COVID-19 has changed the way everyone lives and does business in profound ways, dermatologists included. Does this mean you’re out of luck if you’re in need of a cosmetic treatment or care for a chronic skin condition, like rosacea or acne?
Dr. Alexis Stephens and the entire team at Parkland Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery remain ready to consult with and treat you, especially during these unusual times. The key is that our office has creatively redesigned how we work with you so that your treatment experience — even now — remains safe.
Because Dr. Stephens strives to maintain a progressive approach to patient care at her practice, she has incorporated new treatment protocols as she considers the risks and realities that COVID-19 poses. Patient safety remains her top priority.
When considering your need for care, know that Dr. Stephens is prioritizing seeing you if you experience a dermatologic emergency and that you should contact our office if we or you have canceled a previously scheduled appointment due to COVID-19 to discuss how to proceed.
Depending on your condition, we may postpone your appointment to a later date or schedule a telehealth visit with you, where Dr. Stephens communicates with you via video chat. It’s easy and there’s a special tab on our website to schedule a visit this way, as long as you're not experiencing an emergency.
Telehealth visits allow you to receive:
Dr. Stephens offers consultations to diagnose or check in about whatever your condition might be, from acne to psoriasis, and she can observe unusual spots or growths on your skin, and determine whether any melanoma-related exam is safe to reschedule or not.
Dr. Stephens regularly reviews the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Dermatology Association, two highly respected entities that offer guidance to clinicians during this time.
If you have a dermatology emergency or a planned in-office treatment that Dr. Stephens deems necessary and not elective, you — as well as all staff — are screened for COVID-19 symptoms before entering our office. This means that we:
We also ask about whether you’re experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms if we call to remind you of an appointment, before you come in.
We’re wearing personal protective equipment, practicing social distancing (keeping six feet apart from others), and employing good handwashing hygiene that you’ve probably become familiar with over the last few months from public health messaging. Likewise, we’re refraining from touching our faces and ask that you do, too.
We’re keeping our office scrupulously clean, wiping down exam rooms after every patient is seen, and we’ve removed high-touch items like magazines from our office. You’ll find plenty of hand sanitizer, tissues, and wastebaskets in our office as well, to promote good sanitization practices.
Dermatology is a field in which clinicians prescribe immunosuppressive drugs. Dr. Stephens will advise you if she believes it’s safe for you to continue taking your medication based on several factors, such as your condition and the particular drug she prescribed.
We now know that one of the symptoms of COVID-19 is lesions that appear on the hands or feet, and this is something Dr. Stephens is always mindful of, as she treats patients remotely and in person.
Even in this uncertain time, it’s important to take care of yourself and your skin. Call us to schedule an appointment or consultation. Since we need to determine initially whether you need a telehealth or in-office visit, it’s best to call us and discuss your needs rather than using our online booking tool at this time.
