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The situation with the COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly changing, and our team at Collin County Ear, Nose, and Throat is working hard to actively keep up with the fast-changing news and guidelines. It’s important that we are here to provide care and support for our patients, and we are adapting as needed based on the recommendations from the Health Department, CDC, and government officials.
Letter to Our Patients
We recently sent a letter to update our patients about the situation:
“After much deliberation amongst our leadership team and physicians, we have made the decision to close our office for face-to-face visits. We will focus our efforts on telemedicine in order to continue caring for our community, with the health and safety of our patients and staff in mind. Our decision was based on the recommendations from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck and Surgery, as well as the Texas Medical Board.
“We will be functioning with limited staff, but our office phones will still be answered. The office will still have the ability to care for patients and will work towards scheduling patients for telemedicine appointments if appropriate. Some non-urgent appointments will be scheduled once the office resumes in-office visits. We do not have a definitive time frame until we return to normal function, but will communicate any updates as we receive them.”
Why Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Telemedicine is a convenient, simple way to talk to a doctor without leaving the comfort of your home. The use of telemedicine is a great solution during the COVID-19 outbreak because avoiding face-to-face appointments reduces the risk of spreading the disease. Not only can we protect our patients from potential exposure to Coronavirus, but we also provide the protection needed for our staff as well.
Since Coronavirus affects the upper respiratory system, a visit with an ENT might be beneficial to help with the management of symptoms. If you are experiencing any symptoms, it is important to reach out to a doctor – even if the symptoms are unrelated to COVID-19.
How Telemedicine Works
Telemedicine is the practice of using technology to provide remote healthcare services. Patients can have a video conference call with a board-certified doctor using either a computer or smartphone.
Even though certain in-office testing services are not available over a telemedicine appointment, medical assistance can be a great alternative in a variety of situations:
- Diagnosis of common medical concerns
- Discussion about options for at-home treatment
- Chronic care follow-up appointments
- Post-treatment check-ups
- Refills for prescription medications
If you are interested in scheduling a telemedicine appointment with an ENT, then you can call our office. Even though the office doors are closed, we are answering the phones during regular business hours. Our staff will schedule an appointment time and provide instructions about how you can connect with the doctor for this conversation.
Non-urgent appointments will be scheduled at a future time. We are happy to mark a time on the calendar, with the option to change the appointment depending on the timeframe when we can reopen the office again.
Benefits of Telemedicine
Is a telemedicine appointment right for you? Here are some of the benefits you can expect if you choose to schedule a virtual appointment:
- Safety: No need to put you and your family at risk due to exposure to COVID-19.
- Convenience: Stay at home and schedule the appointment at a time that is convenient for you.
- No Commute: The appointment can be completed without driving to a doctor’s office.
- Save Money: Instead of visiting an urgent care or ER for non-emergency services, save hundreds or thousands of dollars by booking a telemedicine appointment.
- One-on-One: You will have a one-on-one appointment with a medical expert, including personalized treatment recommendations.
- HIPAA: We maintain the same level of privacy and respect, giving you peace of mind in knowing that your medical information is safe.
ENT Services from Home
Even though telemedicine services aren’t suitable for every situation, rest assured knowing that our experienced medical staff is here to assist in every way possible. We are following the safety recommendations and have found that technology is a great alternative for patients who have immediate needs and don’t require a face-to-face visit.
If you have questions and need to talk to an ENT, then our team is here to assist. We provide services for families throughout the community. If you are located near the Dallas, Denton, or Collin County areas, then contact us to learn more about telemedicine services. Collin County Ear, Nose, and Throat has offices in both Frisco and Plano, TX. An appointment can be requested using our online form or call us at (972) 596-4005.
