COVID-19 Information
General Update
Patients on Biologic and Immunosuppressant Therapy
Patients on Biologic and Immunosuppressant Therapy
How we are responding to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.
Patients on Biologic and Immunosuppressant Therapy
Patients on Biologic and Immunosuppressant Therapy
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
TeleHealth Appointments
We are still seeing patients with certain safety protocols per present recommendations.
TeleHealth Appointments
TeleHealth Appointments
TeleHealth Appointments
Certain providers are now offering virtual appointments.
Visitor Restrictions
TeleHealth Appointments
Visitor Restrictions
A no visitor policy is effective immediately.
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.
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.
- TeleHealth visits are available and easy to use with your smart phone. All the providers are offering appointments in this format. Click below to learn more about our virtual appointments.
- 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.
- Temperatures of each staff are measured before they are allowed to work.
- All of our staff will be wearing protective equipment including masks.
- All seating is at a recommended distance.
- You will be REQUIRED to wear a mask or a face covering (bandana, homemade mask) for the duration of your visit. This is our businesses policy.
- If you elect to not wear a mask you will be asked to leave the office.
- We are not allowing visitors at this time for everyone's health and safety. (Exceptions include parents/guardians of minor patients)
- Prior to your visit the front desk will do a brief screening for signs or symptoms of COVID-19 infection, and a nurse we will be measuring temperatures of ALL patients.
- 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.
Visitor Restrictions
No Visitor Policy
In order to keep our patients, providers, and staff safe, Highlander Dermatology is continuing to take protective measures against the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). These measures follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
At this time, we have implemented a no visitor policy effective immediately.
The decision outlined in this letter was extremely difficult to make, but one we felt was necessary as part of our commitment to keeping our patients, staff, and providers safe during the extraordinary circumstances presented by COVID-19.
Visitors may be allowed in Highlander Dermatology’s clinic only under the following circumstances:
- One (1) parent/guardian may accompany pediatric patients (under age 18)
- One (1) care partner for patients with a disability (ADA) or those who need assistance due to medical necessity
We understand patients may need to be driven to their appointments. We are asking that drivers wait in the car during the patient’s appointment, or return to pick them up later.
The waiting room is reserved exclusively for patients. All other individuals will be asked to wait in the building’s atrium or in their vehicles during the patient’s appointment.
Masks are still required for the protection of yourself and those around you.
If you have an upcoming appointment with us and are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, or fever, please call our office to reschedule your appointment so as not to risk exposure to others.
We are deeply grateful for your patience and support in keeping our patients, providers, and other staff safe. If you have questions please call in advance of your appointment and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.
Copyright © 2020 Highlander Dermatology LLC - All Rights Reserved.
Updated December 2020
