April 21, 2020
Notification to Allergy Patients:
As of Monday, April 27th we are pleased to announce the resumption of allergy immunotherapy shots and sublingual drops at our Albany location.
In accordance with NYS requirements, we require anyone entering either location maintain:
- facial masking of nose and mouth
- social distancing of at least 6 feet. (This may require that we ask you to wait outside for a period of time so make sure you dress accordingly.)
Our allergy shot hours will remain the same as prior to our temporary closure:
Monday 7:30am-5:00pm
Tuesday 7:30am-5:00pm
Wednesday 7:30am-5:30pm
Thursday 7:30am-5:00pm
Friday 7:30am-5:00pm
Existing Shot (SCIT) Patients
Depending on your dose and interval prior to 3/26/20, your dose may have to be lowered. The nurses will go over your individualized plan for re-escalation at your first return shot visit.
New Shot (SCIT) Patients
As previously discussed, you will have to avoid antihistamines and other contraindicated medications before your initial vial test. Expect to be in the office for 15 minutes for your first visit. The allergy nurse will review the escalating protocol with you.
Existing Allergy Drop (SLIT) Patients
We will mail drops directly to you at our expense until 6/1/2020, after which time in-office pick up will resume.
New Allergy Drop (SLIT) Patients
If you were notified that your drops are ready prior to or after 3/26/20, please remember to bring your Epi-Pen and liquid Benadryl with you to your initial and second visits. Expect to return on or about six days after your initial visit. Initial and second visits will require a 30 minute wait in the office.
Allergy Testing Patients
Patients that have missed a scheduled allergy test will be contacted to reschedule.
April 8, 2020
As a region, growth in COVID-19 hospitalizations remains small and relatively stable. Healthcare leaders and our regional hospitals are cautiously optimistic that the head start with social distancing is making the difference.
In cases where patients have stopped shots due to COVID, please be assured that once it is felt safe to resume these, we will expedite this process and get everyone back to their prior levels in a safe and expeditious way.
- Those patients currently receiving outpatient allergy shots.
- a. In cases where outpatient allergy shots have previously been arranged and are already in progress, we will continue to make your allergy vials and send them to the treating physician, as before.
- b. Please call or use our patient portal to order refills when needed, as before.
- Those patients currently on sublingual immunotherapy or so-called allergy drops or SLIT.
- a. If you are at maintenance dosing, we will refill your vial and mail this to you.
- b. If you were in the process of dose escalation for sublingual allergy drops, we will continue your dosing at the last dose received in order not to disrupt treatment, with escalation resuming once the office resumes normal operations.
- c. Please call or use our patient portal to order refills when needed, as before.
If you have any issues due to increased symptoms or a seasonal allergy flare-up, please call the office or use our website to arrange an interactive video telemedicine consultation to address your concerns and manage your symptoms. Telemedicine appointments can made directly on our website without the need to call office.
We will notify you as soon as we have an indication that normal office operations will resume.
Sincerely,
The Allergy Department
(518) 701-2090 to schedule a telemedicine visit
(518) 701-2093 for the Allergy Department
(518) 701-2088 for Medical Records
(518) 701-2086 for Billing
(518) 701-2092 for Test Results and Medication Refills
March 26, 2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Allergy Department will be closed for allergy shots and allergy skin testing for the coming weeks. We apologize for any inconvenience caused here resulting from the interruption of your treatment, however, your health and safety at this time is our primary concern, along with that of our staff.
If you are a sublingual allergy patient (SLIT or allergy drops) you will be contacted by the practice. We are still preparing your serum. We will arrange for your drops to be mailed directly to you.
Please continue to visit our website and Facebook page for updates.
Sincerely,
The Allergy Department