Hospitals in Arkansas are working together to prepare for and face the challenges posed by the novel coronavirus – and the illness it causes, COVID-19. We encourage all Arkansans to take measured, proactive steps to safeguard not only their own health but also the health of their neighbors and of the wider health care system.
Arkansas’s hospitals are more than acute care centers; they are also our communities’ local specialists in emergency response, preparing for the unexpected and supporting Arkansans in times of crisis and uncertainty. Infection prevention and control systems are in place year-round, and all hospitals and health systems are required to conduct regular preparedness drills to ensure that we are always ready to provide care, no matter what the circumstances. Our hospitals’ extensive preparations for the COVID-19 outbreak are well underway. We are benefitting now from other large-scale infectious disease events of the past decade that have tested and strengthened our readiness and emergency preparedness systems.
Most individuals who contract COVID-19 will experience relatively mild symptoms, but some patients – especially older individuals and those who have other diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, or respiratory disease – are at high risk of complications and may need hospital-level care. For our response to this outbreak to be the most efficient and effective it can be, hospitals must be able to deliver expedient care to those in need of it, protect the most vulnerable patients, and keep our hardworking health care providers healthy. Therefore, we encourage individuals to manage their symptoms at home and to go to a hospital’s emergency department only if they are experiencing a medical emergency. Individuals who do seek care at a hospital should call ahead and should also notify staff about their symptoms and concerns as soon as they arrive.
Access to testing for coronavirus is currently limited to individuals with the highest risk and most severe symptoms. Hospitals are coordinating with the Arkansas Department of Health and are building connections with private laboratories to have high-priority patients receive testing, if appropriate. While widespread testing is not yet available, patients should call their primary care provider if they have health care concerns.
During this time of uncertainty, we urge Arkansans to be especially mindful of steps that they can take to lessen their chance of illness. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend common-sense precautions, such as: staying home if you are sick, except to get necessary medical care; avoiding contact with people who are sick; covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue; avoiding touching your face; cleaning frequently touched surfaces; and regularly washing hands with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
Prevention measures such as these will help keep people healthy, protect higher-risk individuals from becoming exposed, and will slow the rate of infection across the population. Slowing the rate of the epidemic will be crucial to ensure that the health care system has the capacity to meet the increased need.
As more information is made available about this rapidly evolving situation, Arkansans are encouraged to pay attention to their local hospital’s communications and to authoritative, evidence-based guidance from ADH and CDC.
Arkansas has a long history of rising to meet challenges caused by epidemic disease. In these difficult times, we all must come together to cooperate as a state, safeguard the public's health, and protect our most vulnerable citizens. Hospitals are the heart and hands of many of our state’s communities, and we take this role very seriously. We are proud to be part of a statewide community of support and care that faces challenges as a united front. Your hospitals are here for you.