COVID-19 Plans
As of March 19, 2020, we have decided that we will be trying to limit direct contact between our staff and patients at this time. The office remains open. We will still be consulting with patients, but we'll be using other methods (Telehealth or phone) to try and minimise contact.
This is because of our need to protect both our patients and our staff, and in so doing protecting the community and "flattening the curve".
Technology and determination are key to this. Our staff will spend some time in the office at East Melbourne and other sites, and some time at home. Luckily we're a fully paperless office so the transition to working from home shouldn't be too difficult for them. We may have some glitches, please be understanding, and email us using the contact form. If we don't get back to you, try again. We are implementing contingencies to ensure that we stay connected with our patients in this very difficult time.
For patients seen at other sites, we will be following the same plans.
This is because of our need to protect both our patients and our staff, and in so doing protecting the community and "flattening the curve".
Technology and determination are key to this. Our staff will spend some time in the office at East Melbourne and other sites, and some time at home. Luckily we're a fully paperless office so the transition to working from home shouldn't be too difficult for them. We may have some glitches, please be understanding, and email us using the contact form. If we don't get back to you, try again. We are implementing contingencies to ensure that we stay connected with our patients in this very difficult time.
For patients seen at other sites, we will be following the same plans.
Here to Help
For consulting where possible, our Cardiologists will be using either video consults (Telehealth) or phone consults to assess your condition. We already uses Telehealth a lot to help assess and manage many of his country patients. We describe Telehealth options below.
At the moment, we are focussing on patients who have appointments scheduled between mid-March and end of April.
If you're concerned, email us or ring the rooms. We understand that it's a tough time and there's lots of uncertainty.
Just call the rooms and we'll try and help. Anything to try and help with social distancing, and minimising risk of contact.
At the moment, we are focussing on patients who have appointments scheduled between mid-March and end of April.
If you're concerned, email us or ring the rooms. We understand that it's a tough time and there's lots of uncertainty.
Just call the rooms and we'll try and help. Anything to try and help with social distancing, and minimising risk of contact.
Telehealth and Phone Consults
The Department of Health, through Medicare, has enabled doctors, including specialists, to use a new series of item numbers for patient management. Patients seeing a cardiologist who are eligible for this service, and including city patients, are those who are considered high risk of getting sick with COVID-19.
These are bulk-billed assessments, however you will still need a current referral. Your GP can also do Telehealth or Telephone consults to provide a referral.
Referrals can be used for new or review patients. They are performed via Telehealth or telephone. We prefer Telehealth as there is face-to-face communication, which will be increasingly more important with "social distancing". Appointments can be easily scheduled.
For Patients with Pacemakers, Loop Records and Defibrillators
For patients with pacemakers, loop recorders and defibrillators, it's a bit more complicated.
We are following recommendations from the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand.
If you think you may have Coronavirus, please contact by phone your GP or COVID-19 clinic to discuss assessment and management. Please do not attend our clinics.
We thank you for your understanding in this very unusual situation.
We are following recommendations from the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand.
If you think you may have Coronavirus, please contact by phone your GP or COVID-19 clinic to discuss assessment and management. Please do not attend our clinics.
We thank you for your understanding in this very unusual situation.
How to Be Ready to Do Telehealth
Essentially, Telehealth uses telecommunications apps to enable video chat. The standard apps are Skype, What's App and FaceTime.
Skype needs software (go to the Skype download page on chrome) and an account. We will provide instruction on finding our Skype address. Skype is very robust. It would be great if you knew how to use it before trying a consultation however.
FaceTime is a Mac based program that allows communications between iPhones and macs. It only works if you have an iPhone or an iCloud email. We are happy to use this, and has found most patients prefer to use this system.
Of course, there's the standard telephone.
Skype needs software (go to the Skype download page on chrome) and an account. We will provide instruction on finding our Skype address. Skype is very robust. It would be great if you knew how to use it before trying a consultation however.
FaceTime is a Mac based program that allows communications between iPhones and macs. It only works if you have an iPhone or an iCloud email. We are happy to use this, and has found most patients prefer to use this system.
Of course, there's the standard telephone.
