UPDATE 5/27/20: Staring June 1, 2020, we will restart allergy shots by appontment only to allow for adequate social distancing and minimize waiting room crowding. Allergy shot hours are limited to Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings by appointment only at this time.
We are open every weekday morning, but our afternoon hours are still variable on a day-by-day basis. We anticipate being back to normal business hours by June 22. Elective surgery has resumed on a very limited basis.
HEPA units are present in all patient areas including all exam rooms.
UPDATE 5/11/20: Elective surgery has resumed on a very limited basis. Patients whose surgeries were cancelled in the past 2 months due to the pandemic have priority in terms of elective surgery at this time.
We are open every weekday morning, but our afternoon hours are still variable on a day-by-day basis. Allergy shots are still on hold.
HEPA units are present in all patient areas including all exam rooms.
UPDATE 5/1/20: Office appointments are no longer limited to time-sensitive, urgent, and emergent medical conditions. However, we are limiting the number of appointments in order to reduce exposure and facilitate social distancing in our waiting rooms. We require anyone and everyone who comes into the office to wear facial masks as well as to not have any COVID symptoms, otherwise the appointment may be cancelled. We also continue to offer telemedicine visits. Allergy shots are still on hold at this time. Only previously scheduled then cancelled elective surgeries will be slowly rescheduled starting May 11, 2020.
Be aware that we are open every weekday morning, but our afternoon hours are variable on a day-by-day basis. HEPA units have been installed in all patient areas including all exam rooms.
ORIGINAL POST 3/20/20: On March 20, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery put out a global statement to all ENT physicians to limit patient care activities to only those individuals with time-sensitive, urgent, and emergent medical conditions.
As such, our office will immediately curtail services and limit clinic hours to abide by the recommendations made by our profession's governing body. All elective surgeries have already been cancelled until further notice. Allergy shots will no longer be administered until further notice.
We WILL continue to see patients in the office by appointment only for time-sensitive, urgent, and emergent medical conditions which would include throat cancer, neck mass, abscess, trauma, sudden hearing loss, acute ear or sinus pain/problem, dizziness, newborn tongue tie causing feeding problems, significant pain present, etc. Our office will be open to see such patients every weekday morning, but will close in the afternoons which are reserved for telemedicine visits for non-urgent ENT medical issues.
Examples of non-urgent issues for which telemedicine visits can be arranged but office appointments will no longer be allowed (unless causing significant distress) include earwax, chronic tinnitus, allergies, nasal congestion, chronic headaches, chronic cough, etc. Through telemedicine, we can also evaluate for any immune deficiency concerns that can put you at high risk for more severe COVID-19 illness.
Please keep in mind that our office lacks the ability to test for COVID-19 and other URI illnesses. We also lack N95 and full PPE. As such, anyone with cough, fever, or shortness of breath will not be allowed an appointment and will be instructed to see their Primary Care Physician. If very ill, patients should go to the ER.
The complete statement by the AAO-HNS is as follows:
"Based on the most current compilation of information, the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery is recommending that all otolaryngologists limit providing patient care activities to those individuals with time-sensitive, urgent, and emergent medical conditions.Read some simple things you can do at home to minimize COVID-19 spread around yourself and loved ones beyond the well-known steps of washing hands frequently, stay home, avoid touching your face, maintain social distancing, cleaning surfaces routinely, wearing a mask, etc.
It is important that members of the medical community unite and work with the general population and regulatory agencies to minimize the risk of the SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission from human to human in order to limit the development of new cases. This strategy provides the best chance to not overwhelm facilities with a limited supply of hospital beds, ICU beds, ventilators, and other critical supplies. Additionally, until disposable medical supplies and protective equipment become more available, we must conserve these for use where they are needed most.
The Academy strongly recommends that all otolaryngologists provide only time-sensitive or emergent care. This includes both office-based and surgical care. The Academy recognizes that “time sensitivity” and “urgency” is determined by individual physician judgment and must always take into account each individual patient’s medical condition, social circumstances, and needs. We must respond to the pandemic crisis and support our colleagues and communities. Please be safe!"
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