Deciding whether to keep your routine appointments?

The COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak is gaining speed, and social distancing recommendations are becoming more restrictive. You may wonder whether you should keep your routine appointments with Landmark, or postpone them for later.

If you’re a Landmark patient, you likely have multiple chronic conditions that you manage, so it is important to you keep routine visits. Staying on top of your conditions can help keep you out of the emergency room or hospital.

Currently, all routine Landmark visits are taking place by phone or video, to protect you and our providers from COVID-19. Phone and video visits:

• limit virus exposure for you and for your providers
• follow the practice of social distancing, and
• include COVID-19 screening questions to proactively help you as needed.

If we determine you need medical care, we may send a provider out for an urgent visit (non-COVID-19 related), with appropriate protective equipment to protect you and our provider. Phone and video visits, screening questions, and protective equipment are examples of the precautions Landmark is taking to help keep our patients and providers safe.

Remember, Landmark continues to have providers available to you by phone, 24/7. Call Landmark first. For more information on this topic, read on for an interview with Dr. David Hirota.

Interview with David Hirota MD, Senior Medical Officer and Regional Medical Director for Landmark

Question:

Dr. Hirota, does Landmark continue to encourage patients to have routine health appointments, even if they’re not feeling sick?

Dr. Hirota:
We currently encourage patients to postpone their in-office routine appointments, unless you have a serious health issue that needs to be urgently addressed. This is now the recommendation of the medical community to minimize COIVD-19 exposure risk.

Question:

Does Landmark offer telephone support for mental health issues?

Dr. Hirota:

Yes, Landmark offers telephonic support for our patients who have behavioral health issues. We have noticed an increase in calls mental health calls, in particular, and can help patients with their concerns.

Question:

What about nutritional needs? Are Landmark nutritionists available for phone or video consultations with Landmark patients?

Dr. Hirota:

Staying healthy by maintaining proper nutrition should be a focus for all of us. Landmark nutritionists are available for phone consultations. Contact Landmark for nutrition help if you have any questions.

Question:

Should patients be concerned about allowing a Landmark provider into their home during social distancing? Why or why not?

Dr. Hirota:

Given the current environment and recommendations around social distancing, having a healthy amount of skepticism about having anyone visit at present time is reasonable. Landmark is currently providing most of its “visits” by phone. An in-home urgent visit would only occur as a shared decision. Any in-home urgent visit would occur with our provider wearing appropriate protective equipment such as eye protection, mask, gown, and gloves.

Question:

Is it safe for Landmark patients to have routine lab work completed (such as blood draws) by Landmark providers during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Dr. Hirota:

We would generally recommend postponing routine testing unless it is needed for an urgent or semi-urgent situation. Our providers will not be collecting lab samples at present time unless it happens to coincide with an urgent visit.

Question:

Is it safe for Landmark patients to have loved ones, including family, come into the home to drop off food or socialize?

Dr. Hirota:

For the U.S. to help slow the spread of COVID-19, we need to practice social distancing. This involves limiting contact with others who do not already live in that residence. This a good time to drop off care packages for loved ones, or use FaceTime or other social media applications to connect.