Gene Ma, MD, FACEP
Chief Medical Officer/Emergency Physician
Tri-City Medical Center
Heart attacks. Strokes. A ruptured appendix. Cancer. These are not new to us in the emergency department. What is new is the looming health crisis created by a delay in seeking care due to COVID-19. Healthcare providers across the country are witness to the devastating impact of seeking care for illnesses far too late. In one state alone, deaths from heart disease have increased by 398% and deaths from diabetes by 356%! This has prompted universal warnings from organizations such as the American Heart Association, California Hospital Association to our San Diego County Public Health Officer.
It’s important to note that whether it be your local physician’s office or the hospital, protocols are in place to ensure your safety. From extra precautions, restricting entry of non-essential personnel and vigorous daily screening of all staff to universal masking and testing of all patients for COVID-19, Tri-City Medical Center has created a safezone to protect you while in our care.
Don’t put off getting your medications refilled. Make sure to see your doctor regularly. Don’t take a chance by delaying that test or much-needed surgery. Seek emergency care when you need it. Please take care of yourself, we’ll handle the rest.