IMPORTANT PATIENT UPDATES

Appointments and Televisits

Visitor Policy:

If you are experiencing fever, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath or have been in contact with someone with these symptoms – DO NOT ENTER OUR LOBBY/OFFICE.  We do not treat these symptoms, please follow up with your PCP or urgent care.

No visitors in the Lobby or Office under the age of 16.  Only one essential visitor if absolutely necessary may accompany a patient who has special needs.  Everyone else must wait in their car – not in the lobby or hallway.

Physical Exams/Telemedicine Option:

We are continuing to see patients that require a physical exam.  We now offer telemedicine visits for those who wish to speak with their physician or do not need a physical exam. To change your upcoming appointment to a telehealth visit or to schedule one, please send our office a message through the patient portal or call 214-540-0704. Please note that call volume is high. If you reach the voicemail, please leave a detailed message, and we will return your call as soon as we are able.

Lab Draws:

We will continue to provide lab draws for patients who must be monitored to continue taking medications.

Why is my doctor encouraging that I have labs drawn before renewing my prescription during the COVID-19 crisis? Many of the medications prescribed to treat rheumatologic diseases can cause significant side effects, including low blood counts, or kidney and liver problems. These types of side effects can develop without any symptoms, even in patients who have been on the same medications for years.

In order to be sure that it is safe for you to continue your medications, we must check your lab work at regular intervals. Actively treating your rheumatic disease is very important. Although we recommend for all our patients to remain at home as much as possible, follow state guidelines on social distancing, and avoid any unnecessary trips out of the house,  we must check your blood work periodically, to make sure it is safe for you to continue taking those medications.

What we are doing to improve patient safety? We want to assure you that we are using every precaution in our phlebotomy areas, including all staff wearing masks and gloves, frequent disinfection of surfaces, and social distancing of 6 feet at all times of patients and staff, except during the actual blood draw. We also request that you wear a mask when you come to the office.