A letter to the community

Let me first take this opportunity to thank you, the public, for sheltering in place. Your patience and perseverance have been instrumental in flattening the curve. It was this group effort that prevented the hospitals from being overwhelmed, the clinicians to improve on treatments, and is now allowing the hospitals to continue to serve the community.

Now that society has begun to ease restrictions and slowly open back up, I wanted to take this time to ease your fears and reassure all of you that the Emergency Department is a safe place.

We as healthcare providers took an oath to first, do no harm, and following with that, we have taken every precaution here at Touro to prevent any increased possibility of exposure to the coronavirus. Our staff is well trained in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and we have set up and instituted protocols to ensure that all rooms are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between patients.

Not only that, but we have been screening patients at the door from the beginning, and we have instituted a new process where if a person has symptoms suspicious of the coronavirus, they will be moved to a uniquely equipped unit for testing and treatment. This allows for specialized care for you if you are symptomatic, but also minimizes your risk of being exposed if you are not.

There are many other steps that have been put in place to ensure the safety here at the Touro Emergency Room. We know that emergencies don’t stop, and we want you to know that you are safe here with us.

- Dr. Ryan Bird, Medical Director, Touro Emergency Department