Coronavirus (COVID-19) - JUNE 2020 UPDATE

DECEMBER 5, 2021: COVID-19 UPDATE

As the great Yogi Berra once said, "It ain't over til its over."  Recent COVID-19 spikes and concerns about a highly transmissible omicron variant have once again reminded us that we need to remain vigilant in keeping ourselves safe and healthy.

What Can You Do?

1. If you are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19, please obtain one as soon as possible.  If you have a child under 5 years of age, I anticipate approval for the vaccine for this age group shortly after the 1st of the year.
2. If you are over 18 years old, get your COVID-19 booster.  The boosters have been shown to be quite effective and give you best chance of minimizing infection or hospitalization should you get COVID-19.
3. Avoid large indoor settings.  The virus has a highly likelihood of transmission in the smaller quarters with poorer ventilation.  If attending gatherings, please try to insure that all who are present are vaccinated.
4. In public settings, wear your mask. It works and cuts transmission rates.
5. Don't forget about the flu and other respiratory viruses.  They are prevalent now and can easily mimic COVID-19 symptoms.  If you have not received your flu vaccine, please do so.

What Are We Doing?

1. Chicago Pulmonary Specialists continues to enforce the strictest infection control measures in order to keep you safe during your visit.
2. Traffic control measures, use of room purifiers, strict mask policy, and aggressive COVID-19 monitoring for patients undergoing higher infectious transmission procedures remain in effect.  We welcome any additional measures that you may have.

JUNE 26, 2021: NEW LOCATION & COVID-19 UPDATE

It has been quite the ride this past year.  With the efforts made by our community, we are thrilled to see the incidence of COVID-19 and the hospitalization rate decline drastically.  The ability of all of you to stick with the infection control practices and to get your COVID-19 vaccines have truly made a difference.

The patients in our practice did a great job in following our recommendations to keep safe and those able to obtain a vaccine did so with an amazing greater than 95% vaccination rate.  However, there remains more work to be done especially having our younger patients obtain their vaccination when approval comes this fall.

Our practice remains committed to being the safest place possible for the patients we serve.  As part of our ongoing commitment to provide the best possible infection control practices, many of you have seen the special precautions observed in our new office including negative flow rooms for pulmonary function tests, use of medical grade UV lights and HEPA filters throughout, infection control exam rooms, and staggered scheduling practices to minimize possible infection exposure.  We have updated our office policy to reflect the best scientific evidence available for medical practices and facilities.

1.  All visitors whether vaccinated or unvaccinated will be required to wear a mask for the entire visit.  This will help protect our most vulnerable patients.

2.  All patients will be asked whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated during a pre-screen Klara message.  This will allow our staff to further optimize our infection control practices.

3.  For all aerosolized procedures being performed in the office such as exercise testing and laryngoscopy, all patients whether vaccinated or unvaccinated will require a negative PCR test prior to procedure.

4.  We will continue to limit the volume of patient flow in our office by using the Klara check-in system to inform you when you are able to come to the office.

NEW OFFICE - After 19 years in Glenview, our practice has officially moved its headquarters to Northfield about 3-5 minutes from the former site.  The new facility is a modern, technology savvy office that was designed for the safety of our patients as well as for allowing expanded services.  We are pleased with how the office turned out and have received  good feedback from those of you who have seen it already.

Congratulations to all of you who have endured a very difficult time and while the battle is not yet over, the gains that have been made are a tribute to your efforts to protect yourself and your community.  Enjoy the summer and STAY SAFE and HEALTHY.

Steve Boas

AUGUST 5, 2020: SUCCESSFUL REOPENING!

The energy and effort spent in order to create a safe environment for our patients and staff has resulted in a successful reopening of Chicago Pulmonary Specialists.  We have implemented many new protocols in our practice that at first were challenging but now have become routine.  Improved air exchanges within each room, use of HEPA filters, minimizing patient movement within the office, redirecting patient flow, and enhanced cleaning services are some of the measures put in place.

We are strictly following enhanced travel quarantine based on the successful model from the New York Tri State region where these states are achieving the lowest COVID-19 rates in the country without significant outbreaks.  The list is fluid and changes from day to day.  Please check out rochester.nydatabases.com/data for the latest numbers.

