Other area hospitals have made similar public service announcements, including Milford Regional Medical Center and Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester.

Stroke, heart attack, pain due to a broken bone or appendicitis, or complications from diabetes or other chronic disease are some examples of conditions that require immediate attention, Milford Regional said.

“While the world around us may have changed, the definition of a medical emergency has not changed,” Dr. Jeffrey Hopkins, the medical director of emergency medicine at Milford Regional, said in a statement.