To My Dear Patients,
It is our sincere hope that you, your family and loved ones are staying safe and healthy during this most difficult time.
This crisis has touched all of us in some way, and we are thinking about you and sending heartfelt condolences to you if you have lost loved ones. We are making great strides in our understanding of the virus and developing better treatments and protocols. Yet, the battle isn't over and we all must continue to self isolate to better control this disease.
The latest reports are suggesting that the "curve" is flattening, we are, therefore, going to begin the process of re-opening our office on Tuesday, May 26th. As we all have continued to shelter in place and practice social distancing during the past weeks, my staff has continued to work from home and turn our office into a virtual office where it has been "business as usual". We have continued to answer your phone calls, book telemedicine appointments and communicate with patients, other physicians and pharmacies to maintain continuous care.
We will be taking every possible precaution to ensure your safety and well-being as well as the safety and well-being of the staff.
These measures will include:
Waiting Room: We have removed chairs and placed additional chairs in the hallway outside the office to ensure safe distancing.
Appointments: We will be staggering the appointments to ensure adequate time to wipe down spaces in order to maintain a safe and socially acceptable 6 feet distance for patients. Please come alone unless you absolutely need an escort. The escort may be asked to wait outside the office.This will also allow us to better run on schedule. Please do not arrive early for your appointment. We will be screening patients over the phone and at the time of their appointment to ensure they are healthy.
Healthy Staff: Any of our staff who can work virtually will be working outside of the office and all staff members will be screened daily to ensure they are healthy.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Our staff will wear a mask and gloves at all times and we ask all patients with appointments to also wear a mask at all times.
Please read and follow the listed directions carefully to ensure a safe and successful visit to our office:
1. Please call our office to schedule an appointment at 212 888-5932. Please do not come to the office without an appointment. We will also be re-opening our online scheduling portal.
2. PLEASE DO NOT SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO ANYONE WITH COVID-19 IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS; The staff will ask you about your social distancing and exposure during the past to weeks.
3. PLEASE DO NOT SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS:
• FEVER
• COUGH
• SHORTNESS OF BREATH OR DIFFICULTY BREATHING
• CHILLS
• REPEATED SHAKING WITH CHILLS
• MUSCLE PAIN
• HEADACHES
• SORE THROAT
• NEW LOSS OF TASTE OR SMELL
5. Please come alone unless you absolutely need an escort in order to reduce the number of people in the office.
6. You must bring your own mask and wear it at all times when entering the office and until the staff or the doctor instructs you to remove it if needed for your appointment.
7. If you cannot keep your appointment, please call us as soon as possible so that we can allocate that time to someone else.
We will continue to offer Telemedicine appointments at scheduled times if you feel more comfortable with that mode of appointment. Please call the office to schedule.
We ask everyone's full cooperation as we prepare to open under these very special circumstances to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.
We look forward to welcoming you back to our office and promise to take every necessary precaution to take care of you in a safe environment. We appreciate your trust in us as well as the privilege of caring for you now and in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey S. Aronoff MD