COVID-19 Status – Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology

November 24, 2020

Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology continues to provide all of our patients with efficient, safe and comfortable care amidst the evolving challenges created by COVID-19. We have resumed performing every type of dermatologic, surgical, and cosmetic procedure without limitations.

Safety remains paramount – and always will! We continue to screen all patients AND staff upon entry into each facility. We do wear masks and we ask all of our patients to wear masks, too. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols are tirelessly and rigorously performed twice daily in every office. All examination and surgical rooms are thoroughly cleaned after every patient. Our waiting rooms remain socially distanced and significant efforts are being made to keep any waiting times as short as possible.

Internet technology enables us to continue to offer Tele-Dermatology appointments. Completing all of your patient forms online is simple and easy and safe!

As 2020 finishes, may we all continue to exercise safe and healthy practices. And may we all look after those who may need extra assistance, especially during the Holidays. Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology remains committed to the health and safety of our community. It is a privilege to be your dermatology provider and we look forward to serving all of your dermatology needs in the New Year.

April 30, 2020

As we all feel more cautiously confident to leave home, Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology welcomes you to experience the safest and cleanest dermatology experience in the entire region. Safety and hygiene remain everyone’s paramount concern and we wish to reassure you that our concern for your overall safety and comfort while addressing your dermatology concerns remains our highest priority.

Every patient has the option of completing all necessary forms ON-LINE from the convenience and safety of their own home. It is simple and easy!

As you arrive at any of our four practice locations, please expect to be screened for symptoms of COVID-19, both at the front door and also upon checking in. All employees are also screened every day, too! If you are punctual for your appointment, every effort will be made to escort you directly to your exam room. If this is not feasible, you may be offered the opportunity to wait in the comfort of your car if you desire. Our waiting rooms are now “socially distanced” and have had all reading materials removed, so bring your own book or reading device if you wish. Extra-stringent and extra-frequent cleaning protocols are employed in every part of the practice for everyone’s safety and well-being.

We hope to be able to resume Mohs Surgery procedures in mid-May. Mohs Surgery patients (and no more than one guest) will be allowed to wait in the safety and privacy of the surgery rooms if desired. For greater safety, the post-surgical follow-up visit can be performed electronically (via tele-dermatology) in certain cases.

TeleDermatology visits are still available and encouraged for anyone who feels more comfortable meeting with the dermatology provider on-line.

Safety First! Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology is successfully improving the manner in which we deliver care in multiple ways so that we can support the nationwide initiative to combat the spread of COVID-19.

We again thank our community for their support and understanding. We wish everyone to be safe and to continue to exercise safe practices and also to look after those who may need extra assistance. Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology is honored to be your dermatology provider and we remain ever-confident in a bright future for all.

Very Sincerely,

David C. Adams, MD, FACMS

April 2, 2020

A Special Message to Every Member of Our Community.

Coastal Skin Surgery & Dermatology wishes to re-emphasize our commitment to all of our patients and their families and the many wonderful communities which we are privileged to serve. Please rest assured that we remain here to support you. Whether via TeleDermatology or in-person (for urgent conditions), Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology is here for you.

Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology is adapting the manner in which we deliver care so that we can support the nationwide initiative to “Slow the Spread” of COVID-19. Teledermatology is now able to take the place of many (but not quite all) in-person visits. TeleDermatology is fully approved and promoted by Medicare and most all commercial insurance carriers since dermatology services can be provided while the patient remains safely at home. Signing up for a TeleDermatology “visit” is easy, whether you are a new patient or you are already established. All of our forms are ONLINE and can be easily completed via, computer, tablet, or cell phone. You can even call any of our offices to also schedule a TeleDermatology visit.

For those conditions requiring urgent attention, appointments can still be scheduled and seen with an “in-person” visit. If you believe that you have an urgent dermatologic matter or concern, then we encourage you to simply call one of our offices to schedule.

We thank our community for their support and understanding. We wish everyone to be safe and to continue to exercise safe practices and also to look after those who may need extra assistance. Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology is honored to be your dermatology provider and we are ever-confident that we will all get through this.

Very Sincerely,

David C. Adams, MD, FACMS

March 31, 2020

TeleDermatology (Telemedicine) is a VERY POSITIVE ADVANCE IN MODERN MEDICINE enables patients to get dermatologic medical care by electronic means. Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, many insurance carriers (to include Medicare and most commercial insurers) approve of this modality and approve it to be billed as a routine office visit. Normal charges and/or co-pays do apply as would for a face-to-face visit.

Expected Benefits:

Improved access to a dermatologic specialist by enabling a patient to remain in his/her local site (i.e. home) while the dermatology provider consults at another location.
More convenient and efficient medical evaluation and management without the risk of travelling to see the provider.
Online medical forms now available for patients to fill out and submit to our office without any printing or scanning.

Possible Risks:

As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks associated with the use of Teledermatology. These risks include, but may not be limited to:

In rare cases, the consultant may determine that the transmitted information is of inadequate quality, thus necessitating a face-to-face meeting with the patient, or at least a rescheduled video consult;
Delays in medical evaluation and treatment could occur due to deficiencies or failures of the equipment;
In very rare instances, security protocols could fail, causing a breach of privacy of personal medical information;

Very Sincerely,

David C. Adams, MD, FACMS

March 17, 2020

The Department of Homeland Security defines our medical practice as a part of the critical infrastructure industry which requires us to maintain a normal work schedule.

Coastal Skin Surgery and Dermatology remains committed to the well-being and safety of all of our patients, employees, and communities. We re-assure you important measures have been implemented with the guidance of the Center for Disease Control and the Florida Department of Health to ensure the safety of everyone involved with every patients’ visit to our offices, while continuing to provide outstanding patient care to everyone.

We have instituted stringent cleanliness protocols to help further protect the health and wellness of our patients. These include;

Increased cleaning frequency of waiting rooms, examination rooms, common areas and restrooms.
All magazines have been removed from our waiting rooms
Clinical staff have been advised to wash hands with soap and water before and after every patient encounter.

Our Medical Practice has implemented a formal Stay-at-Home Policy (Download/View Policy) for any staff member who feels ill. We ask only those required to be present for the appointment or procedure to enter our facility unless otherwise instructed. In addition, we ask any individual patient or guest who is feeling ill or is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, or who has traveled on a cruise ship and/or left the country in the last 14-days to reschedule your appointment and NOT enter our facility.

To decrease the amount of unnecessary contact between patients and staff we have implemented optional waiting room protocols which include;

After checking-in at the front desk you will be given the option of waiting in your vehicle until the start of your appointment.
You will be called on your mobile phone when the provider is ready to see you. If able, patients will be escorted directly to the exam rooms.
Mohs Surgery patients will be allowed to remain in the private surgery rooms prior to procedure if they choose.

We will continuously monitor and observe the government recommendations and Federal or State Government mandates to continue to provide the most comprehensive dermatological care to patients of all ages while remaining focused on delivering the highest level of service possible to everyone in our community.

Very Sincerely,

David C. Adams, MD, FACMS

Update on 3/20/2020:
Fewer Regulations from Trump Administration leads to telehealth becoming more widely available.

COVID-19 Updates from Official Sources