Are you still offering video visits?
Yes – for many appointments, a video visit is the best choice. Your doctor or nurse practitioner can talk with you while you are safe at home, and in many cases an in-person visit is not needed. Call your doctor’s office to schedule an appointment, and you will be able to talk with a patient coordinator about whether a video visit is right for you.
Is it safe to schedule an in-person visit?
At Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery, we are taking every precaution to protect you at an in-person visit, starting from the time you enter the lobby to the completion of your visit. If an in-person appointment is right for you, please don’t hesitate to make one.
What can I do to make my visit safer?
There are several things you’ll need to do to help us keep you safer:
• Fill out all your paperwork, including co-pay, in advance of your visit; use electronic check-in to minimize time in the office.
• Wear a mask or face covering at all times while inside the building.
• Arrive on time. Please don’t arrive early, since we are spacing out appointments to prevent waiting room time.
• Ask any companions to be ready to accept our call once your appointment begins, so they can participate from a safe distance.
• Please speak with your patient coordinator in advance if there are special circumstances that require a companion to enter the building.
• Follow all instructions and signs about social distancing.
What are you doing differently to make an office visit safer?
We have taken a number of steps in response to the pandemic, starting with following CDC guidelines for medical visits. Your safety is our first concern, so we have redesigned our clinic and rearranged our appointment schedule to reduce risk. You will notice the following when you come in to the office:
• All forms and paperwork are collected in advance, before the appointment.
• Co-pays are made in advance at the time of electronic check-in.
• All patients must wear masks, and they will have their temperature taken upon entering the building.
• There are spacing decals on the floor to remind everyone to keep six feet apart.
• Companions are welcome to attend your appointment by phone or video; they may accompany you in person only when medically necessary. Companions must be pre-approved before your appointment, so please talk to your doctor's office to make those arrangements. In most cases your companion will wait for you outside the building and join the appointment by phone or video.
• We are limiting the number of people on each elevator car.
• All elevators and offices are sanitized throughout the day.
• Front desk staff will wear masks.
• Patients will be escorted to an exam room upon arrival; there is no waiting room time and check-in is brief since all paperwork was done in advance.
• Each exam room is cleaned after each patient.
• Your provider will be masked, and will change gloves after each patient.
• We will call you after your visit to schedule any follow-ups.
What happens when the patient is a child?
One parent or caretaker may accompany a child for office visits. If more than one adult accompanies the child that day, only one may enter the building. We are happy to call the second adult during the visit if you wish.
What if I don’t have a mask?
We will provide a mask to any patient who arrives for a visit without one. You must wear a mask at all times when in the building.
What if the patient needs assistance getting to the office?
When medically necessary (for example, if the patient has mobility issues or has impaired cognition) one companion may accompany the patient. Please notify the patient coordinator in advance of your visit if a companion is medically necessary. In most cases only the patient may enter the office; companions wait outside the building and join the appointment by phone or video.
What happens if I am early or late for my appointment?
It is important for you to arrive on time for your appointment. Please don't come to the office before your appointment time, as your exam room won't be available yet. If you find yourself running late please call the office to reschedule.
