COVID Update
Dear Patients, (Updated 7-7-2020) We at Sayana Medical & Wellness Center send you our best wishes during this challenging time. In order to keep you safe during this pandemic, we have taken time to make the necessary changes so as to minimize your risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Tele-medicine and In-Person Appointments
- We now offer both Tele-Medicine for new and followup visits, as well as in-person appointments for physicals.
- We continue to offer blood draws, IVs, acupuncture and myofascial release through in-person visits for patients who have been referred to these services by our providers.
- We only offer tele-medicine visits for patients with urgent or new respiratory, gastrointestinal or possible exposure to COVID -19. If deemed necessary, COVID19 nasal swab or throat testing can be done by our staff outside our facility on certain days of the week. We can also order COVID-19 antibody testing to be performed with us or at a lab, if it is deemed necessary by your provider.
While many things have changed due to the pandemic, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your health and safety.
Our office follows the infection control recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We are committed to ensuring that our infection control procedures are current and effective.
We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have. To make an appointment (either in-person or for Telemedicine visits), please call us at (818) 331-4386 or email us info@sayanamedical.com
Most of all, thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty, and look forward to continuing to partner with you in your health.
Sincerely,
Dr. Shilpa Sayana and the team at Sayana Medical.
New safety protocols
- ALL IN-PERSON visits to the clinic , are required to COMPLETE AN ONLINE FORM with COVID-19 screening questions prior to your appointment. This form will be sent prior to your appointment.
- We have Hepa/UV filters in the exam rooms to help minimize the risk of transmission during a visit
- To maximize social distancing, we are trying not to have any patients in the waiting area so please call the office when you arrive for your appointment so specific instructions can be given to you.
- Before you enter our office, your temperature will be measured and screening of symptoms will be assessed
- The staff will be in protective gear so as to minimize risk to exposure. You will also be required to be wear a mask/face covering at all times during your in-person visit.
- We have dedicated staff members whose main responsibility is to clean and disinfect the office
- Staff are checked daily for temperature and symptoms. Staff (if sick) are asked to stay at home and we are all tested for COVID-19 at a regular frequency.
Communication outside of appointments
- For Medicare patients, you have access to a messaging app called Spruce. This allows you to be in contact with your provider via a HIPPA compliant system should you have a question about your health between clinical appointments. If you are not already signed up for Spruce, please call the office for more information.
- For all other patients, please contact the office to learn more about the Spruce messaging system.
Ready to get started?
We wanted to share some information with you regarding COVID-19 and to answer some common questions. Please keep in mind this is an evolving situation as the world and the US continues to learn more.
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions. We will update them as needed.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about COVID-19
If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as a cough or difficulty breathing, stay at home and call us for a virtual visit and we can evaluate & treat you through video or over the phone.
You should also stay in a specific “sick room” if possible, and away from other people in your home and community. Use a separate bathroom, if available. Remember to wear a face mask if you are sick or caring for someone who is sick.
Trouble breathing is a more serious symptom that means you should get medical attention. If you are having trouble breathing, seek medical attention, but call first. Call us or the emergency room before going in and tell them your symptoms. They will tell you what to do.
Call 911 if you have a medical emergency. Visit the CDC website to learn more.
In terms of home equipment, it can be useful for all patients to have::
– a working digital thermometer
– a pulse oximeter (can be ordered on Amazon)
– a blood pressure cuff (also ordered on Amazon, I prefer Omron brand and one that is not battery dependent but anyone will do)
– a face mask to wear if you are sick or caring for someone who is sick. Do not hoard face masks. In a public health emergency like this, the lack of face masks makes it unsafe for trained health care professionals like myself to care for the sick.
First, use the CDC’s online Coronavirus Self-Checker.
The first testing option is through the LA County DPH, which has specific testing criteria and is ramping up testing through drive-thru sites. You can request an appointment on the link below. https://lacovidprod.service-now.com/rrs
Second option is with us, get screened during a tele medicine visits and the provider will order a test if it is necessary.
Yes, we are open and are still offering all services but with some important changes. New or existing patients should call the office first to set up a telemedicine video or phone call with one of our providers. We are now able to bill most insurance plans for telemedicine consults. We will collect the same copay as you have for your regular in-person visits and you will be responsible for any remaining amount if you have a deductible.
We are now also offering IV services, microcurrent, Acupuncture and Myofacial release services but please be aware of the following protocol when you have these appointments.
If you are feeling sick in any way, or are caring for someone who has fever or respiratory symptoms, please call us in advance and cancel your appointment.
Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap before leaving your home.
Please arrive at least 5-10 minutes before your appointment time.
Before entering the clinic, first call us from your car to confirm that we are ready to see you. We will keep our waiting lobby empty to adhere to social distancing protocols.
Please wear a surgical mask before you come in. If you do not have one, please let us know when you call.
Please forgive our appearance as we will be wearing face masks and goggles to protect staff and patients.
After you have been checked out, you can not wait in the clinic for any reason. If you are waiting for a ride to pick you up, please wait outside.
We reserve the right to cancel appointments if patients do not follow this protocol.
At this time, the following insurance plans will cover telemedicine visits with our providers. Contact your insurance plan to confirm. This list is subject to change as insurance plans update their policies.
- Medicare
- Tricare
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Blue Shield of California
- United Healthcare
- Cigna
- Healthnet
Yes, you can and we have most things in stock. Please call the front desk to pay for them in advance and arrange a time for you to pick them up. When you arrive, call us from your car to let us know you’re outside. We will have them ready at the front door for you to pick up.
We also offer the option to Fedex supplements. Patients will need to pay for the cost of shipping at the time of purchase.
Yes we will be resuming these services on April 7th. The protocol for in-person appointments (see above) still applies, so please review the protocol. When you arrive, call us and make sure our phlebotomist is ready for you before leaving your car.
In February, before COVID-19 was an issue in our community, we launched a program called Stay Connected. Stay Connected uses a secure, HIPAA compliant messaging app and is available for patients who want to communicate with our providers between appointments. We guarantee a response to clinical questions within 72 hours or less when patients message us through the Stay Connected program. The program is free for Medicare patients and is available as a paid monthly subscription for everyone else. Please call us to learn more.
You can still always call our refill line for any refills of non-controlled medications and can usually get 3-6 months refilled.
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I hope that you find this information helpful. We are here for you and will provide you with future updates as more information becomes available. Meanwhile, please stay at home, wash your hands, and stay in touch with friends and family (virtually).
Warmest regards
The Sayana Medical providers and staff.