FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Fresno’s Community Regional Medical Center issued a warning on Tuesday asking those who need medical attention not to arrive at the hospital’s emergency room unless it is necessary.
Hospital officials released a graphic with the warning, detailing what ailments needed to be seen in the emergency room – and which could instead be seen by urgent care or primary care doctors.
As part of the warning, Community Regional Medical Center announced that it is experiencing extremely high numbers of patients – stretching the capacity of its emergency department.
Patient safety is of the utmost importance. We are working to quickly address the capacity challenges across our system, but we are also asking for the public’s help.
Community Medical Centers
In a further statement to YourCentralValley.com, Dr. Jeff Thomas with Community Regional Medical Center said that there is not one cause behind the high patient volumes.
We are seeing patients at Community Regional Medical Center who have more severe symptoms and require more complex care, resulting in higher patient volumes and limiting our ability to discharge patients in our normal timeframes.
Jeff Thomas, M.D., VP, Chief Medical & Quality Officer
Hospital staff add that they are working to ensure all their patients get the right care when they need it.