COVID-19 Information

COVID-19 INFORMATION

262-290-4540

Highlander Dermatology LLC

General Update

Patients on Biologic and Immunosuppressant Therapy

How we are responding to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

Patients on Biologic and Immunosuppressant Therapy

We are here for you and understand your reason for concern during these trying times.

Appointments Update

Patients on Biologic and Immunosuppressant Therapy

Appointments Update

We are still seeing patients with certain safety protocols per present recommendations.

COVID-19 Statement

During the current COVID-19 pandemic our utmost priority is the health of our patients, staff, and community. After evaluating the most current information and reviewing published guidelines, we remain confident in our ability to provide dermatological care in a safe and healthy environment at Highlander Dermatology.

We recommend any patient stay home if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

We want to limit contact and reduce person-to-person exposure in our community, to our patients and to our staff. If you are feeling ill, have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, we kindly ask that you call our office and reschedule your appointment.

If you have an appointment and are feeling healthy, we plan to continue to stay open and see patients as long as guidelines and recommendations permit us to do so. We are closely monitoring updates from the Centers for Disease Control and WHO and will continue to seek guidance from these agencies and local public health officials. With new information, we will make the necessary adjustments to our operations and will keep you informed of any changes.

We will continue to maintain a clean and safe environment and continue to comply with OSHA and CDC infection control guidelines. We have standard protocols in place to disinfect all surfaces and patient contact areas. We have expanded and increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfection of all common areas and facilities. Each patient room will be thoroughly disinfected after each patient. Each patient will be screened prior to their visit.

For more information, questions or to reschedule an appointment, please call our office at (262) 290-4540.

Sincerely,

Drs. Straka and Kleven

Courtney Papp, PA-C

The staff at HIGHLANDER DERMATOLOGY LLC

Be Aware of the Symptoms

We recommend any patient stay home if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

NO PATIENT WILL BE PENALIZED if a reschedule is necessary.

COVID-19 Disease Symptoms

Medication Concerns

Biologic and Immuosuppressant Therapy

We are aware of the increase in a number of coronavirus cases in the US and are continuously monitoring and reviewing this matter, especially as it pertains to our patients and staff. Our greatest concern is for our patients who are on prescriptions for skin, hair, or mucosal diseases that may alter and weaken the function of their immune system. For patients on these medications, if they feel like they have an infection of any sort, we recommend they hold their medication until they feel well again—having recovered from the infection.

There are many unknowns about susceptibility to the coronavirus infection and exactly why it may affect some individuals more severely than others. Certainly, it stands to reason that the medication you take does alter and, in some ways, suppress the immune system. This would raise concern it could potentially increase the severity of any infection—including a coronavirus infection. Under the current circumstances, the decision to either continue or stop your medication is not an easy one to make. If you do choose to stop it, please contact our office for alternative therapeutic options.

We understand that naturally many of our patients would have additional questions. Each person’s circumstances are unique. In addition to this information, here are two sources of information you may consider. First, the CDC government web page on coronavirus is an excellent resource.

If you feel any signs or symptoms of an infection, discontinue your medicine immediately. If these symptoms persist or worsen, consider consulting with your primary care physician or local emergency room.

For additional information about coronavirus, please refer to the CDC webpage: Frequently Asked Questions, or the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak page of the World Health Organization: Corona Virus Disease.

Medications:

Azathioprine
CellCept
Cimzia
Cosyntex
Cyclosporine
Dupixent
Enbrel
Humira
Methotrexate
Remicade
Stelara
Skyrizi
Taltz
Clinical Trial Medications

Appointments Updates

General Information

Registration forms and necessary consent forms are now available to be filled out prior to your visit directly on our website. These are all HIPAA compliant and protected. This will make access and registration quicker and more convenient when it comes time for your visit.
New protocols for screening all patients prior to their visits have been implemented. Find more information on the steps we are taking in the following section.
Accordingly, we still require any patient with symptoms of possible COVID-19, including fever, cough, respiratory symptoms, to not come into the office. Our protocol and recommendations will adapt as the situation unfolds over the coming weeks.

Our Response

During this unprecedented time we have made accommodations to meet the dermatologic needs of our patients. We are still seeing patients, with certain safety protocols per present recommendations.

IN-OFFICE: We are continuing to create an environment that is as safe as possible. These are some of the current safety protocols in place:

All of our staff are prescreened for signs and symptoms of infection and exposure to COVID-19 daily.
All of our staff will be wearing protective equipment including masks.
All patients and visitors are required to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.
Masks are still required for those who are not vaccinated.
Prior to your visit the front desk will do a brief screening for signs or symptoms of COVID-19 infection.
We are sanitizing our office waiting and reception area frequently throughout the day will continue as previous, wiping down counters, pens, door handles, etc..
All medical exam rooms are sanitized after each patient and infection protocols will continue.

As we navigate this crisis together, we will take every possible precaution to ensure the safety of our patients and staff.