OUR OFFICES ARE OPEN AND WE ARE OFFERING TELEMEDICINE APPOINTMENTS TO NEW AND EXISTING PATIENTS. We are taking precautionary measures and making changes that will be adjusted as the situation evolves. Many of our patients have immune problems and/or are on immune suppressant medications, we need to help everyone stay healthy and safe. We ask that you please change to a telemedicine appointment if: 1) You have been sick with COVID-19. 2) You have been in direct contact within the last 14 days with a person that has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or that has the symptoms of COVID-19, or someone that may have been exposed to the virus.  3) You have had within the last 14 days fever, sore throat, congestion, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, or a loss of sense of smell or taste. 4) You prefer to avoid coming to the office.
If any of these apply to you, please remain home, call your primary care provider and call our office to change to a telemedicine visit.  If you have an in-person office visit, please be aware that we have added enhanced screening, personal protective equipment, disinfection processes and social distancing to ensure the health and safety of our patients and care team. We ask that you wear a mask and sanitize your hands when you enter the office. Please only bring another person if that person is essential for your assistance and safety during your visit. Additional resources: Arthritis Foundation: https://arthritis.org/about-us/news-and-updates/coronavirus-and-arthritis-what-you-need-to-know http://blog.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/arthritis-and-coronavirus/ Creaky Joints: https://creakyjoints.org/living-with-arthritis/coronavirus-questions-immunocompromised-patients/ American College of Rheumatology: https://www.rheumatology.org/announcements Johns Hopkins Rheumatology COVID-19 Information for Rheumatic Disease Patients |: https://youtu.be/5UHS_CZzFJU CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance patient experience survey https://rheum-covid.org/patient-survey/  We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we all do our part to remain safe and healthy.