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March 23, 2020

March 2020

 COVID-19 update

As per CDC and Partners Healthcare system recommendations

• Screening for COVID-19 patients
• We will be asking every patient right away the following questions:
1. Do you have a fever or cough?
2. Have you traveled to or through China, Iran, Italy, Japan or South Korea in the last 30 days?
3. Have you been in contact with anyone who has been confirmed or suspected to have the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?
4. If you answered yes to any of the above questions and you must come to the office, is expected to wear a mask during your time at the office, do not bring visitors with you that may have been exposed or merely to protect them from unnecessary exposure.
5. if appointment is not urgent, please call or send a patient gateway message
• Based on the responses to these questions, there are specific next steps to take.
• Screening for patients who are most vulnerable relative to COVID-19
• We will use clinical discretion and identify those patients who are most vulnerable relative to COVID-19 (e.g. older adults, people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease) and consider alternative means of communicating and caring for these patients (e.g. phone, Patient Gateway). 
• Key points
• If a patient has a scheduled appointment, we are not canceling or rescheduling those currently scheduled visits unless indicated by the flowchart or indicated by the screening for patients who are most vulnerable relative to COVID-19.
• Additionally, we continue scheduling ambulatory visits unless otherwise indicated by the flowchart or indicated by the screening for patients who are most vulnerable relative to COVID-19.

Patient Gateway, Virtual Video Visits:

• Patient Gateway. Newton Wellesley Hospital is allowing automatic signup invitations for Patient Gateway. This will allow our patients to sign up without any action from our front desk staff. Our patients’ Patient Gateway account is the key to helping them to access their care remotely. 

• Virtual Video Visits. Newton-Wellesley Hospital is working together to prepare teams, develop workflows and make the necessary technical enhancements. This will allow those patients who do not necessarily require an in-person interaction to still seek care. More to come soon.

This is a fluid situation and we will keep you informed as we learn more.

July 2015

Top Doctors by Castle Connolly

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Immediate and acute adverse effects following transforaminal epidural steroid injections with dexamethasone. El Abd OH, Amadera JD, Pimentel DC, Gomba L. Pain Physician 2015 May-June;18(3):277-86