Tennova Healthcare Urges Patients to Not Delay Emergency Care

4/30/2020

KNOXVILLE, TN (April 30, 2020) – Tennova Healthcare is urging our local community to seek emergency care when needed – without delay. If you experience a medical emergency such as stroke symptoms or chest pain that may be a heart attack, a timely response will support the best possible outcome.

Even with a limited number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in our community, Tennova hospitals have implemented precautions to protect patients and staff, including screening all patients for symptoms and risk factors, requiring all visitors and team members to wear face coverings, and encouraging proper social distancing. Cleaning and disinfection are emphasized in caregiving areas and throughout all Tennova facilities.

Tennova’s network of hospitals in East Tennessee that offer fast, quality emergency care include: Jefferson Memorial Hospital, LaFollette Medical Center, Newport Medical Center, North Knoxville Medical Center and Turkey Creek Medical Center. The hospitals’ accredited Stroke Centers meet strict national standards that support better outcomes for stroke care, treatment and rehabilitation. Additionally, the accredited Chest Pain Centers at North Knoxville Medical Center, Turkey Creek Medical Center and Jefferson Memorial Hospital are among the first in the region and are designated to improve patient care and safety by decreasing the time to treatment for heart attack.

Tennova is supporting the latest campaign by the American Heart Association (AHA): BE CERTAIN IN UNCERTAIN TIMES. The AHA is working to remind everyone that heart attacks, strokes and cardiac arrests don’t stop for COVID-19.

Heart Attack Signs and Symptoms

• Chest discomfort
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body
• Shortness of breath
• Other possible signs include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
• Women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain. Some women are more likely to experience shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.

Remember to Act F.A.S.T. During Stroke

• Face drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb?
• Arm weakness – Is one arm weak or numb?
• Speech difficulty – Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand?
• Time to call 911 – If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get them to the hospital immediately.

Cardiac Arrest

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart malfunctions and stops beating unexpectedly. Within seconds, a person becomes unresponsive, is not breathing or is only gasping. Survival depends on getting immediate CPR.

Heart attack, stroke and cardiac arrest symptoms are always urgent. Don’t hesitate to call 911. Emergency medicine teams know what to do to protect and care for you.

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