COVID-19 Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Chicago Medical Society
Ted Kanellakes

Poll: 85% Of Chicago Area ER Physicians Exposed To Covid-19

A Chicago Medical Society poll of its member physicians reveals 85% of Emergency Medicine specialists say they have been exposed to the Coronavirus strain COVID-19.

The preliminary survey data from approximately 1,100 physicians unveiled Tuesday by the Chicago Medical Society underscores the health risks for physicians and healthcare providers on the front lines of treating, diagnosing and caring for a surge of patients in Chicago-area hospitals and health systems.

Chicago physicians are working with hospitals to improve the safety for physicians and healthcare workers and the results underscore the need for further cooperation. CMS’ hope is to work collaboratively with hospitals to address the COVID-19 pandemic and bring physician ideas and concerns to the hospitals so that they can be addressed.

The ongoing survey also revealed one-third of physicians from all specialties polled have indicated that they have been exposed to the Coronavirus strain COVID-19 and 93% of physicians worry that they will be exposed to the Coronavirus strain COVID-19.

As the state continues to build on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic by freeing up hospital capacity in Illinois, physicians are working with hospitals and other stakeholders to implement emergency plans to handle an overwhelming surge in the number of COVID-19 patients.

Heeding the governor’s request, Chicago-area physicians have stopped non-emergent tests and procedures. Meanwhile, physicians are practicing outside of their specialties to treat an unprecedented number of patients while learning new technologies, like telehealth, and coming out of retirement to treat sick patients.

The survey comes as Chicago-area physicians express concern to policymakers in Illinois about the need to shield frontline health professionals from civil liability arising out of treatment related to the deadly novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The survey’s other findings include:

• 93% of doctors surveyed worry that they will be exposed to the Coronavirus strain COVID-19 at their hospital.

• One-third of the doctors surveyed indicated that they have been exposed to the Coronavirus strain COVID-19.

• 85% of Emergency Medicine specialists surveyed indicated that they have been exposed to the Coronavirus strain COVID-19.

• 77% of doctors surveyed say they do not believe their hospital has sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as protective clothing, masks or other equipment designed to protect physicians from infection.

Founded in 1850, the Chicago Medical Society is one of the oldest and largest medical societies in the United States. But our mission remains as vital as ever. In addition to improving public health locally, CMS’ programs educate physicians of all specialty areas while encouraging professional interaction and unity. The Society’s grassroots advocacy benefits all 17,000 physicians in Cook County.