08/03/2021
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: Dealing with Extremely High COVID-19 Positivity Rates
I live in Florida, more specifically, Brevard County. For the past week, my county of 615,000 people registered 3,516 new COVID-19 cases with a New Case Positivity of 23.9% (CDC warns it should not go above 5%). I am vaccinated with two Moderna shots, yet I still do not want to test out the effectiveness of the vaccine against the variants. Are there any new suggestions for us to implement? We have never had numbers this high.
Richard A. Simmons, DPM Rockledge, FL
02/24/2021
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: Guidelines for Employee Return to Work Post COVID-10 Infection
One of my podiatry assistants had COVID-19 almost three weeks ago. Fortunately, she recovered quickly and has been asymptomatic for around two weeks. She was tested a few days after she was asymptomatic, but unexpectedly tested positive. According to some literature, false positive tests could continue for several weeks. What are the guidelines I need to follow to have her safely return to work. She wants to return to work as soon as possible but obviously I have to do what is morally and legally correct. Any input would be appreciated.
Name Withheld
Editor's Comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. The CDC guidelines on returning to work can be found here.
01/29/2021
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: Reimbursement for PPE
I am curious if anyone is getting reimbursed for PPE. The prices have skyrocketed and I would love to be able to recoup some of the cost. Any information would be appreciated.
Dave Williams, DPM, El Paso, TX
01/11/2021
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: Coercion to Write COVID-19 Vaccination Authorization Letters
Has anyone encountered this problem? Relatives, former employees, and billing people who work from their homes, want me to give them letters saying that they work with patients when they do not. At this point in time in New York, only people who work with patients can get vaccinated. The threats are tremendous. I am beginning to feel like Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca. Those who know me know that I am no Bogie but I feel like Bogart when Ingrid Bergmann pointed the gun at him asking for the transit papers. It’s becoming a very uncomfortable situation. Has anyone dealt effectively with this?
Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY
12/23/2020
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: COVID-19 Vaccine for Podiatrists
When can our profession expect to be in line to receive the COVID- 19 vaccine? Obviously we are healthcare workers and have the highest priority to receive the vaccine according to the CDC protocol. Are there sub-categories within healthcare workers that would prioritize certain specialties? My ophthalmologist received the vaccine last Wednesday. He is employed by Bascom Palmer Eye institute which is part of the University of Miami medical group. When and how will podiatrists be notified when it is our turn to receive the vaccine?
Jack Ressler, DPM, Deray Beach, FL
Editor's note: We have received several similar letters and have learned that some hospitals have vaccinated staff podiatrists, but not non-staff podiatrists.
11/27/2020
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: Podiatrists and Access to COVID-19 Vaccination
In discussions with a colleague, we wondered if podiatrists will be given any priority in having access to COVID-19 vaccines when they become available. The news says that it will only be made available to doctors, nurses, EMTs and other first line responders. Since we also treat patients, will we be able to get this vaccine along with other healthcare workers?
Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY
07/10/2020
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: Telemedicine Across State Lines When Waivers Expire?
Is there any information about how we can participate beyond our own states when current COVID-19 waivers expire, short of applying for licensure in neighboring states just for the purpose of telehealth? For example, patients from New Jersey who come to my New York office that need a video visit? It is currently no problem but the waiver will soon expire.
Bryan C. Markinson, DPM, NY, NY
06/05/2020
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: PPP
I was lucky enough to receive a PPP loan during the initial round. However, I found out too late that I should have included myself up to $100,000 in the calculations. Would I be eligible to re-apply for additional PPP money by adding myself?
Lawrence Kassan, DPM Philadelphia, PA
06/04/2020
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC) - PART 2
Query: HHS Grant Part 2
For those who applied to the CMS/HHS grant part 2, has anyone received it yet? I'm asking those who already received the part 1 grant.
Wenjay Sung, DPM, Arcadia CA
06/04/2020
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: Face Shields?
Are podiatrists wearing face shields when seeing patients?
David Cohen, DPM, Baltimore, MD
05/21/2020
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: Extending ABFAS Certification Time Frame
Has any thought been given to extending the ABFAS board certification time frame regarding surgical logs? Our younger colleagues may miss several months of elective surgery given the COVID-19 outbreak.
Robert P. Thiele, DPM, Somerville, NJ
04/30/2020
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: Removable Acrylic Screens
I am all about safety and precautions. I realize that most offices will need some changes made when we are ready to return to 100, instead of 10, patients per week. We have been using our parking lot as our waiting room, calling patients in one-at-a-time. I have a large waiting room, but not large enough for 6 foot social distancing between patients.
I am also concerned about my front counter. We have an open design and I realize that we will need to install some acrylic screens. I received an email today from DiaMedical showing some nice-looking removable acrylic screens - Separation Screen by Sim Screens. This is a whole new world. Any input or opinions from my colleagues?
Greg Caringi, DPM, Lansdale, PA
04/27/2020
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: COVID-19 Office Rent Reductions?
Has your landlord given you any provision for rent reduction during the next few months? If so, what percentage and for how long a period? Is your building owned by your hospital?
Michael J. Marcus, DPM, Motebello/Irvine, CA
04/10/2020
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: Re-using Surgical Masks
Is anyone using SteriShoes or equivalent using UV light to sterilize and re-use surgical masks? Is autoclaving surgical masks an option to re-use masks?
Catherine Yack, DPM Huntsville, AL
04/09/2020
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: Medicare Accelerated Payments
I completed an application a week ago. I received an email that the application had been received and that’s it. Nothing more. Can anyone shed some light on what more I should be doing or is this normal?
Sam Bell, DPM, Schenectady, NY
04/01/2020
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: Stimulus Loan or Unemployment?
Has anyone been able to research enough to see which is going to be the best option: 1) Stimulus SBA loan to pay yourself and employees that is forgiven or 2) State unemployment with Federal Unemployment Assistance?
Richard A. Simmons, DPM, Rockledge, FL
03/23/2020
QUERIES (CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC)
Query: Dealing With Employees in the Coronavirus Pandemic
With a statewide lock down and a ban on any non-essential, non-emergency medical care or procedures (with a violation fine of $1,000 or 90 days jail), I am trying to figure out how to deal with my employees. I am planning (hopefully) to keep 40% of the staff part time (putting them on hourly pay) and laying off the remaining staff temporarily.
I am interested to hear how my colleagues are dealing with laying off staff and reduced hours? Will I have to pay them for any sick/vacation time they have coming while they are laid off? Also, what can others recommend regarding what other practice expenses can be temporarily stopped in order to survive this financially?
Tom Silver, DPM, Minneapolis, MN
