Everybody will be aware that there are increasing delays with appointments. Many are now telephone appointments. I have recently had some face-to-face (should it be mask-to_mask?) ones. What I am aware of is that a number of people are not turning up for fear of contacting CovID. There are strict protocols in place with distancing, PPE, and disinfection of equipment and surfaces.
I would urge anyone who is going to do this to let the doctor/hospital know in advance so the slot can be allocated to someone else. However, if you have been allocated a face-to-face there is probably a very good reason to go.
Keep safe, keep well...
Written by
MichaelJH
Heart Star
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Rather safe then sorry. I bought 5 face masks N95 ones in my Spar and BP Garage yesterday. If I had to go to hospital for a desperate reason or even in a crowded shops where people don't care, at least I have something for now to protect me!!!
💜
By the way, what do you mean by a monitor fitted, heart pace maker???
I had a last minute phone call from the hospital to attend the cardiac outpatient department on Wednesday to have my treadmill & echo tests to hopefully get my HGV license back. HA & 2 stents beginning of February, after some intelligence from a friend's partner who works there I emailed the general enquirys address to ask if this could be brought forward from the initial estimate of "sometime around August". This was good advice as it did the trick - I got the call. Plenty of people in & around the hospital, all staff had masks, I was offered one on entering the cardiac unit. I was amazed the number of people who came in & didn't take one. At one point there were 8 of us sat there, correctly distanced, with only me & 2 others with masks on. Walking out after my tests mainly the younger ones not wearing masks.
I've an appointment for a cardiac CT Scan on Monday. I must admit I was very uneasy about going and wondered whether to change it or not. After getting conflicting advice from various people I rang the hospital and was able to speak to a radiographer. She was really helpful, answered my questions and put my mind at rest. She also said to ask for a mask at the reception desk.
This galvanised me into action, out came my sewing machine again and I'm now in production making masks for my family, with matching laundry bags no less!
I've now got a plan of action for my visit to the hospital, probably totally over the top, but it's making me feel happier! My husband is looking on the trip as a holiday, we've not had the car out for 8 weeks.
Check the car before. A few people have been greeted by flat batteries. A local supplier has been busy fitting new batteries "at home" with distancing.
Thanks. My husband had bought an Intelligent battery charger, don't ask me! Anyhow, apparently all under control. 🤞🤞
Good thread & good tips all round. I had my initial heart echo cancelled at the height of lockdown, then it was rearranged to a ‘green’ mini-hospital a few weeks later.
The radiographer wore full PPE, mask, visor, scrubs, gloves & added plastic aprons. There was a nurse making everyone hand sanitise at the entrance, & doing a temperature check. I wore a mask, as did everyone in the waiting room.
I was very careful on leaving, more sanitiser, touching as little as possible in the car. When I got home, I left all clothes, bag, shoes at door & showered & washed hair immediately, per nurse suggestion. I also cleaned my mobile phone & keys etc.
There may be a risk of going to scans & such, but I figure it’s a lower likelihood than the risk of leaving a heart situation unmonitored! And only fair to free up the appointment if we’re nit going to go !
How interesting, wonder if it’s just individual difference or if it depends on region etc. I wasn’t offered a mask, I took my own. This was London, uk. I have pericarditis (on top of a fixed hole-in-heart) and I’m told pericarditis gives a higher risk for complications if I were to get covid.
What was your echo for, and where (only if you don’t mind comparing)? Some of it may be about individual risk appetite. I think the chances of catching covid are now relatively low for me, but the implications are nasty, & I am a risk averse type !!
My echo was to see how my Heart Failure is after a year on Entresto (it hasn't changed ) only ectopic beats have gone from a High Burden to almost next to nothing.
Whilst with the Heart Failure Nurse I had 3 consecutive ECGs which gave her concern so she ordered an Echo as an urgent procedure !!
During the ECG I said I was feeling OK and her response was your ECG doesn't agree with that !!! Hence the Echo. I have another next month in Bournemouth along with a Cardiology review. It appears on 7.5mg Bisoprolol my Heart rate should be under the 70 or so beats it is maintaining along with the 90/60 blood pressure or the 160/85 which Entresto should hold at the lower levels. Oh well onwards and upwards as they say .
Stay Alert and Stay well
in reply to
You've made me feel better TealGreen! My plan of action includes a sheet over the car seat which can be washed as soon as we get home. I've also planned to strip off, put clothes straight in the washing machine and shower as soon as we get home. Maybe make hubby do the same, what do you think?!
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