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Tips: Traveling to Mayo to get medical care safely during COVID-19

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, May 6, 2020

Medical needs don't go dormant and wait for the current pandemic to pass. People still need cancer treatment, heart surgery, diagnostic procedures, joint replacements, lung assessments, wound care and compassionate care. Some medical needs can be met through telemedicine, but certainly not everything.

Compassionate care at Mayo Clinic COVID-19

Postponing nonessential appointments and surgeries in March allowed time to increase Mayo Clinic's COVID-19 testing capabilities. Mayo Clinic hospital and intensive care capacity meets and exceeds the current projected needs for COVID-19 patients, due to a revised, smaller expected COVID-19 peak. With these important favorable developments, Mayo Clinic is ready to safely treat patients whose care was delayed, in adherence with federal and state executive orders and guidance. Mayo is also welcoming new patients, and able to offer more phone and video visits to new and established patients. Read more about the new precautions Mayo added to minimize risk of COVID-19 transmission. 

What can you do to stay safe when:

  • Going to the hospital for appointments
  • Traveling to a hospital out of your local area
  • Staying at a hotel
  • Getting food

What are your tips?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

millerbass | @millerbass | Aug 28, 2022
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@valpoguy Hello and welcome to Connect. I do share your concerns about Covid and public transportation..." + (show)
@jenniferhunter

@valpoguy Hello and welcome to Connect. I do share your concerns about Covid and public transportation as well. Would you be able to drive to Mayo Clinic or have a friend drive you there? I wouldn't recommend doing that in January and February because winters can be epic in Minnesota, and you need to be prepared with reliable transportation and warm clothing, and be prepared for survival in case of a breakdown.

Catching Covid can get medical appointments canceled. I went through surgery at Mayo on my ankle in 2020 during the pandemic, again last fall, and both times, I had to avoid people so I could stay healthy and pass the Covid tests I would get prior to my scheduled surgeries.

I have been using the N95 masks that I got at the pharmacy whenever I go into a store. I get my shopping done quickly, and have hand sanitizer in my car, although in the heat of summer, I don't leave it my car because of the alcohol content which is flammable. I wash my hands often, and when I return home.

Vaccines do help, but as you know, they do not prevent Covid infections, but can reduce the severity.

Have you contacted your primary care doctor and otho doctor about precautions and their recommendations for your health? You do have to weigh the risks of not seeing your providers and not getting medical check ups done in a timely manner. That could affect your health negatively or something can be missed that is more easily treated early.

How far would you have to travel to get to Mayo? Are some of your needs things that could be addressed locally where you live?

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I don’t need to be in the covid traveling section. i already am aware of all protective measures. I’m looking for helping care for my Father after Covid -19 Phenomena. He was in Icu at BSA in Amarillo, Tx for 2 months then transferred to Vibra recovery. He recovered and now is suffering all symptoms. He’s had all vaccines and Boosters. i greatly appreciate any helpful feedback.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 28, 2022
In reply to @millerbass "I don’t need to be in the covid traveling section. i already am aware of all..." + (show)
@millerbass

I don’t need to be in the covid traveling section. i already am aware of all protective measures. I’m looking for helping care for my Father after Covid -19 Phenomena. He was in Icu at BSA in Amarillo, Tx for 2 months then transferred to Vibra recovery. He recovered and now is suffering all symptoms. He’s had all vaccines and Boosters. i greatly appreciate any helpful feedback.

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Hi @millerbass, to connect with others recovering from Post-COVID Syndrome, please join the discussions in the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 support group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/post-covid-recovery-covid-19/

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vic83 | @vic83 | Aug 28, 2022
In reply to @valpoguy "79 yo single male canceled July appointment because BA5 was moving west. Trip total of 4..." + (show)
@valpoguy

79 yo single male canceled July appointment because BA5 was moving west. Trip total of 4 planes, six airports and numerous shuttles. I was told that contracting COVID during Rochester visit would result in cancellation of appointment to return home. Risk was too great financially and otherwise. Have four shots with fifth, Omicron-specific, soon. Would like to try again for appointment in Rochester Jan/Feb '23. But same travel would be required, doubt that Mayo could just pick up appointment schedule after a quarantine period, and unsure that this booster will be a true prophylactic with no breakthroughs. Have been in the house since Feb/20 with no primary/ortho visits, just dentist. Anyone else facing or have faced the same dilemma and what was the outcome? Looks like trading off one risk for another.

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I relate to your concerns as I have big concerns over travel too.
I am fortunate that I live in the Twin Cities so I can drive down to Mayo and only have to worry about the winter weather.
But I had lung surgery at Mayo end Dec 2021 and one month later I caught Covid despite my complete isolation from everybody, curbside pickup and N95. It was four months from first booster (second had not been authorized yet).
The only advantage of having caught Covid in February was that I did not need to test for my Angiogram/Coronary Stent procedure at Mayo in April because PCR tests continue to pick up virus even after one is well. So Mayo does not test for 90 days after a PCR positive test. But Covid situation is such that Mayo did not even want me to stay the night after my stent procedure. I stayed in a hotel nearby the first night
So many planes and shuttle changes are definitely of concern. Apart from the cancelled flight mess that is going on, I know people that have tested positive and then gotten on the plane the next day. Lots of people have no problem going out and not isolating when positive. They don't feel sick so why stay home they think.
I recently caught Covid again - in an open-air restaurant - sitting next to a person who then tested positive.
One thing to ask Mayo is - if you test positive, how many days before they would do the test or procedure after your positive Covid test. You might be able to plan around that.
FYI, since Mayo scores me as high risk, and I am on Plavix for stent currently and therefore cannot take anti-viral Paxlovid, Mayo provided me immediate alternative treatment. Fortunate for me because my local doctor could not!

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