“When the goin’ gets tough, the tough get goin”

                                                                                     Mr. Harris, high school football coach 1968

Hello, and I hope this Doctor’s Note finds You & Your Loved Ones Safe & Well. I want to bring you an update based on where we’ve been and where we are going.

I want to keep you informed as to how I, as your Doctor, can keep you as well as we can. This experience is a new one for everyone on the planet. It is a first for known mankind. That being said, open mindedness, resourcefulness and creativity should rule the day.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation website https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america/florida is a daily update of the evolution of our efforts regarding the spread of COVID 19. It changes daily, based on the success of our response to this dilemma. As of today, here in Florida we are beginning our ascent to the current peak on Wednesday May 6, 2020. Two weeks later on May 20, 2020 is the time period currently stated to allow for some phasing in of services. This timeline has been changing as new data arises and is improved by our compliance with Public Health advice. As the old adage goes “when you have your health, you have just about everything”.

That being said, here is how my office can assist you in that endeavor.

THE OFFICE: The office has been closed to public entrance since March 14, however the Doctor and full time Staff are available Monday thru Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM as always We can assist with for your Staff needs such as medication refills, insurance and reimbursement assistance, logistic advice and as a resource for you all, as always. The Doctor is available 24/7 as usual.

OFFICE VISITS: Office visits are being carried out by phone, cell phone, video phone and by TELEHEALTH, depending on the patient’s access and abilities with the different tools available for good communication. IF YOU HAVE A SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT, KEEP IT. You will be called by the Doctor at that time. Assessing your health, reviewing your history and advising you are fundamental to keeping you healthy. Coordinating your patient management can and is being one, as well.

TELEHEALTH IS AVAILABLE: I am using a reputable and HIPAA approved service. It is simple and requires a device with a camera and a microphone. It can be in the form of a cell phone, tablet, laptop or PC. I will call you prior to your visit and email you a link and simple instructions to log in to the “waiting room”.

I use an Android cell phone and Windows operating system.

With DROID to DROID cell phones GO TO the keypad for the call and choose SETTINGS and assure Video Calling is checked.

DROID to iPHONES requires an app. Whats App is encrypted and a decent choice.  

IN THE EVENT OF THE NEED FOR ACUTE SERVICES there are options:

  • “Doc, I cut myself and I think it needs stitches”

Boca Raton Regional Hospital URGENT CARE Centers among others, are open for NON RESPIRATORY INFECTION complaints. IF YOU HAVE RESPIRATORY COMPLAINTS similar to colds, bronchitis, etc. CALL THE DOCTOR FIRST. Do not walk in.

  • IF there is an overt EMERGENCY, CALL 911 and describe the emergency. Someone should call the office or doctor and let us know, immediately.
  • In the event of the need to go to the hospital ER, there are areas for suspect COVID patients and other areas for the medical problems that can arise on any given day.

IF the ER Doctor feels you need admission, the In House Hospitalists are admitting patients. There are medical and surgical subspecialists available to assist in care and treatment. NOTIFY me of your intent to go, or have a family notify me of your need. I will be communicating with the Doctors and Nurses and filling in the blanks of your history and faxing them all pertinent records regarding your ongoing wellness. I am able to access information regarding hospitalized patients at institutions I am associated with. I will be able to guide family members as well and improve upon the reduced communication that exists given our current travail.

A Note: The inability to protect Nurses, Doctors and all other Primary Responders by not providing adequate Personal Protective Equipment PPE, is unconscionable and totally unacceptable, now and forever after.   

For those of you who may have missed this,  CLICK HERE  Note that 1 and 2 are everyone’s favorites and it may be to avoid 3, HOWEVER, when one look towards 4, 7 and 8, enhanced 6 leads to 5, 9 and 10. It’s simple math.  

Be Well,

  Journey…Observation…Knowledge