Philadelphia Medicine Summer 2021 - 13

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As practices operate during the
COVID era, needed are reliable pandemic
testing, protective equipment use, keeping
patients safe
By Michael C. Upton, Contributing Writer
A
s cliché and overused as the term may be, medical practices are
learning what the " new normal " looks like post-COVID-19.
So are patients.
Some of the changes to appointment scheduling, welcome
procedures, and customer relations brought on by social distancing
and other safety precautions implemented during the pandemic
may be here to stay.
Two Philadelphia doctors weigh in on what the new normal
looks like for their practices now and going forward.
Remained open
Dr. Max Mercado's northeast Philadelphia
practice remained open throughout
the pandemic. Approximately 70% of
the patients at Mercado Medical Practice
are elderly.
" Because of the population we serve, at
no point did we think about closing, " said
Mercado, who gives credit to his staff for
adjusting to changing needs.
" Medical care is always evolving and moving, " he said.
National pandemic preparedness
caused the ambulatory surgery center to
shut down from March through April
as it entered a standby mode to serve
as a COVID-19 intensive care unit, if
necessary.
" Fortunately, that did not happen, but
we had to be shut down and could only
perform emergency cases, " said Lefton.
The biggest change to the new normal at both practices is the
need, or lack thereof, for COVID-19 testing. At Gastrointestinal
Specialists, with offices in Philadelphia, Bala Cynwyd and Langhorne,
COVID-19 testing is no longer needed if a patient submits proof
of vaccination. The same directive is employed at Mercado Medical
Practice.
" Many of our patients have been vaccinated because we see them
on a monthly basis, " Mercado said. " We've been giving vaccinations
in our office for the last three months. "
Dr. Harvey Lefton is the chief of
gastroenterology at Jefferson Health
Northeast.
continued on next page
Summer 2021 : Philadelphia Medicine 13

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Philadelphia Medicine Summer 2021

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