LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A Las Vegas doctor says COVID-19 may be part of the reason emergency rooms have seen a decrease in patients getting treated for serious medical emergencies, like strokes and heart attacks.
13 HELPS: Coronavirus Resource Guide
“There are a lot of people who are staying home, but should be in the emergency department,” says Dr. Cole Sondrup.
In the past month and a half, Southern Hills Hospital says they’ve seen an increase in people coming in with respiratory issues, and a decrease in other serious conditions.
“We’re not seeing a lot of people with chest pain, we’re not seeing a lot of people with abdominal pain anymore, for whatever reason we’re seeing far fewer strokes,” says Dr. Sondrup.
This is cause for concern for Dr. Cole Sondrup, the Emergency Department Medical Director at Southern Hills.
RELATED: Las Vegas nurse makes miraculous recovery, beats coronavirus
Dr. Sondrup says a lot of people are staying home for too long, and by the time they come in, they're too sick for treatments to work.
“In some cases, it means things are getting worse, and they’re not seeking emergency care until they absolutely need it, or in some cases, until it's too late,” says Dr. Sondrup.
Dr. Sondrup believes the decrease in patients might be tied to the fear of going to the hospital and possibly being around COVID-19.
However, Dr. Sondrup says the hospital is one of the cleanest and safest places you can go.
“The people who come in and talk to you clean their hands every time they walk into a room, and every time they walk out of a room,” says Dr. Sondrup.
STAY UP TO DATE: Continuing coverage of the coronavirus pandemic
