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This was published 4 years ago
Critically ill patients risk their lives to avoid hospital visits
People are having heart attacks at home instead of going to emergency departments amid fears they will overburden hospitals, while others who are chronically ill are forgoing potentially lifesaving pathology tests.
Cancer diagnoses and monitoring of immuno-compromised people with chronic health conditions has declined, medical experts warned, as Australia's pathology sector recorded a 40 per cent drop in routine testing in recent weeks.
Adrian Caramia.Credit: Chris Hopkins
In one case last week, a Victorian man stayed at home for five days with severe chest pain. He suffered a life-threatening heart attack and required emergency resuscitation.
He later told doctors he did not go to hospital sooner because he “did not want to be a burden to busy hospital staff”.
“The message we really need to get out to the public is that we have the capacity to look after sick people and they are not over-burdening us,” head of trauma anaesthesia at The Alfred hospital, Associate Professor John Moloney, said.
"We know there are patients already staying home with heart attacks because they don’t want to be a burden. If a person needs acute healthcare, they should absolutely get acute healthcare. We want people to know that we are here and ready to treat them."
Professor Moloney, who has expertise in disaster response and emergency medicine, said presentations at The Alfred were down by more than 50 per cent: a trend reflected in all hospitals across Australia as frontline workers gear up for a potential influx of critically ill coronavirus patients.
While a decline in road trauma was to be expected with less people on the streets, Professor Moloney was concerned those suffering acute medical events, like heart attacks, were putting their lives at risk by delaying seeking medical help with public health messages urging people to “stay home to save lives” inadvertently discouraging them from going to hospital.
A spokeswoman for NSW Ambulance said the service was experiencing a "marked increase" in calls.
Professor Moloney said patients being admitted to The Alfred's intensive care unit were sicker than they were this time last year and suspected it could be due to some presenting to hospital later.
“There is a perception that we are drowning in work, but right now, there have never been more empty intensive care beds in Victoria,” Associate Professor Moloney, who is also acting manager of the field emergency, said.
“One of the key reasons people are allowed to leave their homes is to get medical care if they need it.”
Adrian Caramia has type 1 diabetes, chronic kidney disease and lifelong health issues tied to his battles with prostate and pancreatic cancer.
The 74-year-old has been self-isolating at his large property in Melton South since the pandemic swept Australia.
"I've basically got no immunity from anything," Mr Caramia said. "If I got COVID-19, that would be the end of me."
Mr Caramia relies on five routine pathology tests each year to monitor his health conditions, but like many people at high-risk of contracting the deadly virus, he is anxious about going out.
He does not leave his home without gloves and always maintains social distancing.
"My GP gave me my flu injection in the car last week," he said. "It weighs on my mind heavily that I could catch it, but I will still attend my appointments when I need to. It is a matter of life and death for me, so I need to keep on top of it."
Dr Debra Graves, chief executive of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, said more than 60,000 Australians were not getting the pathology tests they needed every day with some people missing their appointments because they were fearful of catching the virus.
“We’ve seen a significant decrease in testing across the board from testing for cancer, diabetes, to heart, kidney and liver disease, which is really concerning," Dr Graves said.
Dr Graves stressed it was still safe for Australians to undergo their routine tests, while anyone who notices symptoms like chest pain or lumps in their breasts, should request an appointment with their GP for a referral.
“Pathology providers are experts in detecting infectious diseases,” Dr Graves said. “They ensure that all parts of the organisation follow best practice to minimise COVID-19 infection risk. This includes collection centres where strict hygiene, appropriate distancing and separation measures are in place.”
Telehealth consultations were available for patients vulnerable to COVID-19 and clinicians able to request pathology at those appointments.
If you or anyone you know needs support call Lifeline on 131 114, or Beyond Blue's coronavirus mental wellbeing support service on 1800 512 348.