Covid19 Update June 6, 2020
Well, it seems the lockdown is now extended till June 30th,2020. Being on the 5th floor of a large medical center without a direct outside door makes things difficult. My associate and assistants are working to make the best of things. We are able to receive some limited protective equiptment, but currently will not have what is required should the lockdown be lifted and things start to soften up. We ask that if you have infectious symptoms, get testing done. (see info below)
We are employing medical guidelines in the office to see our pediatric and pregnant population as well as some non infectious but urgent cases. Social distancing measures are strict in our office, but we have no control over the common spaces in our medical building. We advise all visitors to wear a mask for everyones safety. We are working virtually for the most part, and returning most messages in a timely fashion. We are unable to address routine visits, paperwork, and non urgent matters until after the lockdown.
Waiting room chairs have been removed. Protective shields installed and we do not allow any visitors apart from the patient and primary caregiver or parent. If you should need to be assessed, we ask that you come on time, wait in the car if you are early. Our assistant will contact you the day of your appointment and perform a covid screen. If you are very late, your appt will be rebooked to a time where you can be accomodated safely, and to maintain the safety of those that are being assessed. We require time between appointments to prepare and clean room, personnel, equiptment and regown if necessary. This is for the safety of everyone including your physician who hates to admit that he is in the highest risk group to suffer covid side effects. Please do not bring any food, loose items or papers into the office. Visits are time sensitive, and we will not be able to address long lists of complaints without pre arranging and screening for appropriate allotment time, as was the case in the past. Please do not ask our physicians to render advice on behalf of other specialists in your circle of care. It is best to speak directly with their offices.
We have been successful at keeping medications prescribed by our physicians flowing. PLEASE CONTACT THE PRESCRIBING PHYSICIAN IF A MEDICATION WAS NOT PRESCRIBED OR IS BEING SUPERVISED BY YOUR SPECIALIST. This is important to maintain your treatment goals going. There are shortages and most pharmacies are dispensing a thirty day supply. We have a large vulnerable elderly population in our community of care that is a priority at this time.
We are developing new ways and thinking outside the box on how to best get caught up with the backlog of routine care covid has produced. If your child needs immunizations. please call us soon. We are innovating new ideas on how to monitor ongoing health problems. Home blood pressure machines, electronic thermometers, scales and even oximeters that measure oxygenation and your pulse are available to the public. Please consider getting one for a loved one soon. This is invaluable for handling phone calls. Please unblock you home number on appointment days or if you are expecting a call back. This has been a problem ongoing. This is an excellent time to reach out to your family and elderly shut-ins with a quick call to let them know you are thinking of them.
It has been a long journey so far, but do not allow fear to predominate your thinking. It will make other health issues worse. There are many resources available on the internet, see below. We will continue to be here for you!