IU Health asks parents to rethink COVID-related ER visits

Dr. James Bien said more often than not, it's not an actual emergency.

Action to fix a reoccuring problem at iu health arnett hospital.

He says students are coming into the emergency department with covid symptoms after being sent home from school.

The doctor says more often than not, it's not an actual emergency.

I spoke with him and a local school superintendent to see what's being done to stop it.

Nat door closing bien "we are starting to see people show up in our emergency department with non emergent concerns, even not an illness concern."

There's a growing problem at the iu health arnett emergency department.

Bien "it's natural for people to seek out the care that's quick, but it's not set up to handle these type of questions."

Chief medical officer dr. james bien says there's been an increase of students being seen for covid symptoms. he says it's happening once they're sent home from school.

Bien "it slows down the process for people who have other concerns."

Bien says it's been happening multiple times a day since school started.

Bien "it puts additional pressure on our ability to care for people that really have emergent concerns."

Most of the time, he says the patients are wanting to be tested for covid-19.

But that's not something offered in the emergency department.

Bien "doctor's notes, routine testing are best handled in other formats."

To stop the problem before it got worse, bien sent a letter to all local schools.

He says it was to educate staff and parents on what to do if you suspect your child might have the virus.

That includes contacting your primary care physician first---especially ot an actual emergency.

Huddle "i believe the only way we would suggest they go to the er is if it's a very severe case.

Hopefully they wouldn't come to school with that anyway."

Lafayette school corporation superintendent les huddle says, ultimately, it's up to the parent.

Huddle "an appropriate adult will come and get them, and then that parent can make that decision."

Bien says if you do decide to bring your child in, and they aren't in distress, you might be there for a while.

Bien "more intense issues get seen before those do, and so you end up waiting."

I also reached out to the tippecanoe and west lafayette schools about the letter.

Superindent rocky killion says he's not aware of it.

However, the district is following cdc guidelines.

Tsc says they encourage families to call their primary care physician if a child has symptoms - not to go to the er.

Franciscan health says if someone has mild symptoms or may have been exposed to covid, it is important to call a primary care physician, urgent care or testing site.