At Rocky Mountain Foot & Ankle, accessibility to medical care while ensuring the health and safety of all our patients, their families, and the extended community has always been our primary concern.
In the midst of a pandemic, that commitment is especially critical. People are being encouraged to stay home and are justifiably concerned about their infection risks—and yet, many kinds of foot and ankle problems just can’t wait weeks or months to be addressed.
So how is our practice able to continue providing essential health services to our patients while also doing our part to contain the spread of COVID-19? Two important ways we’re keeping you safe is by offering telemedicine and valet services for our in-person appointments.
Telemedicine Appointments
Speaking with Dr. Burk or Dr. Reed via video conference is a great choice for patients with non-urgent needs who are either unable to make it to an in-person visit, or would simply feel safer or more comfortable at home.
Obviously, we can’t take an X-ray or administer an injection over the phone.
However, much can still be accomplished with telemedicine, including:
- Visual examination/inspection of a problem
- Reviewing lab/biopsy results
- Most types of follow-up appointments
- Answering any questions you have
- Providing treatment recommendations
What Do I Need for Telemedicine?
We can conduct a video appointment over any of the most common and popular video call platforms, including Skype, FaceTime, and Google Hangouts. Whatever you are most comfortable with is fine. Our scheduling department will contact you in advance of your appointment to work out the details.
Obviously, you’ll need a device capable of making such calls:
- a smartphone,
- a tablet,
- a laptop or desktop computer
with webcam/microphone, etc.
That’s pretty much it! We’d also highly recommend you ensure you have a quiet, well-lit space for your appointment, and a stable Internet connection. Consider temporarily shutting off any other devices at home that may be using the same Wi-Fi bandwidth (streaming TV and music, other phones or computers you aren’t using, etc.)
Need Help But Can’t Come in?
Call us today and ask us about our telemedicine appointments!
Call on the friendly experienced foot doctors at Rocky Mountain.
We specialize in treating foot and ankle pain or injuries of all varieties.
What if I Still Need to Come Into the Office?
Some services, including direct treatments, diagnostic imaging, and urgent or emergency care must still be handled in-person. Our office remains open to handle these kinds of appointments. Here are a few of the ways we’re adapting to keep you safe:
VALET SERVICES
If you have an in-person appointment, you do not have to sit in the waiting room. Just call us when you pull into the parking lot. We will come get you when it’s time for your appointment and take you straight back to your exam room. If you just need to pick something up at the pharmacy (for example, a medication or product you normally get from us, or something we recommended on your telemedicine call), we will bring it out to you.
MEETING OR EXCEEDING ALL CDC GUIDELINES
Our team is closely monitoring the situation for updates. In the meantime, we are frequently sanitizing all high traffic areas and surfaces, providing hand sanitizer, maintaining physical separation between patients and staff (to the greatest extent possible), wearing masks and gloves, and taking any other necessary measures.
It’s also important to note that, because our practice is freestanding and not connected to a primary or urgent care facility, we are a much lower-risk environment than most other types of medical offices. Getting your needed treatment here, rather than being forced to go to a hospital, is another way we’re helping keep you safe.
The Care You Need, When and How You Need it
We’re doing everything in our power to keep our commitment to serving our patients and their families safely and successfully, even in the midst of a challenging situation.
If you would like to schedule an appointment, ask if your appointment can be conducted via telemedicine, or have any questions at all about what our office is doing to help combat the spread of COVID-19, please feel free to give us a call. We are here for you!
Do You Or A Family Member Need The Help Of An Experienced Podiatrist In The Caldwell Or Meridian, Idaho Area?
If you're seeking the help of an experienced podiatrist you owe it to yourself to speak with our doctors as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact us online or call our office directly at 208.855.5955 to schedule your appointment. We service all areas surrounding Meridian, Idaho as well as all areas in the Caldwell, Idaho area. We look forward to helping you!
