As flu cases surge across Michigan, Corewell Health urges patients experiencing mild symptoms to seek alternatives to emergency rooms, which are currently inundated with longer wait times. According to a report by ClickOnDetroit, the healthcare provider has even emphasized this message on their website, warning visitors of the extended delays and suggesting other same-day care options for non-severe cases.
Dr. Charles Gibson, Chief Medical Officer at Corewell Health, mentioned the strain on emergency services during an intense flu season, with influenza positivity between 25 and 30 percent. "Unfortunately, a lot of people are utilizing the ER for some of these cases of how they're feeling. And it's not always necessarily the best place for them to go," Gibson stated, as per the WSBT report. The health system's website guides patients with moderate symptoms against going to the ER, where resources are stretched thin.
For those wrestling with a decision about where to seek care, Gibson advises that "the best thing is try to make sure that your symptoms match your settings so that you go to the right place so that you don’t have to wait if you're not that ill to require an emergency department." He added that virtual care options are available at Corewell Health to meet patients where they're at. This statement was detailed in an Audacy report.
