06/02/2020
Dear MIHG Family,
In this time of COVID-19 and need for social distancing, we know many may feel unsure about visiting a physician in person. However, when you are feeling sick or need management of a chronic condition, it is important not to delay your care.
As we prepare for the safe and thoughtful reopening of our practice to in-person visits, we are taking necessary precautions to promote the wellness of our patients and team and to help prevent the potential spread of the virus in our region.
In-person Care (beginning mid-June)
Protocols to maximize the safety of all who enter our facility:
• Daily symptom screening of office personnel
• Telephone pre-screening of patients for upcoming appointments
• Expanded spacing between seats in the waiting area
• Staggered appointments to limit the number of individuals in the building at a time
• Hand sanitizer and hand-washing are available throughout the office. Individuals are directed to wash hands in the front hall restrooms before entering the office.
• No visitors are permitted to accompany patients, except when necessary to facilitate care. In those special circumstances, one healthy visitor, over the age 18, may be permitted.
o We recognize the challenges this may create and appreciate your understanding. Exceptions may be made, but must be discussed with office management prior to the appointment. We will continue to evaluate our policies in order to balance patient needs with the need to protect the larger community and limit potential exposures to COVID-19.
• Scheduled cleanings of all common areas several times daily; exam rooms are cleaned and disinfected after every patient
• Care team members have been supplied with masks and protective equipment
• All patients and visitors to the office are required to wear a face covering at all times. In addition to face coverings, individuals are encouraged to practice physical distancing and limit mobility in the building or touching of surfaces as much as possible.
Video/Telehealth Visits
For patients who may not need to be seen in person, we continue to offer telemedicine visits. These visits allow you to speak with your own physician through a video connection for a range of non-emergency issues and are a convenient option that supports social distancing.
You can learn more about scheduling a video visit by calling our office or communicating through the Patient Portal. Patients with known risk factors for COVID-19 are advised to convert upcoming office visits to Telehealth visits.
A reminder, Telehealth and the Patient Portal are not for emergency or urgent concerns. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1, or proceed to the emergency department.
Phlebotomy/Infusion Visits
As we continue to evaluate the volume of patients requiring laboratory testing or infusion therapies, we have modified our in-office phlebotomy and infusion schedule. Please call our office for details and to schedule your appointment.
We greatly appreciate your understanding and patience at his challenging time.
Dr. Wittels, Dr. Pravs & the MIHG Team
