If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be wondering what your options are for seeing a doctor if you don’t have COVID-19. Hospitals and ERs are preparing for and managing a very contagious virus, and you want to do your part to help flatten the curve.
But if you were injured in a car accident, you should still be able to seek medical treatment. Instead of going to the ER, consider going to a car accident doctor at a car accident clinic instead. Here’s how accident victims can be treated for their injuries during the outbreak.
Avoid the Hospital If Possible
As long as your injuries are not life-threatening, consider avoiding an emergency room if possible. At this point during the pandemic, hospitals are experiencing a large influx of potential cases of COVID-19 and treating those battling the serious virus. Hospitals are having to dedicate floors and wards for coronavirus patients to try and mitigate the spread of the virus.
Current COVID-19 regulations and restrictions mean you will need to be screened before even entering the emergency room or hospital and triaged accordingly. This may delay your ability to receive treatment right away, and you risk exposure to the virus while waiting to enter.
Hospitals are also restricting visitors to avoid the spread of the virus. You may not be able to bring anyone else with you as you receive treatment and discuss your options. Additionally, wait times may be longer for non-life-threatening injuries as doctors and nurses prioritize the influx of infected patients.
Visit a Car Accident Clinic Instead
An alternative to going to the hospital is to visit a car accident clinic near you instead. These specialty clinics are staffed with fully licensed medical professionals, including car accident doctors like orthopedic doctors, neurologists, physical therapists, and chiropractors who can all participate in the treatment of someone with a car accident injury.
Because hospitals have had to postpone many low-risk and elective surgeries to handle the influx of COVID-19 patients, you may experience a delay in necessary treatments. A car accident clinic is equipped to provide treatment for a wide variety of auto injuries and is specially set up to do so.
Accident clinics are also taking precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. If you have been injured in a car accident and are not experiencing any of the known symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, coughing, shortness of breath, or extreme fatigue), visit one these facilities to receive the same care and treatment in a safer environment under the care of specialists.
Car Accident Specialists
At a car accident clinic, you can expect to meet with doctors who strictly work with accident victims. These doctors are well-versed in diagnosing and treating injuries such as whiplash, concussion, sprains, strains, and other ailments.
Whiplash and concussion are both common car accident injuries and they can both present with delayed symptoms. This means you may not even experience strong pain or discomfort right after your accident and may think you are fine. It is important to get checked out by a car accident specialist after an accident so they can properly assess you for any hidden injuries to begin treatment as soon as possible.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Doctors at a car accident clinic have access to the same diagnostic tools as those at a hospital, often with far more immediate scheduling and results. Especially when considering injuries to the neck or spine, it is important to use advanced diagnostic imaging tools to thoroughly scan for injuries.
Car accident doctors with AICA Orthopedics have the same access to state-of-the-art technologies and diagnostic options as hospitals do, including MRI, X-ray, and CT scans, right in the office. These tools can help identify injuries with delayed symptoms by thoroughly scanning your bones, muscles, and soft tissues.
The medical team at AICA can provide a diagnosis, treatment plan, and follow-up appointments all in one convenient location. With social distancing and other protective measures being implemented across the country, you can rely on visiting one location to meet all your needs and lower your risk of exposure. Contact AICA Orthopedics today to discuss the best plan for you and your family so you can get the treatment you need in the safest way possible.
