Has anyone had to send their loved one to the ER during Corona Virus?

My 95 year old Mom had a UTI almost every month for several years. Most of the time it was a ER visit, anitbiotics and back home. She would be become almost delusonal and it was very scary. About 2 years ago I took her to a gynocolgist bladder specialist. She actually did an exam on Mom and then put her on a very small dose of an antibiotic every day. She has not had a UTI since then. Good luck

Dear Pacifist,
I work in an ER & the likelihood of your Mom catching Covid 19 from taking her there is pretty slim, do to the sterilization/cleaning techniques we’re implementing since this virus has come about. I would be more concerned about the UTI spreading into her kidneys & her cognitive issues because of it. Don’t they have an Overseeing Physician who makes monthly rounds for the patients there? They could send a “clean catch” Urine Sample to the lab & evaluate it for infection & blood, so the Staff Physician could call in an Rx, without having to take her anywhere. Good Luck in dealing with this.
Sincerely,
BTDT (Been There, Done That!)

We have just had this situation in our family. My cousin’s wife collapsed last week and was taken to ER in the largest hospital in our capital city. She was diagnosed with MS years ago, they ruled out a couple of things and discovered a UTI. She has been in the hospital for a few days and has tested negative for C-19. He gets to see her for a few hours each day and has kept in touch with staff over the phone. For a couple of days she was on a vent and was weaned off this morning. Prognosis is she will be there 10 days. I believe they are both 69-70. The hospital is doing everything they can to keep the patients and few guests they allow safe from the virus.  Temperatures are taken at the door and you need to answer the list of questions before you can enter. Most of the entrances are lock so you are limited to where you can access and enter. My nephew is on dialysis and has to go monthly for testing, my SIL gets a call a few days before and they have to answer questions and then get their entry & parking instructions for the visit. They are assigned their time for a blood draw and an exam room so there is no sitting in waiting rooms, they arrive and go right into the assigned freshly sanitized room.

May 11, brought mom to Er, not sure what was going on. Phone call 2 hours later saying she needed emergency surgery for twisted bowels. My mom told the doc, she would have the surgery but only if I was able to come see her. I was able to stay with her for 2 hours while they waited for her covid test to come back. They took her to surgery about 6.
I saw my mom again, in person, a month later.

Pacifist, I'm so glad to hear that your mom is doing better!

I had to take my husband to an ER non Covid related issue. The ER was set up for quick triage for Covid immediate symptoms (fever, SOB). Hubby had no symptoms so he was sent right back, was seen, treated and out of there on 6 hours.
I could not accompany him.
I was quite pleased with how the visit went.
I am proud of my little community hospital here in Maryland and their ability to provide care. We have a low Covid rate here.

My husband went. They wouldn't let me in. The regular ER and suspected Covid patients are kept apart, with staff that doesn't enter the other portion. He was fine.

My answer is not Novel Coronavirus related, BUT does your mother keep pure cranberry juice and otc AZO on hand to prevent U.T.I.s? My late mother got frequent U.T.I.s and as a result, she kept the pure cranberry juice on hand and always cured herself - saving a hospital trip.
Now I certainly do understand that in your mother's case, it may be too late for those suggestions if she already has a U.T.I.

You have some good answers and solutions on here but just in case, the protective procedures they have at the doctors offices and the hospital are very good. My aunt had to be hospitalized and she was actually on the same floor as COVID floor for 3 days and she did not catch it. My family doctor told me that he felt safer in the medical practice than at the grocery store because they keep everything wiped down good and wear masks and everything the professionals instructed so don’t let your anxiety level increase. Oh, and a good friend had emergency heart surgery and he is back home well. Another friend’s Dad just came home after 2 weeks in the hospital and they all were tested before being released negative. So IF she has to go to the hospital, don’t panic. But, you will not get to go in. That is another reason the hospitals have it under control as far as catching it IN the hospital. Sending good wishes for your mother.

Another thought - encourage an appropriate amount of fluids if you can (but beware that TOO many fluids can also cause issues - washes out the electrolytes and reduced potassium because mom was drinking too much at home resulted in confusion - she wasn't showing dementia signs yet when this happened. Overnight stay with IV fluids,she was back to her nasty self in short order!)

I have suspected a few UTIs in myself, and managed to get through it without medications. Elders, esp those with dementia, will need Rx, but the fluids do help flush the infection too.

UTIs can be treated in the home. The lab comes to the home to get a urine sample. The RN comes out to the house to put in the IV. The pharmacy delilvers the IV medication. The caregiver (me!) administers the IV antibiotics. I've done this over 6 times now. It's easier on the patient than the hospital.

Yes. Just had this happen with my Mom. She ended up having both UTI and COVID. She was in hospital 26 days but pulled through at 91 yrs of age! She also us a diabetic with Alzheimer's. I'm so grateful for God watching over her and for the care she received at the hospital and nursing home. Hardest part was not being able to visit but the hospital set up an Ipad so I could watch her. Good luck with your mom.

