Covid: What You Need to Know Before Your Surgical Appointment

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This interview was updated on September 9th, 2022 to include the latest information regarding COVID testing.

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Covid safety remains a priority in the hospital, as does our transparency while we mitigate the arrival of new strains. Just as we have been throughout this entire pandemic, we are ready to take care of you. Please don’t hesitate to get the care you need when you need it.

Have a question? Give your doctor’s office a call. Or send us a direct message on Facebook or Twitter with any general questions.

We interviewed Francine Castillo, Director of Practice Operations, to discuss everything you need to know about appointments, surgery, Covid-19 testing, and vaccination.

Appointments and Scheduling

For those who need in-patient surgery but it isn’t as urgent, say a cyst, when can they expect to be scheduled?

As of right now, we’re scheduling procedures but have a slightly reduced OR capacity. Please call your doctor’s office directly for additional information related to your procedure or upcoming surgery date. We hope for no disruptions to care, but ask that you be patient with us.

Generally, you should expect to leave your appointment with a surgery date, only in some cases has the process changed. We don’t want to promise you something and then have to cancel or delay your procedure. So for cases like a cyst when we can’t schedule you in the office that day–though most likely you will be scheduled—we’ll tell you “We have you on standby, be ready.” For the more serious procedures like cancer, they will absolutely leave with a date no matter what.

Is there anything else we should know about this evolving process?

We’re mostly in a normal groove! There are moving parts with pre-op testing and scheduling, and we promise you will be cared for and scheduled in a timely manner. Most importantly, I say this in bold—if you are a surgery patient or a surgical candidate and you haven’t gotten your booster shot, stay home in the days leading up to your procedure.

We had a patient who was pushed on the calendar a few times but kept testing negative which is important. Then had a gathering and when they went in for pre-op testing got a positive test. We had to cancel the procedure. Naturally, they were really upset, and they weren’t out at restaurants, someone exposed them at home.

If you are a surgical candidate, it’s best you don’t travel three weeks before your surgery date. And if you’re vaccinated and boosted, please stay mindful when out and about. Follow guidelines, wear your mask, and wash your hands.

Are there any changes to non-surgical appointments?

We’re basically on a normal schedule and able to accommodate all appointments: non-surgical procedures, physical exams, testing. But we are keeping volume more limited hour to hour to ensure your safety with social distancing measures, staggered appointments, and screenings. So, expect that you may have to wait a few extra days to get your elective outpatient procedure, for example, but we will get you on the schedule.

Have office hours changed, are they the same Monday-Friday?

Our office hours are Monday through Friday. We do have some expanded appointment time during the week, and we are often operating 7 days a week. We are doing everything we can to get you seen, treated, and cared for as soon as possible.

Are there any cases or situations that you would recommend a patient hold off on coming in to receive care?

No! Our surgeons can attest to this, and I think Dr. Chabot has mentioned it, but we’re seeing more severe cases than we should at times because people have put off care. You know, we are here to take care of you safely. Even if you have an issue that you’re pretty sure isn’t urgent—say you’re having a vein issue that may be viewed as cosmetic generally but you have some discomfort, don’t put it off. Call your doctor and get checked out, whether by video or in person. If you’re most comfortable doing that first appointment at home, great, all of our doctors are doing virtual care. And know that the actual procedure may take a little extra time, but don’t delay getting that process started.

I’ll link to our article on video visits here. But if you need to come in for an appointment, any changes to the screening process when you arrive?

Well, first be wearing a mask. You must have a mask on to enter the building whether you are vaccinated or not. Then you’ll enter one of the designated entrances, likely the Herbert Irving Pavilion or Milstein entrance. Security is there, but you don't have to show your ID anymore, and there are screening stations set up.

Patients can now bring someone with them to an appointment, is that right?

Yes, but there are a few caveats. For non-surgical appointments you can bring one support person. The same goes for same-day surgery, you are welcome to bring one guest to stay with you through intake and then rejoin you for the discharge process. We still cannot have any visitors in the PACU [Post Anesthesia Care Unit] while you’re waking up, but your visitor can rejoin afterward. Please note that your support person must be fully vaccinated or must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to their visit.

