Gastroenterology

Scheduling Appointments
Pre-registration
Ways to Receive Care
Visitor Restrictions

While the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way some things look and feel at CVPH, providing you and your loved ones with the care you need is always our top priority. We are taking extra precautions by adjusting some of the ways we provide care, both in-person and remotely at the Gastroenterology. It is important to know what to expect when you are in our care. Below is a glimpse of the experience you can expect before, during and after your provider visit.

Scheduling Appointments

For anyone who had their appointment cancelled due to COVID-19, the office will call you to reschedule that appointment. However, if you have a pressing issue, do not hesitate to call (518) 314-3926.

Pre-registration

To streamline your visit and limit time spent in the waiting room, you may go through pre-registration before the appointment if you haven’t been seen in the last 4 months. That involves a phone call a few days ahead of the visit to verify some basic information about you and your insurance. This is similar to what you used to do in the waiting room before seeing your provider. The entire call will only last a few minutes.

The process is similar for same day appointments. Once the appointment is scheduled, you will be transferred to a representative for pre-registration.

Care That’s Right For You

Whether it’s in person, on the phone or via video, we are offering expanded access to ensure you get the care you need, when you need it. Gastroenterology offers these options:

• Video Visits
• Telephone Visits
• MyChart
• Scheduled In-Person Visits 

Please call our office to speak with a staff member about the different ways you can get care, or click here to learn more about each option.

In-person Visits

When you arrive for your appointment, you’ll notice more precautions in place to support your health and comfort.

What you can expect:

• Check-in: To ensure a smooth process and avoid significant waiting times, we ask that you arrive promptly for your appointment. If you arrive early, you may be asked to wait in the car until an exam room opens up. A staff member may then call you (if you have a cell phone) when a room is free or come out to get you. You will go inside the main entrance of the building and head to the office for screening. If you have a mask, be sure to put it on before going into the building.  
• Screening: Once you enter the front of the office, a representative at the desk immediately in front of the doors will ask you a few screening questions to determine if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 or have any symptoms and get your temperature checked. If you do not have a mask, we are happy to provide one for you and help put it on.
  • If you do not pass the screening: Don’t worry! We are taking every precaution to ensure you receive the care you need and minimize exposure to others. If necessary, your provider will be notified and will work directly with you to ensure your appointment is kept.
  • If you pass: A nurse will take you directly to an exam room if one is immediately available. If an exam room is not immediately available, you may be taken to the waiting room for no more than a few minutes. If the wait is longer, you may be asked to go back to your car. A staff member will be sent out to get you when a room is available. 
• Exam Room: Once in the room, the nurse will go over basic information as usual, including medications and the reason for the visit. You will be asked to wash your hands before the provider sees you. Your provider will then visit with you.
• Check Out: Once the visit is complete and your provider leaves the room, a staff member will get you checked out, schedule any follow-up visits and escort you to the exam area exit. Your AVS will be handed to you in the room prior to your leaving or be emailed to you as soon as it becomes available, you will leave the office through the back doors.
• Billing: Any co-pays or other payments owed will be handled over the phone or through the mail.

What we will be doing:

• Masking: For everyone’s protection, we’re asking you to wear your mask while in our care, and we’ll be wearing masks, too.
• Cleaning & Sanitizing: Following CDC and New York State Department of Health Guidelines, we are cleaning and disinfecting exam rooms, front desk counters, check-out counters, waiting room furniture and patient bathrooms in between each patient visit. You may also notice we are cleaning common areas and wiping down surfaces more frequently throughout the day.
• Social Distancing: We are limiting the use of the waiting room as much as possible. We have also made changes to support safe social distancing of at least 6 feet. That includes fewer chairs and new floor markings to create a “circle of health” to help with appropriate distancing.  

Visitor Restrictions

You may be accustomed to bringing a friend or loved one to your appointments. For the most up-to-date visitation policy at the hospital and our clinics, click here.

If you need a support person or driver to accompany you to the office, we ask that they wait in their vehicle or return at a specific time. We also ask that they be no more than 15 minutes away while you are with us. After your appointment, a staff member will bring you to the designated entryway to meet up with your support person outside the office.  

If a support person needs to come inside the building with you for the appointment, that individual will also be screened before entering the building and must wear a mask for the duration of the visit. Please call us at (518) 314-3926 to determine if a support person during the visit is appropriate.