During the past year, many people have felt insecure about leaving their homes. After all, leaving home could pose a potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus — both to oneself and others. However, there are perfectly valid reasons for people to leave their homes during a pandemic, as many of us know. Shopping for the essentials and going to work are on many peoples’ lists of reasons to leave the home, but routine healthcare sometimes did not make the list.
Healthcare, including the services offered at MVS, should always take priority, even in the face of a pandemic.
When Is It Acceptable To Leave My Home During COVID For Health Reasons?
Recent studies have shown that nearly 70% of Americans put off going to the doctor during 2020, and many doctors worry that this could have adverse impacts on people’s long-term health. Long-term health often relies upon the health of routine check-ups, so it’s essential to see your doctor for preventative care, even in the wake of COVID-19. Putting off your healthcare for any period of time could potentially put you at risk for serious complications.
We recommend visiting the doctor for the following reasons:
- Routine follow-up care or monitoring of existing health conditions
- Vascular care
- Routine vaccinations
- Colonoscopies
- Annual check-ups
- Cancer screenings
- Yearly gynecological exams
- Visits to the eye doctor if macular degeneration runs in the family
- Visits to the dermatologist for cancer screenings
- Visits to the dentist
- Wound assessment & wound care
- Emergencies
What Safety Precautions Is MVS Taking During COVID?
Our offices at Maryland Vascular Specialists are following CDC guidelines and have put protocols in place in order to keep our patients and staff as safe as possible, while still delivering exceptional care.
MVS has been extremely diligent about taking steps to mitigate the possibility of transmission of the coronavirus within our offices. Not only is this in an effort to keep everyone safe, but this is also a conscious effort by the providers and staff at MVS to care for our patient’s vascular health without an elevated fear of infection from COVID-19.
First, MVS calls all our patients before their appointments and screens them for any symptoms of COVID-19. Once patients arrive, we take their temperature — if you are running a fever, we will reschedule your appointment. For those without a fever, you can expect to be shown to a room that has been sterilized before your entry and after you leave. We have modified our cleaning routines within the offices to ensure all surfaces are sanitized with medical grade cleaners in order to protect our patients, providers and staff members. MVS adheres to CDC guidelines to minimize risk of infection while in our care.
Why Should I See A Specialist At MVS?
The Specialists at MVS treat several vascular conditions, including:
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Non-healing wounds
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Abdominal aortic disease
- Leg pain
- Carotid artery disease
- Mesenteric ischemia
- May-Thurner syndrome
- Renal vascular disease
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): also known as blood clots
- Dialysis access
- Swollen legs and ankles
- Foot pain
Any of these conditions or symptoms are severe enough to outweigh the risk of leaving home during COVID, as they may indicate more serious health problems. If you or someone you know has any of these symptoms, please call the closest MVS location to you to schedule a consult with one of our vascular surgeons.
We ensure that your health and safety is and always has been our top priority, whether that means protecting you from recurring vascular disease or protecting you from a pandemic. We’re here for you.