Should I go to CT s...
 

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[Closed] Should I go to CT scan

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Local hospital rang yesterday to confirm CT scan for Tuesday, apparently my scan is still one they want to do.

Background is my leg was badly broken last year, last month it had still not fused together. This scan is last chance to avoid operation to remove all metal work and start again. I assumed it would of got cancelled what with one thing and another.

Do I go or ask for delay?

No high risk people in household all below 42. No one has symptoms

My wife is horrified of the thought of going into a hospital at this time, I’m very relaxed about it, but certainly wouldn’t want to be the cause of any illness in our house

 
Posted : 17/04/2020 12:17 pm
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I went for a pet scan last week and still here.

 
Posted : 17/04/2020 12:20 pm
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I would have thought (hope?!) the hospital would have weighed up the decision, but would it be worth phoning and explaining your concerns?

 
Posted : 17/04/2020 12:23 pm
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Of course you should go, why wouldn't you?

 
Posted : 17/04/2020 12:28 pm
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Go - they wouldn't have confirmed it if they didn't think it was safe. You aren't going to a Covid ward or being dealt with by staff working on one.

If you postpone it till restrictions are lifted, you'll be in the queue with 3 months worth of other patients by then

 
Posted : 17/04/2020 12:30 pm
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I went for a blood test at my local cottage hospital yesterday, I felt in a far safer environment than the Tesco megastore where I left my car parked.

I would expect far higher levels of hygiene in a hospital outpatient department than the local supermarket.

 
Posted : 17/04/2020 12:37 pm
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Go, they will have looked at your case and deemed it necessary and appropriate that you do. Was in a big city centre A&E on Monday for while and as above, very carefully managed environment in terms of both capacity and hygiene. PS. Radiology most likely not near any 'hot' wards/areas and probably very quiet.

 
Posted : 17/04/2020 12:40 pm
 DezB
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I went to the local minor injuries unit yesterday. Was amazing! I was the only patient in the hospital and got seen within 5 minutes.
Best time to go, I reckon. Otherwise, you have no idea how long you'll wait.

 
Posted : 17/04/2020 12:40 pm
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My sister is a radiographer doing CT scans. Her current opinion is if you go to hospital, expect to get it. CT scans are being used extensively on COVID patients. Personally I'd ask for a delay. It's also dependent on which hospital but I think most are feeling the pressure now in key departments.

 
Posted : 17/04/2020 2:13 pm
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I'm in an 'at risk' group, and I've been going to hospital at least once a week for podiatry as, on balance, it's better that I go than don't. The last 5 times I've been, post lockdown, I've been the only person there not working in the clinic, and the hygiene protocols are off the scale.

If they ask you to go, it's because you need to go and not going could lead to serious issues later, I imagine especially so if it's your leg not fixing properly.

 
Posted : 17/04/2020 2:37 pm
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Her current opinion is if you go to hospital, expect to get it

I'm not sure about that. My mate is a physio working in the local hospital. So far 1 physio has it out of dozens..And they are constantly in the hospital, in close proximity to others.

I'd not be that keen ongoing myself if it's not essential, but I'm sure the risk is still minimal.

 
Posted : 17/04/2020 2:44 pm
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I’ve just spent a few days in Bristol Children’s Hospital (as a parent, not a patient) and I would say if you are going anywhere where there’s lots of people, like say, the supermarket, you’re much safer in a hospital in the non-Covid bit. They know how to do PPE with impressive discipline in those places.

 
Posted : 17/04/2020 3:05 pm
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I went to the local minor injuries unit yesterday. Was amazing! I was the only patient in the hospital and got seen within 5 minutes.

I hope WCA hasn't seen this he'll be topping up the loyalty card! 😉

 
Posted : 18/04/2020 11:03 am
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Her current opinion is if you go to hospital, expect to get it

Can we just cut this crap. We know people are dying because they are putting off medical intervention.

 
Posted : 18/04/2020 11:09 am
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Is this worrying attitude that will lead to other types of death.

As has been said many times by the chief medical officer, the NHS is still open for business.

They wont let Covid patients walk wildly around the hospital coughing in people's faces.

You also have to put some perspective on this (and so do many others) that the chances of catching it are appearing to be less (The reproductive rate isnt as high as 1st thought) and then the chances of dieing from it is small, circa 1% (overall) so for no underlying health conditions and relatively young there is far far far more chance of surviving.

Also as has been mentioned, probably more likely to get it at Tescos!

That's also the problem with the numbers in the media, they focus too much on deaths rather than survivors. Yes you can easily calculate it but people dont do that themselves, they focus on the headline.

 
Posted : 18/04/2020 11:25 am
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My sister is a radiographer doing CT scans. Her current opinion is if you go to hospital, expect to get it.

You're going to get it anyway sooner or later - we all are likely to eventually, perhaps many of us won't even notice The strategy is to not all get it at once. You're not in an at-risk group - its highly unlikely you'll be effected in a way that would put strain on public services and they're asking you to go. So go. Follow the right protocols if you do get ill subsequently.

 
Posted : 18/04/2020 11:35 am
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If they've scheduled it I'd go. Wife is a Radiographer & they have kept one of the CT scanners for non Covid patients, ie cancer/compromised patients. They have been able to isolate the scanners to avoid cross contamination, even using different entrances etc. Non of her team (23) have come down with it yet. Obviously hospitals all differ, if you have concerns give the department a call, they will be in a better position to advise you. Good luck with your leg.

