PBDES Covid-19 Update: Office Visits and Telehealth

Palm Beach Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists, PA is now offering Telehealth visits to patients who request it. Telehealth is a term that means a patient and a medical provider can communicate together remotely. Under normal circumstances, Telehealth visits are quite restricted and would not be allowed by our practice. However, Telehealth is now permitted on a temporary basis due to emergency action by the Federal Government and the State of Florida. Follow up visits after either in office or Telehealth visits will only be scheduled as in office visits as it is unknown as to how long the ability to continue providing Telehealth visits will last. Future visits can always be converted to a Telehealth visit if need be as long the emergency actions are still in place.

During the Covid-19 Health Crisis, all of our physicians, nurse practitioners, certified diabetes educators and nutritionists will continue to see patients in all of our offices and new patient appointments will continue to be made as well. In addition, our laboratory will remain open and phlebotomy services in all of our offices will be available to those patients whose insurance allows us to draw blood in the office. Finally, other ancillary services, such as Thyroid Ultrasounds and biopsies will continue to be performed.

We want to remind you of the following appropriate precautions we have taken for office visits for the safety of our patients, practitioners and staff:

1. Patients who are ill with flu-like symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, sore throat or fever, have been exposed to Covid-19, or who have travelled recently are currently being asked to stay home.
2. Social distancing is taking place in waiting rooms and examination rooms. We request that only the patient come into the office and that spouses and other family members remain at home or in the car. One attendant will be permitted only if a patient needs assistance.
3. We are asking that patients sanitize their hands before entering the waiting room.
4. Temperatures will be taken before patients are brought back to examination rooms.
5. Cleaning and disinfecting of examination rooms is taking place in between patient visits.
6. Staff is wearing Personal Protective Equipment as appropriate.

During these challenging times, the physicians and staff of Palm Beach Diabetes Endocrine Specialists, PA will continue to do our best to provide you expert care. Please know that we are here for you and that we will get through this together. We are proud to be your healthcare providers and wish you health and safety.

The Physicians and Staff of Palm Beach Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists, PA.

COVID-19 Antibody Test

Palm Beach Diabetes and Endocrine Specialist offer the ability for patients to be tested for SARS-CoV-2 Serology (COVID-19) Antibody (IgG), Immunoassay.

Blood specimens for SARS-CoV-2 IgG testing can be collected within any of the Palm Beach Diabetes and Endocrine Specialty Offices where it will be sent to one of the major reference labs that we participate with. You can receive the testing regardless if you have insurance or not.

The IgG antibody testing provides insight into an individual's prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2, which may help to identify people who may be able to resume working and other daily activities in society. IgG antibody testing cannot be used to diagnose or rule out active infection, and symptomatic patients should always be diagnosed using a SARS-CoV-2 RNA test.

Negative results do not preclude acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. If acute infection is suspected, molecular testing for SARSCoV-2 is necessary. The test should not be used to diagnose acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.

So, remember to ask for the Covid 19 Antibody test when you come in to see your physician or lab appointment.