Seeking proper medical care is important, even during a time of social distancing. Having COVID-19 in our community doesn’t mean you should put off going to the doctor for necessary medical care.

“Our fear, and what we have seen in some cases, is that patients are afraid to seek care for worsening or urgent medical problems,” said Heidi Jackson, M.D., a surgeon with Kootenai Clinic General Surgery. “In these situations, patients do eventually come in for care but with more severe and complicated disease. For example, a patient with early appendicitis can be easily treated with an outpatient appendectomy. A patient who presents late with appendicitis likely requires inpatient care and has the potential for other associated medical problems. While we all think it is important to practice social distancing, even in medical care, we want to encourage patients to seek care when they need it.”

Putting off treatment could land you in an emergent situation which can be easily avoided by seeking care earlier. If you think you may have a severe illness, infection, or injury, contact your doctor’s office, urgent care, or emergency department. Hospitals, urgent cares, and primary care offices are all still open to see patients for non-COVID-19 related illnesses, and are taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of disease and protect both patients and staff.

Many medical offices in our community now provide telehealth options. This allows patients to meet with their provider remotely via video chat or over the phone. If this interests you, contact your provider’s office to discuss what options are available.

“We encourage telephone and telehealth options, but not all care can be managed this way,” Dr. Jackson said. “The health of our patients and community is important to us. We want to encourage our patients to call in with medical concerns, come in to clinic if necessary, and ultimately seek more urgent care if they are unwell. We are committed to the safety of our patients and are taking precautions in the setting of COVID-19 to minimize patient risk in all areas and aspects of their care.”

If you need care promptly but don’t feel like it is an emergency, going to an urgent care is a good option. Kootenai Urgent Care is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. They recommend scheduling appointments online or via telephone before going to one of their locations. Kootenai Urgent Care also implemented “car waiting.” Once you arrive for your appointment, wait in the designated parking area and call the number listed on the sign to inform the front desk of your arrival. You can stay in your car until a room is ready, eliminating the use of the waiting room and risk of virus transmission.

To help ensure you feel safe, and to help prevent the spread of illness to others, here are a few tips from the CDC regarding doctor visits and medication pick-up:

• Talk to your doctor online, by phone or email. Use telemedicine, if available, or communicate with your doctor or nurse by phone or email.

• If you must visit in-person, protect yourself and others. If you think you have COVID-19, let the office know in advance and follow guidance.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when you have to go out in public.

• Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

• Use disinfecting wipes on frequently touched surfaces such as handles, knobs, touchpads (if available).

• Stay at least 6 feet away from others while inside and in lines.

• When paying, use touchless payment methods if possible. If you cannot use touchless payment, sanitize your hands after paying with card, cash, or check. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home.

• Limit in-person visits to the pharmacy.

• Plan to order and pick up all your prescriptions at the same time.

• If possible, call prescription orders in ahead of time. Use drive-thru windows, curbside services (wait in your car until the prescription is ready), mail-order, or other delivery services. Do the same for pet medicine.

• Check with your doctor and pharmacist to see if you can get a larger supply of your medicines so you do not have to visit the pharmacy as often.

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Kootenai Health and the Panhandle Health District are actively working to share information about COVID-19 with our community. You can find the latest updates and ways to protect yourself at cdc.gov/covid19. If you have questions about COVID-19 or think you may have the virus, call the Panhandle Health District COVID-19 hotline at 1-877-415-5225.