Dear BMI Patient,
As members of your healthcare team, the providers and staff at BMI of Texas are very concerned about the crisis our community is facing regarding the COVID-19 virus. The overall health and well-being of our patients and staff are at the forefront of our minds right now. We are following recommendations from local and state health agencies, as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). As difficult and challenging as this is, we all need to work together to decrease the spread of this dangerous virus.
In alignment with the recommendations from the CDC, we all need to do what we can to limit our exposure. While our local hospital systems have not yet decided to postpone elective procedures, there is a strong possibility that this may occur. For now, our providers and staff will be contacting every patient scheduled for an upcoming surgery in advance to discuss their options.
At this time, BMI of Texas will be limiting all in-office visits, except those which are absolutely necessary to evaluate acute medical problems. This is in no way to inconvenience you but to protect you and the members of our staff.
Effective immediately, we will be making the following changes:
1) ALL routine appointments (initial visits, pre and post-operative (beyond 2 weeks) appointments, dietitian visits, behavioral health visits and medical weight loss visits) will be done by phone using a telemedicine format. This may or may not include video depending on the provider/patient preference. If you have a pending appointment for this week, you will be contacted soon.
2) For patients experiencing an acute medical problem, often requiring physical exam and additional testing, we will continue to see these patients in clinic. It is very important that patients communicate their needs with our office. If you have a fever over 100 degrees, cough, or shortness of breath. Please do not come to the office. Call us immediately and we will direct you to the appropriate facility.
3) All group visits: seminars, support groups and diet classes will be conducted using a webinar-type format. We understand that not everyone is able to do this and we will work with all patients to reschedule as needed. Additional information/details will be provided to patients currently scheduled for these group events.
We understand that while this is far from ideal, we ask everyone be patient with us as we strive to continue to provide ongoing care to all of our patients during a time of crisis that our community has never seen before.
We pray each of you appreciates the seriousness of this crisis no matter what your situation may be. We all have a role to play to decrease the spread of this virus.
As always, we have a provider on call 24 hours a day. Please call with any questions: 210-615-8500 and be assured you will continue to receive updates as the situation evolves.
Stay well and God Bless-
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