 
Posted : 18/04/2020 11:44 am
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Well since this all began I’ve had an MRI and yesterday I went for an X-ray. Was initially supposed to be a CT but apparently an X-ray would do. I was in an outpatient area rather than in patient. I’d say go. There will be controls in place in the hospital so make sure you allow plenty of time.

You still need medical care for this and I don’t think a scam represents much of an additional risk.

 
Posted : 18/04/2020 11:57 am
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Yep, I'd go.

Well, I have been going into Bristol Royal Infirmary for near weekly checkups for the last couple of months owing to having a taylor frame on to hold together my tib & fib while it heals from a fracture. From the sound of things one of them could be a future option for you if it doesn't heal.

As above, the non-covid parts of the hospital are taking every precaution. There's security on the door and no visitors are allowed in so it's much quieter, and with all non-urgent stuff cancelled

They use a separate x-ray room than covid patients so that's all fine, and there's copious hand sanitizer.

As above I feel much safer there than tescos.

 
Posted : 18/04/2020 12:20 pm
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Was chatting to my wife (a hospital doc) about this kind of thing yesterday. What I took away from it is:

- the non-covid bits of the hospital are very carefully managed to reduce infection risk.
- if folk keep putting off 'elective' stuff while the capacity is there then there'll be a really damaging run on hospital resources once the lockdown is lifted.

In your situation I'd definitely go.

 
Posted : 18/04/2020 12:36 pm
 TomB
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I work in A+E. I would definitely go. Take sensible precautions around hand washing and physical distancing. They will likely give you a mask to wear while in the department, and you will be separated from COVID areas.

 
Posted : 18/04/2020 12:40 pm
 db
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Go, you will be fine, shopping is probably a higher risk for you.

Wife, both daughters and son all NHS workers none have got it/had it as far as we know (none have been tested).

What I can say is you will regret delaying. I have only ever seen people wish they went to hospital sooner, not met one person who is pleased they delayed attending.

 
Posted : 18/04/2020 12:42 pm
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Go. There was an NHS chap on TV the other day saying the NHS is still 'open for business' and not all NHS staff are dealing with COVID urging people not to be scared or put off using the NHS if needed. Clearly non-urgent or essential procedures are being delayed an you shouldn't have been going to A&E for that stubbed toe before COVID so certainly don't go now, but other than that business as usual so unless they have cancelled your appointment you should go.

As has been said above no point saving lives from COVID at the expense of all the other stuff the NHS deals with normally.

 
Posted : 18/04/2020 12:47 pm
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My cousin went in to have her appendix removed, she was worried about picking up covid too. She can back out on Thursday and said how the staff were being ultra careful to keep covid patients away from non-covid parts of the hospital and that it was deathly quiet.

I wouldn't worry, just explain your concerns to the nurses and they'll put your mind at rest. Otherwise they wouldn't keep your appointment!

 
Posted : 18/04/2020 12:50 pm
 poah
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then the chances of dieing from it is small, circa 1%

between 4-10% of dying from covid with the current numbers but that doesn't take into account people that have it and are not tested.

 
Posted : 18/04/2020 3:45 pm
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between 4-10% of dying from covid with the current numbers

Actually it is at least 10x lower. Approximately 3% of the population of similar countries (Netherlands and California) appear positive for previous COVID exposure. When you extrapolate to UK reported cases, about 95% or more of cases are not being reported. The proportion of deaths from all cases is approximately 0.3%, but may be as low as 0.1% (Californian study). This is for ALL deaths, we also know that only 1/10 of those deaths are for previously healthy individuals.

I hope you went.

 
Posted : 18/04/2020 6:54 pm
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Last night my wife lost a family member to Covid who was admitted to hospital for something else. May just be coincidental but would worry me.

 
Posted : 19/04/2020 1:21 am
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OP ring the hospital if you have concerns. I know our Trust is ringing every patient before their appointment to explain the process.

At our place it’s 1 in 1 out as in you turn up at the allotted time and are greeted and taken straight in, no sitting around and waiting.

We have clean and dirty areas of the hospital. Very few (if any) patients are walking in with COVID. Yes their is risk but as has been said above, prob far less than going to do your weekly shopping

Oh and if you do ask for a delay, COVID will be about for many, many months how far were you accepting to delay, and therefore is your condition really that bad ?

 
Posted : 19/04/2020 7:44 am
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Having a leg that may have not fused properly is quite important. Go.

 
Posted : 19/04/2020 10:13 am
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Rang them up for some reassurance and they confirmed my consultant has had to request the CT scan. They fully explained they have spaced seating, plenty of hand sanitiser, isolated from Covid area etc. As someone said above, I’m in the probably safer than going shopping category.

 
Posted : 20/04/2020 3:15 pm
 benz
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Similar-ish issue. Called by my GP surgery on Friday to go and have blood sample taken as Urologist noted slightly increasing PSA levels and would like to have an MRI of my Prostate completed.

PSA level had increased from 1.2 > 1.4 in the 4-ish months between most recent tests, so well within normal levels I believe, but slight increase nevertheless. I am in my 53rd year.

I'm heading to GP surgery tomorrow to have blood sample taken, but I must admit to being slightly nervous about it...given sample cannot be taken at distance....

 
Posted : 20/04/2020 3:42 pm
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Go you plonker!

 
Posted : 20/04/2020 4:18 pm
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I went for a blood test at my local cottage hospital yesterday, I felt in a far safer environment than the Tesco megastore where I left my car parked.

What he said, it'll be the cleanest, most well protected place you go this week.

 
Posted : 20/04/2020 4:27 pm

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