- As the COVID-19 crisis develops, I am on-call to treat urgent, need to be seen in person patients only. Eye doctors have gotten the green light to attend to patient’s urgent needs via telemedicine, phone or video chat (face-time type of technology) that permits to talk to the patient and/or to virtually see you and take care of your eye issues, answer questions and to prescribe or refill medications from your home, as we practice shelter-in-place. Insurance have accepted telemedicine charges while we are in this state of emergency. As primary eye care provider we are focused on the health of our patients, our practice remains at the frontline providing essential eyecare. urgent and emergency eyecare to our patients in an effort to alleviate burdens on emergency departments. We are actively monitoring and updating these procedures as the pandemic evolves and new recommendations are issued.
We continue to maintain hygiene and infection control protocols as usual.
NOTICE:
If you returned from outside the US or visited an area defined by the CDC as an area of high risk IN THE LAST 14 DAYS, OR
If you had direct contact with an individual with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) IN THE LAST 14 DAYS, OR,
If you had direct contact with a person who is currently being quarantined for coronavirus (COVID-19) exposure IN THE LAST 14 DAYS, OR,
If you felt feverish, have difficulty breathing and had a cough in the last 24 hours, please note that you will not be given an in-person appointment.
We are prioritizing in-person examinations only to those that are suspected to be medically urgent or time sensitive and established patients who require in-person ongoing care to prevent vision loss or those who indicate that that they are having injuries or urgent eye care needs. We are rescheduling patients that have non-urgent conditions. Please call my cell phone only for true emergencies: 201-370-1142.
Steps you can take to prevent spread of flu and the common cold will also help prevent COVID-19 (coronavirus):
•Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
•Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
•Avoid contact with people who are sick.
•Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
•Avoid close contact, distance yourself and others, especially important for those who are at higher risk of getting sick to avoid contacting others.
•Strongly recommended that people remain in their homes. Must stay home if you are sick, except to get essential medical care.
•Keep hydrated. You don’t need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks are in short supply and should be save for caregivers. If you are sick, you should wear a facemask when around other people. COVID-19 is particularly serious for the elderly and those immune suppress but can be serious for anyone.
Wishing everyone good health!
Wednesday: the office is closed: Dr. Rodriguez teaches and is involved in professional activities