Don’t delay needed care
To Our Valued Communities:
The last few months have been a time of uncertainty in our state, as the COVID-19 outbreak impacted all of our lives. We know that concerns about the virus have led many people to put off getting the care that they needed for other symptoms and health conditions.
But waiting for care — not just for serious symptoms like chest pain, seizures or signs of stroke, but for health needs such as treatment for chronic illnesses, family planning and immunizations — can have serious, long-term effects on your health.
Throughout this situation, all of MultiCare’s services — outpatient clinics, hospitals, urgent care clinics and virtual care — in both the Inland Northwest and Puget Sound regions have been ready and available to care for everyone, no matter what their illness or injury. In fact, most of the patients we’ve seen during the last few weeks have not been related to COVID-19 in any way.
On May 20, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee issued an updated proclamation about safely expanding non-urgent medical procedures and services. Based on the guidance in the proclamation, hospitals and health care organizations may now provide a full range of care – emergency, urgent, elective and routine – as long as PPE and surge capacity requirements are met.
I am pleased to share that MultiCare meets, and will continue to meet, those requirements. We are actively working to reschedule postponed surgeries, procedures and tests, and are also encouraging patients to contact us with new health concerns and for preventive care. Since many MultiCare providers are now performing virtual visits, you may be able to be seen by your own provider without needing to come into the clinic.
Simply put, your health needs — all of them — are important. And MultiCare is here for you to meet those needs. So, please, if you have a new or ongoing health concern, don’t wait. Get care now.
