Arthritis and Osteoporosis Consultants of the Carolinas urges our patients to continue to keep their medical appointments virtually or in-person during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Safety Precautions
To keep our patients safe, we have in place multiple measures to enhance safety and limit the spread of COVID-19 including HEPA filters in all exam rooms, the waiting room, infusion suite, and business offices. Mask wearing is required of all staff and patients. All staff members have their temperature checked twice a day and all patients have their temperature checked and respond negatively to a directed questionnaire before gaining access to the clinic. We have limited the number of patients in common areas such as the waiting room and labs and, with few exceptions, only patients are allowed back in the individual exam rooms. All rooms and equipment are wiped down in between patient visits and all patient-facing staff members wear a mask, gown, and gloves when interacting with patients. Social distancing is employed throughout the clinic and infusion patients now receive their treatment in a redesigned infusion suite with bacteriostatic barriers or in individual exam rooms.
Telehealth
Telehealth visits are still being offered for select visits. A telehealth visit is appropriate if you are sick with a contagious illness and cannot make it into the office. It is appropriate if you travel a long distance and cannot make it into the office but are doing well. A telehealth visit is not optimal for many of the conditions we treat and all patients are required to be seen in office at least once yearly to continue care.