We are now able to allow two visitors per patient in our in-patient units between the hours of 9 am and 9 pm, and two caregivers or support persons for pediatric patients in in-patient units as well. Each infant is allowed up to four approved adult visitors. We ask that there are no revolving visitor changes during those daily periods and the same person stays.

Visitors will need to pass the screening process and show official proof of vaccination such as an Excelsior Pass, vaccination card, or equivalent proof upon request. [Read more about the visitor policy here]

What are elevators and waiting rooms like? 

Our goal is still to avoid the waiting rooms as much as we can and get you right back to the exam room. But it’s the same drill—be mindful of elevator crowding and spacing as much as possible. 

Waiting rooms have designated seating and signage, and the areas are cleaned frequently. If spacing is limited in the waiting room, a companion may be asked to wait outside until the patient is brought to exam room. This happens rarely but something to be mindful of. We're still doing check-in online and any payments online as much as possible. Make sure you have created a myConnect account with our online medical records system, I promise it makes all of this easier for you. And once you’re here, it’s actually very calm.

Is there anything else we need to know?

The only thing I ask is that you just be flexible with us. Maybe you’re an early bird and normally you like to have all your appointments at 9 am, but right now it may be best for you to come in the afternoon while we are still social distancing. Things like that.

Covid-19 Testing

Let’s review Covid testing policy for appointments—what’s the current policy?

This is the most important thing to get right—If you are coming in for an in-office procedure, out-patient procedure, or in-patient procedure you must have a Covid-19 PCR or Antigen test done within 5 days of your appointment.

This includes vaccinated patients. Please know that Antigen testing within 5 days of the procedure is acceptable only if an official report shows it was administered by a pharmacist, clinician, etc. Patients testing themselves with home kits are not acceptable.

Everyone needs a Covid test for outpatient surgery, endoscopy/colonoscopy procedures, or office procedures. If you are vaccinated and coming in for a non-procedure office appointment like screening, follow-up, or imaging, you do not need a PCR or Antigen test. But if you have been exposed to Covid-19, have symptoms, or traveled internationally within 10 days of your procedure, you must get a PCR or Antigen test. Unvaccinated patients need a PCR or Antigen test for any type of appointment. We know the changes to testing requirements can be a bit confusing so if you have any questions at all please call your doctor’s office!

Our offices are doing everything we can to make this as easy as possible and will schedule your PCR test at one of our testing locations when we schedule your procedure. We really recommend getting your PCR test at one of our Columbia locations because we can guarantee the results in 24 hours.

All you need is an order from your doctor. So if you didn’t get your Covid test appointment when in the office, just call us and we’ll set you up with an appointment at the location most convenient to you, but know that you cannot just walk in.

Where are these locations?

Pre-op patients can schedule a PCR test in our APEX clinic at Milstein on main campus no more than 5 days before the procedure, or you can schedule a test at any of our other locations: Bronxville, Rockland, Westchester, or Tarrytown.

Now for our pediatric patients, patients go to a testing location in Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital on 4 North.

We will put all the details for testing locations at the end of this article, but to clarify, if you go to an urgent care near your apartment and get a PCR or Antigen test, that will be accepted?

Yes, we will accept PCR and Antigen test results from any medical clinic or pharmacy that provides official documentation of the results. But please be mindful and get your testing done with enough time within the 5 days to receive results. A lot of these other locations often can’t guarantee results with a quick turnaround, especially for PCR testing. Let the doctor’s office know your procedure date so you get the results on time, or better yet just come to one of our testing locations.

Hospital Experience

Okay, what if I’ve just finished chemo and radiation and it’s time for my cancer surgery—I’m on the schedule. How different will this experience be?

Right now, you know, the only difference is the limit on visitors. You can bring one guest to stay with you through the intake process and they will be screened upon entry. Once you’re here it should be much of the same experience. You’ll get your Covid test a few days before, then day-of you’ll start by seeing your nurse practitioner or doctor for an exam, go down to the lab, and get regular tests. All the same pre-op stuff, then go in for your procedure.

