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Telemedicine – effective March 16, 2020

YOUR APPOINTMENT (by phone)

 

The details from  public health (both at the local level of York region as well as the federal / provincial level) have been changing on a daily basis.  It’s been a whirlwind and I’m afraid that we haven’t seen the final policies/decisions.

 

At this time, we are honoring the request of public health to enforce social distancing.  In addition, the Ontario Medical Association has asked that all elective testing/procedures be cancelled at this time.

The staff at Hollandview Medical remain dedicated to your health. We are running the office on a regular schedule at this time.

However, ALL appointments will be converted a virtual / telemedicine format at this time.

Please call in to book an appointment with contact details as per usual.  Your doctor will call you for a telephone assessment and interview at the booked time.

Prescription renewals, diagnostic testing and report review are some of the issues that we envision can be done remotely.

Where appropriate; your doctor will decide how/when to bring you in for an assessment.  ALL non-urgent items (including physicals) should be postponed until further direction and clarification is provided by public health.

This may be of particular interest for our patients with health co-morbidities that would put them at risk of serious complications from COVID-19.  The doctor’s office IS a high-touch point site with the risks that encompasses.

WE WILL NOT TAKE ANY WALK-IN APPOINTMENTS.   The front door will be locked and we will request all patients make an appointment for a telephone assessment.  In particular; upper-respiratory infections (colds / flu / COVID-19) need to be assessed by your doctor over the phone first so that we can decide where and what type of exam may be required and is most relevant.

Keep yourself updated

https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/respiratory-diseases/novel-coronavirus

Coronovirus 2020 – COVID19 assessment

Our office is NOT able to run COVID-19 assessments/tests on patients.

TESTING FOR COVID-19

IF YOU are concerned that you may have COVID-19, the province has opened up dedicated COVID-19 assessment centers.

The closest assessment center is located at Southlake Hospital and runs from 9am – 9 pm.  Please note that all patients seen there will be assessed by a physician and a COVID-19 test will be run where appropriate.  For more details; follow this link here

Information about COVID-19: updated visitor policy and Southlake COVID-19 Assessment Centre

 

Primary care offices (ours included) will not be able to test for COVID-19 as public health has asked that all COVID-19 assessments be done at the dedicated centers.

If you have symptoms of acute respiratory infection (like fever, new or worsening cough, new or worsening shortness of breath) and in the past 14 days prior to you becoming sick have any of the following:

Travel to an impacted area of COVID-19, which includes:
China
Hong Kong
Iran
Japan
Italy
Singapore
South Korea
Had close contact with a case of COVID-19

Had close contact with someone who is sick and recently traveled to any of the above countries

CALL OUR OFFICE and we will do a phone assessment; do not come in as it would put other patients (and staff) at risk as we do not have personal protective equipment in-office for proper COVID-19 evaluation.

 

Tips about our office for new patients.

Since there are patients new to the office; we thought a few pointers would be handy to make your visit to the office more pleasant.

The public washroom is just past the elevators on the right.    Also, if you need to use the bathroom while you are waiting, please feel free to do so and simply let us know when you come back.  We keep your appointment in priority sequence.

Lifelabs is also past the elevators, but to the left; their hours are generally Mon-Fri.;   7 am – 3 pm.  NO appointment is necessary.

When arriving at your appointment; if the secretaries are busy,  please feel free to leave your health card on the counter and take a seat.   We will check you in and ensure that your appointment .

Old records.     If you wish to get your old records; please complete the transfer of records request form and contact your previous family doctor to see if there is a charge.

You may wish to discuss with Dr. Hendrick whether she needs your old records at the time of your appointment.

Preventative Care Guidelines

Preventative Care Reminder List.

It has been an honor to be your physician to date. At this time; we have implemented a trial program to ensure that our patients receive the optimal screening tests as recommended by current guidelines.

At this time, it is highly recommended that you get the following tests done.

For ALL

Influenza vaccination – over age 65, we HIGHLY recommend the flu shot for patients aged 65+ as it is one of the best measures that we have to keep our seniors healthy. Getting the flu as our immune system ages puts you at greater risk for hospitalization, pneumonia and serious consequences. About 90% of deaths from the seasonal flu occur in adults over the age of 65.

Colorectal cancer screening – between age 50-744, we recommend that unless you have had a recent colonoscopy; a fecal occult blood test be done to make sure that there is no microscopic blood in the stool. Blood in the stool may be a sign of benign problems (ie: hemorrhoids) or more serious disease

For Women only

Mammogram – between age 50-74; we recommend that women get mammograms at least every 24 month to screen for breast cancer.

Pap Smear – between age 35-69; we recommend that women with low risk get a pap test every 30 months to screen for cervical cancer. Those with recent pap abnormalities should inquire as to the frequency that they should be getting their next pap test.

We value your health and with these measures; we hope to ensure that we can screen or prevent some of the more common diseases that we encounter over time. If you haven’t had these procedures done in a while; please discuss them with us at your next appointment or call in.