Yes, my dad. Our first experience with a UTI in the elderly and did not understand the mood changes and confusion. Called for an ambulance when we could not get him out of bed and he was unresponsive to our presence. He was in the hospital for 5 days and, of course, we were not allowed in to see him. Was difficult as he thought we had just dumped him off at the door! He is back home now. Did not catch COVID. He is, however, on a catheter for life as his bladder is no longer functioning. That was a month ago and he now has another UTI, probably from the change out of catheter last week. We are aware now that when his behavior changes, he probably has a UTI. We did take him to the local doctor to confirm diagnosis and get him back on antibiotics. Doctor did say if he was not better in 48 hours to take him back to the hospital. Hope we caught it in time to avoid that. Sounds like we'll be going through this, as you are, for the rest of his life.

No ER visits thankfully for our mother. She's in MC in an IL/AL/MC facility which has been on strict lockdown for quite some time. So far, so good, no cases for residents or staff. We are in a more remote area, but there are still cases popping up. Thankfully they had started doing "remote" samples on-site when possible before this virus (i.e. blood draw, urine samples.) Last I knew this was only maybe once/week, so it could delay treatment.

She also gets Mac Degeneration treatments 4x/year. The place is a long drive (not a lot of places do these, and it was in the area we had lived for years, but move to MC made it a long trip!) and requires we transport. The medical facility delayed her visit one month (April -> May) and then instituted strict protocols to enable them to continue necessary treatments.

For OP (or anyone else in similar situation), you are aware that she has UTIs often. I would recommend you purchase some OTC UTI test kits and check her on a regular basis - don't wait for the tell-tale signs, as it would already be running in her system. Also, those "signs" can change over time. Mom's first UTI after moving to MC resulted in severe sun-downing (she'd never had those before.) The next 2 showed up as night time bed wetting.

If you test her, maybe once/week or every other week, you could catch these sooner. Most likely she would need to have a real urine test done (culture is best) before Rx, but if doc is good/responsive, he could order Rx after you get positive test and also order a sample to test (hopefully they get sample before you start the meds!) This way the UTI would not get out of control and require a hospital or even ER visit/stay.

Even better would be to have her on a longer course of medication. One urologist told me that if UTIs were frequent, it would need maybe a 3-6 month course of antibiotics (in either case, be sure to include some good "biotics" in her food as antibiotics can mess up the digestive system!)

So, ask doc if you can do these regular test and get quick response if you detect a UTI. Best to nip it early and avoid the need for ER or hospital stay altogether, with or without worries about the virus! You don't mention dementia, but if she has this, the back and forth to ER/hospital can wreak havoc as well!

My FIL has been recently taken to the ER. We both wore masks, and then I could not be in the hospital. I had to wait either outside, or, in my case since I live close, I went hone and awaited the doctor's call. My FIL ultimately was hospitalized for over a week, and continued to test negative for Covid-19. We were able to visit him in the hospital as well.

My husband, Covid positive, has been sent twice in a month to two different ER's. Both trips were unnecessary. Three weeks ago he was transferred from his memory care facility to a special nursing home wherein EVERYBODY is Covid Positive. He is positive, but "a-symptomatic". Last week, after being in the ER for nine hours straight, I got a call from the ER at 10:00 p.m. asking ME "Why is he here?" I went through the roof. He's being dragged all over the place. I have not been able to see him since March 4. Can't get the straight scoop on him from workers, and I'm supposed to know why he's in the ER? I said to the worker, "Now how would I know that? I was told he can't walk". She said, "He walks fine. We're sending him back". Our system is horrible. The sad thing is, no one cares. My initial depression (which I've expressed on this platform before) has turned to anger. And there's not a single thing I can do.

Yes, I have and I'm in Florida. Had no problems. But if possible always good to check with a health professional.
My dad fell, so I really had no choice. But good experience for what it was. Luckily, no broken bones at 95 and I got respite.
Dad is now in nursing home for rehab, but possibly long term. We are working on him coming home & staying there. Lots to consider on either end of the equation.

@Rose2020- We live in MD. Such a crazy time we're in. I'm grateful for this forum and you all. Yea, my mother had been acting strange for a couple days, almost like a stroke, but not. I called her primary care and they said take her to the ER, this was May 4th. I didn't want to do that, but I didn't know what else to do. Well, she ended up having a UTI and COVID. She's been in the hospital ever since. The WBC is finally coming down. It is scary because she has some dementia. We are allowed to do FT every other day. But she's still kinda out of it. No visitors allowed. We are relying on God, He is our hope.

You Dr. or NP/PA could send RX to pharmacy without Mom being seen. ONCE isn't malpractice/neglect considering how serious C-19 is.

If your area has a surge in cases, call your doctor first. She has a history of UTI's & can probably treat her via Telemedicine or have you collect a urine sample.

Do not let it wait. UTI infections can travel to other organs such as bladder.

