Dear NAMG patient,
As you are well aware, our country and the world is dealing with a serious infectious pandemic from the COVID-19 virus (the novel Corona virus). We are beginning to see suspected and known cases of this viral illness in the Inland Empire counties, already having resulted in some deaths. If proactive aggressive measures of personal “social” distancing are not taken promptly, a much wider spread of this virus would be anticipated. MANDATORY restrictions are being recommended by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at a national level, by the state of California, as well as local municipal governments.
To face our responsibility, Nephrology Associates Medical Group will do the following:
- We will review all upcoming appointments and communicate changes to our patients.
- We will reschedule appointments to a later date for stable patients as determined by the discretion of your nephrologist after reviewing your clinical history & labs. We will use telemedicine when possible.
- We will continue providing medication refills, as we normally do electronically or by phone.
- Your nephrologist will review your critical labs and our medical assistants will contact you with medical instructions as needed. Routine matters will otherwise be handled accordingly.
- We will adapt to the expected impact on our office schedules as some of our staff, many of whom have children at home not at school, may not be able to come to work in order to stay home and care for their families.
- We have gathered a team of administrators and physicians to stay informed of updated recommendations from health authorities, educate our staff, and responds to patient questions.
- We pledge to you that our physicians, administrators, and staff will remain calm in our decision making to continue to meet your needs, instead of giving in to panic or fear.
Office precautions:
- Do NOT come into the office if you have cold-like symptoms (cough/fever/sore throat/runny nose) or recently traveled long distance in close proximity to passengers, please call to reschedule.
- Office staff who have symptoms are also asked NOT to come to work for self-quarantine.
- Signs will be posted at entrance of all facilities, asking patients NOT to enter if they have symptoms. Upon check in, receptionists will also ask screening questions.
- Waiting rooms and exam rooms will be disinfected per CDC guidelines. Seating will be 6 feet apart. Number of patients in waiting areas will be limited to 10. Office staff is instructed on strict hand hygiene and wearing face masks when applicable.
- Family members and friends are asked NOT to come to appointments unless absolutely necessary.
- If you are not contacted to reschedule and do not have any symptoms, come in as scheduled.
- Please direct your non-nephrology concerns if they are not urgent, to your primary care provider.
If you have cold-like symptoms AND shortness of breath OR acutely ill, then go the emergency room at your local hospital.
If you only have cold-like symptoms (cough / fever / sore throat / runny nose) please stay home for self-quarantine. You may obtain testing for COVID-19 at the following outpatient sites made available by the County Public Health to prevent ER overcrowding:
-
Adelanto:
11336 Bartlett Suite 11
760-956 4422 -
Corona:
2813 S. Main St
951-272 5445 -
Hemet:
880 N. State St
951-766 2450 -
Hesperia:
16453 Bear Valley Rd
800-722 4777 -
Lake Elsinore:
2499 E. Lakeshore Dr
951-471 4200 -
Ontario:
150 E. Holt Blvd
800-782 4264 -
Riverside:
7140 Indiana Ave
951-358 6000 -
San Bernardino:
606 E. Mill St
800-722 4777
Additional Resources:
www.namg.net for office phone number
www.cdc.gov for more information
We want to emphasize that maintaining your kidney health is very important to us. Although we will be busy at the hospitals, dialysis centers and our clinics; our overriding priority will be taking actions to help reduce the spread of this virus to help keep our communities healthy.
Sincerely,
NAMG Physicians and Management