We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as these new guidelines are implemented.  And mostly, we appreciate your trust and confidence in our practice's ability to provide the highest level of medical care in the safest environment possible.  Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Be Safe! Stay Healthy!

MAY 26, 2020: REOPENING JUNE 1!

The last few months have been very stressful to all of us as we continue to deal with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Instituting telemedicine early on has allowed us to provide some level of medical care to all of our patients with underlying respiratory conditions.  We have all taken advantage of the Klara messaging and video service that has been vital in our communication with one another.  But telemedicine cannot substitute for the hands on personalized approach to medical care that has been the hallmark of our practice.

As we continue to prepare to reopen for in person medical visits on June 1, 2020, we have been implementing new office practices designed to keep both you and our staff safe as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.  We have been focused on not just the CDC medical recommendations but scientific peer reviewed journals from my colleagues around the globe to help us implement the safety plan that is optimal for my practice.  Chicago Pulmonary Specialists has long been practicing advanced infection control methods prior to the pandemic.  We are also fortunate in that the practice is limited to one physician without the patient traffic of large hospital clinics.  This degree of control of our environment allows us the ability to safeguard your health as well as that of our staff.

Feel free to contact us for details of our infection control strategy.  For those of you already scheduled, details about the office logistics will be sent via Klara prior to your visit.

MARCH 23, 2020:  MESSAGE FROM DR. BOAS

As your longtime healthcare provider, I wanted to reach out to you during these very stressful times and let you know that I have been thinking about you and want to make sure that I am available for you and keep you as healthy as possible.

The situation with the coronavirus appears to changing on a daily basis and information on what to do and not to do also changes frequently.  The CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov/) has the most up to date information.

You may already have my number for texting which you can use although it will be easier for me to communicate through this Klara application.  Regardless, I am available to you for any medical or other needs.

As you may already know, I have temporarily converted my medical practice into a telemedicine practice.  To minimize the spread of this virus, I will not be regularly seeing patients at my Glenview office.  Through use of Klara, I will be able to have office visits with you in a remote setup with both audio and video.  This will be done with this Klara application.  While not ideal, this will allow us to make sure early symptoms are addressed and to keep medications up to date.

If needed, I can see you in my office on a case by case basis in a safe medical zone given that no patients are being regularly seen at my Glenview location.  While visits for CF and Pulmonary care have always been essential, these emergency visits will be reserved for those where examination,  PFTs, blood work or cultures are critical.  While the system is not ideal, it is the best option to minimize exposing you to any infectious concerns.  I feel fortunate that I have this option and am not practicing in a hospital setting!

For now, DO YOUR THERAPIES AND MEDICATIONS.  Contact us for any new symptoms.  Make sure you are scheduled for your telemedicine visit.   Go outside for fresh air while complying with social distancing and shutdown mandates.

We will get through this crisis the same way we always have by partnering and working together.  This situation may have changed but my commitment to you has not.

Let me know how you are doing and feel free to just text or Klara to say hello.

In good health.

Dr. B

MARCH 20, 2020

As the situation with the Coronavirus pandemic has reached more critical levels, our practice has converted to a telemedicine approach.  We will be able to see you or your child through a video link up in order to keep you healthy during this crisis.  This is also a good chance to review medications and to make sure refills are available.  The visits will be performed through the HIPAA compliant Klara messaging service.

Please, do not show up to the office for a visit unless you have spoken directly with a staff member confirming the in-person visit.  Under limited circumstances, a direct visit to the Glenview office may be scheduled.

As the number of phone calls and communications have drastically increased to our office, we request that only essential communications be made. Please be advised that all communications made will be addressed as quickly as possible but may not be addressed the same day.  Please use our Klara messaging service for communications with the office.   If you have not yet signed up for Klara, please see the Klara popup on this website to register.

Also note that the after hours service number is only available for emergencies.  Calls for refills or questions about Coronavirus should be initiated through the Klara messaging service.

For any situation requiring our clinical staff, a telemedicine fee will be charged to your insurance company. We have been advised by all insurance companies that all copays for this type of visit will be waived.

Our goal is to keep all of our patients as healthy as possible during these stressful times.  My commitment to all of you is unwavering and we will all work together to help get through this crisis.

Good hand washing, social distancing, stay at home!

Dr. Boas