June 6, my mother had a fall in memory care unit, hitting her head and needed ER evaluation. I explained that she was unable to answer reliably and they allowed me to attend to her. (mask of course)... my cousin, in another city, was allowed in ER when her mom had UTI and aspiration pneumonia- but not when she was admitted to hospital at that same time (late may- for a 10 day stay). Recently that mom broke her hip in a fall, and my cousin was allowed to stay with her for that episode (a different hospital)... I was sent a link, and have misplaced it, sorry, but that said to explain concerns with dementia, and risk of deliriums if not attended by someone familiar. The article went on to explain the risks of deliriums and how detrimental they can be, and compared our elders with dementia to children needing a parent's presence- how they'd never expect a child to go through Er without mom or dad.... My mother, after her fall, was admitted for observation due to sub-dural hematoma. However, ER staff had observed her agitation and then response to my being there and emphasized to the hospital that she needed family beside her (Yay!) Good luck!

The ex partner of my bro had to go into hospital through the ER. He tested negative twice in hospital, had to have gallbladder surgery. From there to a rehab where he quickly got covid, and back to hospital. In hospital 10 days plus, now back in rehab. In 70s. Did not need ventilator. I have not known anyone in my elder friends/family who got it in hospital, but do know several who got in in rehab facilities. I think that you know you basically had no choice.

The systems around here are trolling for patients who have been avoiding the ER for the very reasons you're thinking. Doing commercials, running ads...business is down in the "non-profits". The other day we had an issue with my mom we'd not encountered before and I really was thinking there was no choice for us but to call 911; but I called the MD (who responded the NEXT day) and while "waiting" things settled down. I would do what you can at home to avoid it. I.e. have the nurse assess, put her on some antibiotics...

Yes, I had to take my sister here in Texas to the ER for a UTI plus another problem on May 28, 2020. They allowed one visitor with her. She had to be admitted to the hospital. Again, she could have only one visitor at a time. Policies differ at hospitals here. I just happened to take her to the only ER and hospital near here that was allowing a visitor with the patient. Unfortunately, her condition is such that she had to be discharged to a nursing home. The hospital social worker helped me by giving me information on several in the area. I happened to select what seems to be a good one. Unfortunately, I can not see her in the nursing home but the home calls me daily with reports and news. The nursing home is now helping me with Medicaid application while she is there under Medicare long term care (Medicare has only a limited number of allowed days for life). When those days are used up, then she will never have more Medicare long term care days left to take. I have been stressed at the situation but staff everywhere at all places she has been have tried to help and provide good care. As it turns out, the nursing home does now have a coronavirus patient and a staff person with the virus. The staff person is at home and the patient has been put in isolated. All patients and staff have been tested multiple times (almost daily) with swabs. So far, my sister does not have the virus.

Yes, my mom had a UTI and pneumonia over Mother's Day weekend. She spent 3 days in the hospital getting IV antibiotics. The hospital she went to was wonderful and tested her several times for covid-19. She did not have it; did not get it; and was released back to AL with a clean bill of health. Don't hesitate. The hospitals and medical professionals know what they're doing. Prayers for your mom's continued health.

Yes just here on the 4th. She had another stroke and have been so concerned about her health now. She is very compromised with Diabetes, heart disease, brain surgeries, yet another stroke (TIA), and so much more.

Call the hospital ER direct, explain your situation, and asked for their help on how you should bring in your LO and what will happen when you get there.

If your urine is cloudy , smell bad you experience pain going to bathroom or have light fewer so it might be a UTI.Should not wait to see doctor.UTI can be fatal.

Yes in the middle of night in March in nyc , my 88 yr old mom.. she tested positive for virus and was hospitalized for 5 days and then home sick for 6 weeks.. my anxiety was thru the roof and I wAs ill also

Yes...My mom has chronic intestinal blockages, due to scar tissue build-up in her midsection area. Head really been a learning curve, as to how to handle this and when it's necessary to get her to the E.R. asap.
She had am episode that I knew would need medical care to correct and I know how you feel. I was horrified. Of all the awful timing, right in middle of a pandemic. :0( very frightening. More so for me, I think, than mom.
I was allowed to be with her, both of us with masks on, in E.R. but then they had to take her mask off, to put hose through nose, and down into gut to ciphen-off yucky stuff that was not going through, due to the blockage. I was in despair. I do all our errands and everything for us, out in the public. I only go when it's, completely necessary, and always wear a mask. When I come home, always sanitizer in car before entering home again and again inside house, before touching anything inside. Anyway, very careful and cautious, but at E.R. all my efforts went right out the window when moms mask was removed. I cried behind my own mask and prayed a lot when she was finally admitted and taken to third floor for 4 days. They let me come yuko send get her settled in, which wad more than I expected them to do. But then I was asked to leave.
Itwas scary and hard to do add my mom suffers with memory troubles and dementia. I am always by her side to get her anything she wants or needs, but head to leave her with them.
Theywere ALL very professional and safe with her care and in constant contact with me, regarding her status those 4 days.
It'sfrightening but I can tell you, at some point, all you can do is your very best, then turn the rest over to
Papa-God. Nothing takes Him by surprise. :0)
I felt guilty leaving her there, but I also had an English/Comp II term paper due... so the time to laser-focus on something other than my precious mom was needed and appreciated.
My thoughts are so with you.
God be with you friend. Hugs.
Kk