Patient safety remains a top priority for dermatologists during COVID-19 and to help patients safely get the care they need, our staff put many new policies into place over the last year. These new policies can vary slightly due to changes in local health guidelines but in general here’s what you can expect.

Masks: Based on updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease control (CDC) for medical clinics, we have adopted the following mask policy: All patients and visitors must wear a cloth or medical type/grade paper mask that snugly fits against the side of the face, without gaps, and completely covers the person's mouth and nose.

Limit on visitors: To protect our staff and patients’ health, we are following American Medical Association guidelines to limit visitors (people who aren’t patients) during the coronavirus pandemic. Any person accompanying you to an appointment at our office will be asked to wait in the car or outside the office while you receive care. If you’re making an appointment for your child, only one parent may be allowed in the office. If you need physical assistance, or have a vision or hearing disability, please notify our office when making your appointment, so that we can make accommodations for a safe visit to our office.

Paperwork completed before your appointment: Please complete any paperwork sent to you either in the mail or online prior to your appointment to avoid any unnecessary crowding at the front desk.

Pre-screening call: To keep patients and staff safe, you may receive a phone call before an in-office appointment. You’ll be asked if you have any of the following: signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection (such as a cough, sore throat, fever, or shortness of breath), loss of taste or smell, runny nose, diarrhea, or nausea, and recent close contact with someone who was diagnosed with COVID-19.

On the day of your appointment: You will be required to wear a face mask that conforms to our policy as noted above.  Your temperature will be taken when you arrive at the office and you will be asked to answer questions about how you’re feeling. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to anyone recently diagnosed with COVID-19, you will be asked to leave and contact your primary care doctor. You can reschedule your dermatology appointment for a later date. You will be asked to practice social distancing in our waiting room. Some items, such as magazines, pens, and coffee stations, are no longer available.

More personal protective equipment (PPE): To keep everyone safe, all medical staff wear PPE, which may include face masks, face shields, gloves, and disposable gowns. To keep you safe, dermatologists and their staff are also monitoring their own health. Any staff members who have symptoms of COVID-19 must leave the office and contact their primary care doctor. Staff are exceeding Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OSHA) guidelines in keeping the entire office clean and sanitized. 

Exam room cleaned and sanitized: After your appointment, the exam room will again be cleaned and sanitized before the next patient is seen in that room.