Should I go to my scheduled dermatology appointments?
Transmission of COVID-19 is especially high in health care settings. Health care facilities and clinicians are prioritizing urgent and emergency visits at this time. Make sure to check with your physician about your individual situation before canceling or proceeding with your scheduled visit. Please note that, at this time, most states are enforcing regulations prohibiting elective procedures including cosmetic or aesthetic treatments. These procedures will need to be rescheduled to a time after these regulations are lifted.
Your doctor may triage your care based on the individual risk of your condition, your risk of complications for COVID-19 and your risk for contracting COVID-19. Some skin cancers (including squamous and basal cell carcinomas) can be slow growing and treatment can be safely delayed for a period of time. Other cancers may pose an immediate risk to your health and thus urgent treatment would be recommended. Instead of canceling or delaying your care, your physician may offer you a virtual visit via phone or video in order to optimize your care.
What should I do before heading out to a medical appointment?
Before visiting a clinic or hospital, make sure to understand the active safety protocols in place. During the pandemic, you may be screened for symptoms and/or asked to wear a protective mask, and there may be restrictions on bringing a family member or visitor with you. You might be put in a private room or have specific waiting room instructions enforcing social distancing requirements. Also, your physician may be taking extra precautions including wearing a mask or other protective gear, avoiding hand shakes or use verbal consent instead of written signatures to limit multiple people touching a pen or paperwork.
Should I avoid going to the emergency room (ER)?
Yes. Not only are health care settings high risk transmission locations, but the emergency room needs to be for the most critically ill, especially during this challenging time. Please contact your physician first before heading to the ER. Your physician will evaluate your immediate need. Many ASDS members are offering telemedicine options to help diagnose and treat various dermatologic conditions. Please contact your dermatologist’s office for details or use our search tool to find one near you.