Bret J. Rudy, MD, senior vice president and chief of hospital operations at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn, writes in Bklyner that now is the opportune time to seek medical care, and that some recent studies have shown a delay in care is leading to complications or death.

“From all that we have been through, one defining issue has emerged: during the height of the pandemic people avoided the emergency department and other clinical settings because they were afraid of catching COVID-19, potentially forgoing care they desperately needed. Studies have shown delaying medical care was ultimately not worth the risk,” Dr. Rudy writes.

“What unfortunately was not clear to patients during that period were the extensive measures taken—in all clinical settings—to ensure safe patient care environments.”

Read more from Bklyner.