Providing COVID-Safe Care
Keeping Our Patients Safe
Keeping you safe when you are in our hospital or other care locations is our highest priority, especially while we all work to eliminate COVID-19. Our team is taking extraordinary measures to provide COVID-safe care for the protection of our patients, our caregivers and the community.
What is COVID-safe care?
When you need medical care, we want you to know that we are taking numerous precautions to keep you safe and to prevent the spread of COVID.
Based on CDC guidance, we may require everyone in the facility, including providers, patients and visitors, to wear facemasks if local COVID transmission rates are high. Our caregivers continue to use other appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) along with hand washing before and after each patient.
Our normal deep cleaning processes are already intense and designed to protect people in our hospital. We are cleaning with increased frequency and taking extra measures whenever necessary.
Strict safety standards are always a top priority so that you can come to us confidently – knowing we are here for you, a safe place, and ready to provide the care you need.
COVID-19 Vaccines
Vaccines are an effective way to protect your health and to stop the spread of certain infectious diseases, including COVID-19. COVID-19 primary series vaccines are now recommended by the CDC for everyone ages 6 months and older, and COVID-19 boosters for everyone eligible ages 5 years and older.
A number of vaccines have received emergency use authorization to protect against COVID-19 and more vaccines are in clinical trials. Vaccination has been offered to our frontline healthcare workers and employees.
The best source of information about vaccine availability in our community is the local health department.
Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines
Why should I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
COVID-19 vaccines have been tested and found to be safe and very effective at protecting people – especially those who are boosted – from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and dying. No vaccine is 100% effective, but the COVID-19 vaccines available today are considered to be 66% to 95% effective. Experts also believe that after you are vaccinated and boosted, if you do get COVID-19 at a later time, you are less likely to become seriously ill. It is important to know that the COVID-19 vaccines do not contain the live virus so you cannot get COVID-19 from the vaccine.
You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines when you have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for you, when eligible. Vaccine recommendations are based on your age, the vaccine you first received, and time since last dose. People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines.
Find out when you can get your booster.
Is the vaccine safe?
The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible, including COVID-19 vaccines. The companies that manufacture the vaccines currently available, have conducted rigorous clinical trials to review and document safety of the vaccine. Data from those trials was then reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before the FDA granted emergency use authorization for the vaccines.
Are there possible side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine?
Vaccines may cause soreness at the injection site and some people may develop headache, fatigue, fever or pain at the injection site after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Side effects appear to be more common after the second does. Although extremely uncommon, there have been some allergic reactions documented after the COVID-19 vaccine. To help ensure safety, recipients of the vaccine are monitored for a short time after they receive the shot. If you are concerned about a potential allergic reaction, discuss the vaccine with your healthcare provider before you get it.
Don’t Delay Healthcare, Especially in an Emergency
Delaying care during a medical emergency can put your life at risk. Our Emergency Department safety protocols are designed to ensure you can seek emergency treatment confidently. In the event any patients come to our ER with COVID-19 symptoms, they are separated from other patients immediately. Our caregivers and all patients wear facemasks and we are taking extraordinary measures to keep our Emergency Department safe and clean.
When every minute counts.
Never delay emergency care for sudden symptoms that may indicate a medical emergency, including:
- Chest pain, shortness of breath and other heart attack warning signs
- Stroke symptoms including facial drooping, arm weakness or difficulties with speech
- Accidents resulting in injuries, burns, or possible broken bones
- Sudden or severe headaches
- Abdominal pain that comes on suddenly or is severe or persistent
- Significant bleeding
- Coughing up or vomiting blood
In a major medical emergency, call 911 and get help as fast as possible. This list of emergency symptoms does not include all emergency conditions.
Stay up-to-date on all of your routine healthcare needs.
Maintaining good health has never been more important. During the pandemic, it’s important to keep scheduling routine appointments, including visits to the doctor’s office when you are sick, annual check-ups, immunizations for children, and screenings such as colonoscopies, mammograms and other diagnostic procedures that can ensure timely treatment for serious conditions, if necessary.
Physicians affiliated with our hospitals offer in-office and telehealth appointments to keep your health on track. Visit www.lutheranhealthphysicians.com/doctors-providers or call (833) 546-4968 to find a provider or schedule a routine appointment.
Protect Yourself and Others From COVID-19
The best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to limit close proximity to other people and to follow infection prevention recommendations.
- Even if you have been vaccinated, wear a facemask to cover your nose and mouth when you are in public places or come into contact with people who do not live in your home, including extended family and friends.
- Keep your distance and be sure you keep at least six feet between yourself and other people. Avoid crowded and poorly ventilated places as much as possible.
- Frequently wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water or use hand sanitizer containing 60% or more alcohol.
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a bent elbow or tissue and immediately dispose of the tissue.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
If You Get Sick
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that mildly ill patients contact their healthcare provider by phone for guidance about COVID-19 testing and how to recover at home.
Patients who have severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, bluish lips or face should seek emergency care immediately.
Older patients and individuals who have underlying medical conditions or are immunocompromised should contact their physician at the onset of any COVID-19 symptoms, even for mild illness.
Symptoms of COVID-19
People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms. Symptoms typically appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Common symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Other symptoms have been reported. If you think you may have symptoms related to COVID-19, you should contact your physician for more information about testing for the virus and getting the care you need while sick.
Call Lutheran Health Network’s free Information Line Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at (260) 435-5050. A healthcare professional can help determine next steps. If you need to see a provider, please call (833) 546-4968 to schedule an in-office appointment or telehealth visit.
More Information
More information and facts about COVID-19 is available at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
Facts about coronavirus (COVID-19), how you can protect yourself, what to do if you are sick and more is at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Indiana State Department of Health - https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/
Allen County Department of Health - https://www.allencountyhealth.com/get-informed/covid-19/
The following authorized product-specific information pertaining to emergency use must be made available online, as directed by the Food and Drug Administration.