A Note to Our Patients About COVID-19

Dear Innova Dermatology Patients,

As the effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to evolve, Innova Dermatology is committed to supporting our Sumner County community during this challenging time. There is no higher priority for us than the health and safety of our entire Innova Family — our patients, staff, and physicians.

Rest assure that Innova Dermatology has been closely monitoring the development of COVID-19 and strictly adhering to current CDC and government guidelines. As the only “Physician-only” Dermatology practice in Hendersonville, we remain open so that our patients can continue to receive essential treatments with the highest measures of safety possible. As always, we are ready to provide an exceptional patient care experience.

How is Innova Dermatology preparing for COVID-19
What to expect at your appointment
Virtual Visits – Dermatology visit from your Home
Key Information about COVID-19

How is Innova Dermatology preparing for COVID-19

We want to reassure our patients that we are taking all necessary precautions to identify possible patients with COVID-19 virus and to prevent any potential spread of illness. While we always maintain the highest standards for our office, we have taken extra precautions to ensure the health and well-being of our entire Innova Family (our patients, staff and physicians) by implementing the following measures:

  • Closed our office from March 16-22 for a deep cleaning and sanitization of the entire facility.
  • Reduced patient volume, spread out appointment times, and limit visits to urgent and non-elective services.
  • Request patients come alone to their appointment or bring only one parent/guardian/support person.
  • Minimize waiting room crowd by requesting all patients wait in their vehicles until called into the office.
  • Sanitizing each room prior to every patient, increased frequency of disinfecting high-touch common areas.
  • Offering TELEDERMATOLOGY Virtual Visits in the comforts of your own home for those with high-speed, stable internet connection.

What to expect at your appointment

  1. Patient Screening: We actively screen every patient at the time of scheduling, at appointment reminder and at check-in to identify and limit potential exposure to COVID-19 in our clinic. To prevent the spread of illness and align with CDC recommendations, we urge you to stay home when you are feeling sick.If you have traveled internationally, traveled on any cruise ship, have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, or you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed below (fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other flu-like symptoms), we MUST reschedule your appointment for a future date and contact your primary care physician (PCP).

    For our patients age 60 and over, or patients with compromised immunity, we encourage you to consider how best to utilize our services and whether your health situation requires you to postpone dermatologic care. Please contact the office 615-266-3376 (DERM) if you have any questions.

  2. Limit Visitors: Please attend your appointment alone. If required, bring only one parent/guardian/support person. If you are having surgery near your eyes or nose, or require sedation, please arrange for someone to transport you after the visit (they may wait in their cars).
  3. Check-In: All patients must sanitize their hands upon entry into our office. If you are a new patient, we ask that you fill out your information at home prior to your visit. You should have received an email with a link to Sadio.com to fill in your patient information. You can also email us images of your ID and insurance card at admin@innovadermatology.com to speed up the check-in process.
  4. Waiting room and Social Distancing: We have reduced patient volume and spread out appointment times to allow for social distancing between patients. If there are more than one patient in the waiting room, you have the option to wait in your car and receive a text message when an exam room is ready for you.
  5. Staff Safety Measures: As always, proper hand hygiene is practiced by every member of our health care team. Additionally, all of our clinical staff will be using masks and protective eye gear during your visit. We will refrain from shaking hands with our patients. You should feel safer knowing that staff members who are sick or who have traveled to at risk areas are no longer in our clinics. We have stopped all work-related travel for employees. We are also suspending visits from any outside vendors who may visit our clinics.

Virtual Visits – Dermatology video visit from your Home

The diagnosis and treatment of many dermatologic conditions from acne and rashes to eczema, psoriasis and more may be accomplished through telemedicine visits—virtual online visits from the comforts of your home. It’s an easy alternative for patients with higher risk factors for coronavirus to access necessary care without coming into our offices. Our physicians will be able to evaluate you if you require medication and/or if you need medication adjustments. To Learn more about Telemedicine please visit click here.

Key Information about COVID-19

What is COVID-19?
How does COVID-19 spread?
COVID-19 Symptoms
Practice Everyday Prevention
Where can I learn more?

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a novel Coronavirus that spreads easily from person to person and causes symptoms of a respiratory or flu-like illness. Health experts are closely monitoring the situation because little is known about this new virus and it has the potential to cause severe illness, pneumonia, and death. The most vulnerable groups are the elderly and those with certain pre-existing conditions.

How does COVID-19 spread?

You can get the virus from inhaling respiratory droplets sprayed into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This happens more easily if you are within six feet of an infected person. It is also possible a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Most people who are infected with Coronavirus will have only mild symptoms. However, some patients will develop severe symptoms including pneumonia and hospitalization. It appears that adults over age 60 and those with a weakened immune system or underlying chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and lung disease are most vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. Unlike influenza, which can cause severe disease in children, COVID-19 infection in children appears to be very mild.

There is no specific treatment or vaccine for COVID-19 at this time.

COVID-19 Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure and can include:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

The severity of COVID-19 symptoms can range from very mild to severe. People who are older or have existing medical conditions, such as heart disease, may be at higher risk of serious illness.

Practice Everyday Prevention

As you touch people, surfaces, and objects throughout the day, you accumulate germs on your hands. You can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Although there is no vaccine available to prevent infection with the new coronavirus, you can take steps to reduce your risk of infection. STOP THE SPREAD OF GERMS. CDC and WHO recommend following the standard precautions for avoiding respiratory viruses:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid shaking hands.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home from work, school, and public areas if you’re sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect all “high-touch” surfaces at your work and home. It is advised to clean counters, desks, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, keyboards and tablets using a disinfectant cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Cover your hands entirely and rub the hand sanitizer in until it completely dries. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, bedding and other household items if you’re sick.
  • Do not wear a face mask unless you are currently experiencing symptoms of a respiratory illness or other flu-like symptoms.
  • Practice social distancing. This means keeping a distance of at least six (6) feet between you and other people at all times. This means working from home when possible, avoiding public transportation, airports, group gatherings, public events, parties and other public spaces. It also means making difficult choices to stay home and temporarily cancel plans with friends and all those outside of our immediate families. This applies to ourselves as well as to our children.
  • Self-quarantine for 14 days if you have traveled in a high risk area, traveled by cruise ship or come in contact with someone with COVID-19.

Where can I learn more?

For the most up to date information regarding Coronavirus symptoms, prevention and treatment, and frequently asked questions, we recommend the following websites: