At Georgia Renal, we are committed to your health and safety during these difficult and stressful times.  Our goal is for you to stay home as much as possible. There are times when you may have to get out, for things like lab work and possibly office visits. We are working to make our office as safe and clean as possible. We want to do everything we can to get your health needs taken care of outside of the hospital to help prevent overwhelming the hospital system and reduce your risk of exposure.

  • Somethings we are doing

  • Somethings you can do

  • Frequently asked questions

Here is some of what we are doing for your safety and comfort:

  • We are following CDC and CMS guidelines closely.

  • In addition to normal sanitary procedures we are taking the following additional precautions.

    • We sanitize surfaces after each patient.

    • We are scheduling patients with enough space in between appointments to make sure our waiting room is as empty as possible.

    • We follow social distancing at our office – we have signs posted to help remind everyone to keep a healthy (at least 6 feet) distance.

    • We are also making sure that no one with existing or recent symptoms, such as cough, fever, shortness of breath comes in to our office – those appointments are being rescheduled or done as TeleVisits. We call before every appointment to make sure this is done.

  • We are also doing lab draws here in the office (at specific times and by appointment only to, again, reduce the amount of people in the office at any one time).

  • We offer TeleVisits (Virtual video visits using your computer, tablet or smartphone) to our existing office patients on an as needed basis.

  • We are offering TeleVisits to our ESRD patients for their in-center visits on an as needed basis.

Here are somethings you can do:

  • Don’t ignore your kidneys during this time of COVID19 concern.

  • Kidney disease does put you at a higher risk for complications from COVID.

  • Stay at home as much as possible.

  • Stay 6 feet away from anyone out in public.

  • Frequent hand washing, 20 seconds, soap and water.

  • If you are not swollen or short of breath make sure you are drinking plenty of water.

  • Avoid any medications that can be harmful to your kidneys, including NSAIDs.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • How is Corona virus transmitted?

Mainly via respiratory droplets like influenza. With droplet transmission, virus released when a person with infection coughs, sneezes, or talks can infect another person if it makes direct contact with the mucous membranes. Infection can also occur if a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets typically do not travel more than six feet (about two meters) and do not linger in the air.

  • What is the clinical presentation of COVID-19?

Symptoms are mild in approximately 80 percent of cases and often include fever, fatigue, and dry cough. Smell and taste disorders have also been reported in patients. Headache, runny nose, and sore throat are less common.

  • Is there a way to distinguish COVID-19 clinically from other respiratory illnesses, particularly influenza?

No

  • What are the risk factors for severe COVID-19?

Elderly people

Cardiovascular disease

Diabetes mellitus

Hypertension

Chronic lung disease

Cancer

Chronic kidney disease

Transplant patients on immunosuppression

  • When should patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 be advised to stay at home and how to manage at home?

Patients with mild symptoms (eg, fever, cough, and/or body aches but no shortness of breath) can be managed at home.

Acetaminophen/Tylenol as needed and hydration (avoid Ibuprofen until more info available)

Separation from other household members, including pets (eg, staying in a separate room when possible and wearing a mask when in the same room)

Frequent hand washing for all family members

Frequent disinfection of commonly touched surfaces

  • When should patients go to hospital?

If patients develop shortness of breath in addition to other symptoms

  • How to get Covid 19 tests done for patients with symptoms?

Call 1-866 460 1119 or 706 340 0996

  • How long should patients cared for at home stay isolated?

At least seven days have passed since symptoms first appeared AND

At least three days (72 hours) have passed since recovery of symptoms including fever and respiratory symptoms

  • Do ACE inhibitors and ARBs increase the likelihood of severe COVID-19?

This is unclear. For the time being continue the medications.