Practice Reopening: What to Expect at Your In-Person Appointment

We have been carefully monitoring the COVID-19 situation, and The Dermatology and Skin Surgery Center of Wilmington is pleased to announce that we have passed the CDC criteria for a Phase 1 reopening. That means that our practice is once again accepting all patients for in-person appointments. We will continue to follow all state, local, and federal government guidance, as well as recommendations from medical boards as we begin to welcome patients back into our facility.

We are excited to see all of our patients in-person, but we are taking many precautions to protect their health and safety. This month, we’re sharing all of the ways that our practice is reducing the chances of spreading illness.

 

How We’re Keeping Patients Safe

Patient health and safety will always be our top priority, and our safety procedures will continue to evolve as the state of COVID-19 changes. At this time, our practice has instituted the following precautions:

• Checking the temperature of all staff members and patients

• Asking screening questions for anyone who enters the office

• Rescheduling patients who exhibit symptoms or who have been exposed to COVID-19

• Limiting provider appointment schedules

• Reorganizing staff workstations and how patient and staff travel throughout the office

• Maintaining social distancing best practice, like limiting waiting room capacity and allowing patients to wait in their vehicles until their exam room is ready to reduce their exposure risk

• Sanitizing waiting areas and high-touch surfaces multiple times throughout each day

• Following all current CDC guidelines for disinfecting exam rooms between patients

• Limiting visitors to those escorts who are essential for patient mobility or other special assistance

• Providing hand sanitizer to patients and visitors

 

What to Expect During Your In-Person Visit

When you arrive for your appointment, one of our staff members will take your temperature and ask screening questions to assess your health and exposure risk. If you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with the illness, we will reschedule your appointment.

All of our staff will wear personal protective equipment, including face masks and eye protection. We request that all patients also wear a cloth face covering over their mouth and nose while in our facility.

At this time, we ask that you do not bring visitors unless they are essential for mobility or other special circumstances. If possible, please have them wait in your vehicle to reduce their exposure risk. In our waiting areas, we are reducing common use items such as pens, magazines, and iPads to limit the spread of germs.

 

We Will Continue to Offer Telehealth Appointments

Throughout the pandemic, telehealth appointments have been an essential screening tool for our practice because our physicians can diagnose many hair, skin, and nail concerns through a video appointment. If you prefer to begin your skin health journey by video to limit your exposure, simply call our office to make an appointment.

If needed, the physician will send a prescription to your preferred pharmacy digitally for you to pick up at your convenience. Just as with in-person appointments, telehealth appointments are covered by most insurance carriers.

Since dermatology relies upon being able to see the skin clearly to make an accurate diagnosis, there are two things that you can do to improve the quality of your virtual visit:

1. Sit in an area with bright natural light in front of you rather than behind you, and
2. Make sure that your Wi-Fi connection is secure and stable

You’ll receive a text message or email with a meeting link at the time of your appointment. Simply click the link and allow the telehealth portal to access both your camera and microphone so that the doctor can see and hear you. Through the video call, you’ll be able to receive the same excellent care that you would experience in-person. If the physician determines that your condition warrants an in-person diagnosis or treatment, we will schedule a follow-up appointment in our office.

 

Skin Care During COVID-19

The Skin Surgery Center of Wilmington understands that your skin, hair, and nail health concerns don’t pause during a public health crisis. If you have a concern and would like to make an appointment, get in touch with our office. Not sure if you should schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment? We’re happy to offer guidance about which is the right path for you.

 

If you have a hair, skin, or nail related concern, please contact The Dermatology and Skin Surgery Center of Wilmington. Our staff is ready to provide you with the thoughtful, competent care that you deserve, in-person or via our telehealth portal, in our state-of-the-art facilities. Book your appointment today.