Information for Patients

Keeping up with medical care will help ensure your health in the future. Here are some steps you can take to address your healthcare needs safely and effectively:

If you are experiencing symptoms of illness, contact your primary care physician or other qualified healthcare provider. Do not allow fear of the virus to prevent you from seeking treatment.

If you are not experiencing symptoms but are receiving ongoing care or are due for a routine check-up, talk to your healthcare providers to decide when to return to care.

Your physician's office will advise you on the safest and most effective way to seek care. Note that this may include “virtual” appointments, visits to satellite facilities, or other procedures designed to limit person-to-person interaction and potential for exposure.

Healthcare facilities are taking steps to reduce the risk of community spread. As a result, some elective and non-urgent procedures may be rescheduled. Your health care provider will advise you as to whether your procedure will take place as scheduled or will be postponed.

Healthcare appointments include multiple safeguards to protect patients and staff. For example, you may have your temperature checked upon arrival, you may be asked to wait in your car rather than the waiting room until your appointment time, and you may be asked to wear a mask while in the facility. Ask your provider about the protocols prior to your appointment so you know what to expect.

If staff determine you have symptoms of COVID-19, you may be redirected to testing and evaluation prior to receiving other treatments. In addition, you may be required to take additional precautions while in the facility, such as wearing personal protective equipment and being escorted through the facility to ensure minimal contact with others.

Be aware that COVID-19 vaccinations can result in lymph node swelling, which is a normal immune reaction. However, on a medical image, those swollen nodes could be misinterpreted as a potential sign of cancer. If you have a history of cancer that occurred on one side of the body—such as in a breast or a lung—you should ask to receive your vaccination in the arm on the opposite side. Whenever you receive a scan after being vaccinated, be sure to let the physician and/or technologist know when you received the COVID vaccine and in which arm.

For additional advice and information, visit our COVID-19 Resources page and our Vaccine Resources page.