COVID-19 Practice Update

COVID-19 PRACTICE UPDATE:

Dermatology & Plastic Surgery of Arizona is committed to providing safe, high-quality, and individualized care that prioritizes not just your skin but your entire well-being. Dermatology & Plastic Surgery of Arizona is taking precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of this new virus. We are closely monitoring the situation and adhering to all relevant CDC guidelines.

As our country and our state return to normal operations, we too have been contemplating the delicate balance between our patient’s needs, the need to be socially conscious in our scheduling, and the exposure risk for our patients and staff.

If you have an area of concern or are in need of services, we will be happy to schedule a time for you to be seen in one of our offices.

Here are some action items to keep in mind when scheduling:

If you have been hospitalized, sick, had a fever, or been exposed to someone who has been tested for COVID19, please make us aware so that we can effectively triage your concern before scheduling your visit.
In addition to cleaning our exam rooms between every patient, our staff will be taking “time-outs” every 2 hours to wipe down communal contact areas to maintain cleanliness in our office. Please be patient with us as we take these extra measures to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Please do not defer your care (especially those with potentially cancerous conditions) out of fear for COVID-19. Our staff, physicians, and medical providers are available during this uncertain time to take care of you.

Please read below to see what measures we are taking to safeguard your health and for suggestions on how you can best protect yourself, your family, and your local community.

What we are doing to protect you:

We have implemented a new protocol where all hard surfaces, armrests on waiting chairs, and door handles are disinfected hourly, using EPA-registered disinfectants that have qualified under EPA’s emerging viral pathogens program for use against SARS-CoV-2 (a.k.a. the COVID-19 coronavirus).
As has always been our protocol, all patient examination rooms are cleaned and disinfected after each patient encounter.
Our goal is to protect and care for all of our patients, so we urge you to reschedule if you have any symptoms of an upper respiratory infection (cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat or shortness of breath). To ease the burden, we are not charging no-show or cancellation fees during the COVID-19 outbreak. We will also work with you to reschedule at a time that is convenient for you after you are symptom-free. Even if your provider is booked out far in advance, you will be prioritized to be rescheduled.
Waiting rooms are equipped with masks and hand sanitizers. Please make use of these to prevent the spread of illness or if you suspect you have come into contact with someone who is sick.

Ways you can help prevent the spread of the virus:

Please call ahead to inform us if you have symptoms of respiratory infection (e.g., cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat or shortness of breath) so that we may reschedule your appointment to a time when you are feeling well again.
For everyone’s safety, we urge you to limit those who accompany you to your visit (such as children or friends).
Washing your hands often and thoroughly is the best way to protect yourself and others. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds making sure to scrub your palms, backs of your hands, between fingers and under your nails. Please see the CDC website for any additional guidance on handwashing (https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html).

During these unprecedented and uncertain times, we are committed to providing you with the quality care you have always expected from Dermatology & Plastic Surgery of Arizona. Our medical providers and professional staff stand ready to provide you with the care and experience you need, in an environment that is safe.

More information on COVID-19 can be found at www.coronavirus.gov.com.