COVID-19 Triage Policy

As the community spread and the resurgence of Covid-19 continues, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends alternatives to face-to-face visits with healthcare providers.

Telehealth services can facilitate public health mitigation strategies during this pandemic by increasing social distancing. These services can be a safer option for health care personnel and patients by reducing potential infectious exposures. They can reduce the strain on healthcare systems by minimizing the surge of patient demand on facilities and reduce the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by healthcare providers.

Kidney Specialists of New Mexico, P.C. will not turn any patient away simply because a patient calls with acute respiratory symptoms. If a patient is symptomatic or has suspicion of a Covid-19 exposure, the patient should be triaged and encouraged to schedule a visit via telemedicine or telephone and also be referred for testing according to the New Mexico Department of Health and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. Any refusal/assessment/care may lead to concerns of patient abandonment.

There are FOUR different ways to triage our patients at Kidney Specialists of New Mexico, P.C.

Telemedicine

Changes in the way that health care is delivered during this pandemic are needed to reduce staff exposure to ill persons, preserve Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and minimize the impact of patient surges on facilities. We have to adjust the way we triage, evaluate, and care for patients using methods that do not rely on in-person services. Telehealth services help provide necessary care to patients while minimizing the transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, to healthcare personnel and patients.

We encourage, and will promote to our patients, the option to utilize telemedicine as a primary modality for their renal care during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Designated Triage Location

We understand that there are limitations with technological devices (e.g., smartphone, tablet, computer) needed for a telehealth visit or connectivity issues, and the level of comfort with technology for our patients. Therefore, we will offer our patients a designated triage location where patients can drive through and our staff can set the patient up with a device for a telemedicine visit with one of our providers.

Telephone

We provide outreach to patients with limited technology and connectivity and accessibility with a telephone visit.

Face-to-Face/In Person

There are situations in which face-to-face, in-person visits are more appropriate due to underlying health conditions, or, inability to perform an adequate physical exam otherwise on the telehealth platform, or per the patient’s choice, our provider will see a patient in person. Patients will be asked to sign a Patient Advisory and Acknowledgement form upon arrival in our office.

Patient Advisory and Acknowledgment Form

Please download, print, and fill out the Patient Advisory and Acknowledgement form before your visit to our office.