Technically, you can still get your Covid test day-of with your pre-op labs but we don’t recommend it. We have had patients come back with positive tests and then need to reschedule their procedure after coming all the way here at 5am and doing all the pre-op work. It’s not worth the risk.

Is there a process in place to notify family or designated caregiver with updates throughout and after the procedure?

Absolutely, they can expect a phone call. Most of our surgeons are calling right from their cell phones. And then later on, when in inpatient recovery, you will be allowed to have two guests, one at a time, for up to four hours each between 9 am and 9 pm. For any other times, Ipads are available so your loved ones can speak to your surgeon with you and be in the room, so to speak.

Covid-19 Vaccination

Talk to us about vaccine access—where are vaccines and boosters available?

As you know, we have been vaccinating New Yorkers here on campus and at our other offices throughout the city and region.

I mentioned the importance of making sure you have a Columbia Connect account. It’s where all your medical information lives, where you can do video appointments, see prescriptions, message your doctor, make appointments, and most importantly for this conversation, how you can schedule your Covid vaccine.

Schedule your Covid-19 vaccine or booster and create a Columbia Connect account here. Visit the New York state Covid-19 Vaccine Finder page for the most up-to-date information on appointments at vaccination sites nearest you.

Is it possible to get vaccinated while in the office for an appointment?

Great question. The vaccine is available in some offices. Yet specified locations on campus are administering the Covid-19 vaccine, and there are usually many appointment slots.

Any closing thoughts?

We want you to know that we’re doing everything we can to open up more alternatives with expanded hours and now our surgeons are seeing patients all over the tri-state area. We have offices upstate, in New Jersey, and other boroughs of the city. We’re doing Covid testing and vaccination on campus and at those locations. So don’t hesitate to give us a call. Let’s talk about what you need! 

Covid-19 PCR Testing Locations

By appointment only, with written order from your physician.

APEX Clinic, Milstein Hospital *Adult Pre-op only

173 Fort Washington Ave, Heart Center, Room LL1
New York, NY

Milstein Tents *No Pre-op testing

Tent 1: Symptomatic only
Tent 2: Asymptomatic only
3975 Broadway (167th and Broadway, in front of Adult Emergency Entrance)
Hours:
Mon-Sun, 7am-7pm

Bronxville, NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester

77 Pondfield Road, Suite 1 F2B (located on the first floor)
Bronxville, NY
(914) 961-8500
Hours:
Mon-Fri, 9:30am-6pm
Sat 8am-12pm

Orange/Rockland County

26 Indian Rock Plaza
Suffern, NY
(845) 368-0100

Westchester/Putnam County

15 North Broadway
White Plains, NY
and
19 Bradhurst Ave, Suite 700
Hawthorne, NY
(844) 311-1234

Tarrytown

155 White Plains Road
Tarrytown, NY
(646) 317-3256

Pediatrics PCR Testing

Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, 4 North Periop Area
3959 Broadway (at W 165th street)
New York, NY
(646) 317-4311
Hours:
Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm

Covid-19 Vaccinations

By Appointment Only

ColumbiaDoctors CUIMC Office
516 West 168th Street
New York, NY 10032

Harkness Pavilion
180 Fort Washington Avenue
2nd floor
New York, NY 10032

ColumbiaDoctors Midtown
51 W 51st Street
New York, NY 10019

ColumbiaDoctors Morningside
601 West 113th Street
New York, NY 10025

Columbia Primary Care Manhattan Valley
2702 Broadway
New York, NY 10025

The Belfer Research Building
413 E 69th Street.
ADA accessible at entrance.
Vaccine Center Fact Sheet (Includes directions, parking)

ColumbiaDoctors White Plains, NY Office
15 North Broadway
White Plains, NY 10601

ColumbiaDoctors Suffern, NY Office
26 Indian Rock
Suffern, NY 10901

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Appointment availability changes daily but there are usually openings every day. Eligibility of patients for vaccination is determined by state guidelines. Check here for updates and information.

NYC Covid Vaccine Finder Here

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