COVID Update
As of Monday, May 15, 2022, Pulmonary Associates of Lancaster will be mask optional. If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask or have cold like symptoms , please continue to do so. Additionally, if you prefer your care team and providers wear a mask, we will be happy to do so. Please state your preference at check in or during any part of your visit. We are happy to serve you either way.
We continue to be opened, safely, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing patients including those experiencing COVID long-haul (see below for more information). Our practice follows strict protocols to help ensure the safety of our patients, staff, and the community. Those protocols include:
- Two visitors are allowed to enter our office. Our staff will provide mobility assistance to any patient who needs it.
- Masks are required for both patients and visitors.
- Screening of patients and staff for COVID-19 symptoms and risks
- Social distancing made possible by expansion of our waiting room to accommodate greater space for our patients in the waiting areas.
- Plexiglas guards for protection of staff and patients
- Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for staff and patients
- Adhering to policies and protocols for thorough cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting of rooms/areas after each visit and at regular intervals during the day
- Offering Video Visit appointments to patients, when appropriate
We are currently open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to both see patients directly in the office and provide direct care via telemedicine.
Video Visit appointments are still available as an option. Simply call us at (717) 826-9770 with questions or to schedule a virtual visit. To learn more about our Video Visit service, see below.
Thank you for your trust and the privilege to serve you. Please stay safe and well.
Best,
The physicians, nurse practitioners, and staff of Pulmonary Associates of Lancaster
COVID Long-Haul or Post-COVID Syndrome
According to the American Medical Association, it is estimated that anywhere from 15% to 80% of patients may experience long COVID after recovering—even if they weren’t very sick in the first place.
More studies will continue to provide information; however, currently the most common long-term symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Brain fog or cognitive impairment
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Headaches
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Shortness of breath and in some cases, patients require oxygen treatment for weeks to months due to permanent damage to the lungs
- Kidney dysfunction
- Newly diagnosed diabetes or worsened control of diabetes
We will continue to see and treat patients with COVID long haul. Please call our office at 717-826-9770 to schedule an appointment.
What is Video Visit?
A Video Visit is a service delivery model that delivers healthcare services through a two-way, real-time interactive video-audio communication for the purpose of evaluation, diagnosis, consultation, or treatment.
During COVID-19, a Video Visit is meant to compliment and, in some cases, replace the need for face-to-face care allowing our patients to seek and receive needed care without coming into the physical office by leveraging commonly available technology.
What technology is used for a Video Visit?
We will be primarily using DOXY.ME for our Video Visits. This will require the use of a smartphone or computer. Our clinical staff will assist you with this technology prior to your visit.
Other technology platforms (Skype, Zoom, Apple FaceTime) may be used if necessary.
We will NOT conduct telemedicine visits using Facebook Live, Twitch, TikTok, or similar public-facing video communication applications.
How do I make a Video Visit appointment?
As always, our patients can reach out to our practice by calling our main telephone number – 717-826-9770 – or through the My Health portal where questions and issues will be addressed by our trained and knowledgeable clinical staff. As with any contact with our office, if physician care is required, you will be contacted by our staff to schedule either a Video Visit or office-based appointment. These Video Visit encounters will be scheduled by our front desk scheduling staff. Our clinical team will contact you approximately 30 minutes prior to your Video visit and instruct you how to set up the visit on your smartphone or computer.