NANI Response to COVID-19
We at Nephrology Associates of Northern Illinois and Indiana want to ensure our patients, their family and support staff, staff and physicians remain healthy and safe in this time of uncertainty and risk. All patients should take precautions to reduce the spread of COVID 19.
- Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face
- Keep space between yourself and others and stay away from those who may be sick
- Avoid unnecessary time in public places and do not travel
- Stay at home as much as possible if there are cases reported in your community
While most cases result in a mild illness, certain populations are at higher risk for complications including elderly patients and those with chronic health conditions such as lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure conditions, and diabetes. This includes many of our patients.
At this time, unnecessary trips to the hospital may pose a risk to you and the community. Among those most threatened by the virus are people with chronic health conditions, such as kidney disease. To avoid undue exposure at the emergency room, be sure to keep your doctor appointments and follow their instructions to keep your overall health stable.
Information about COVID-19, Vaccine and Kidney Disease – click here
About Telehealth and E-Visits
Most appointments with NANI’s nephrologists are now available to our patients as video or telephone call visits. Medicare and insurance carriers will cover these remote doctor’s visits. If you have an appointment scheduled or need to see your NANI nephrologist, please call the office to schedule a telehealth visit. The process is very easy and the office staff will gladly walk you through it to ensure you are ready for your visit. Patients will need a phone and or computer to keep the appointment secure and confidential. Patients have been very pleased with telehealth visits because the doctor can continue to provide great face-to face care via video, even while the patient is at home. However, if you don’t have a camera, you can still have a phone conversation with the doctor.
To prepare for your e-visit, follow phone and computer instructions from your kidney doctor’s office. You will need to download the app linked on this page. Before the appointment, continue to record your weight and blood pressure, make a note if you have swelling, take your medicines as prescribed and follow dietary recommendations. Then, if you have a computer or smart phone, wait for the code to be sent to you and log in to the website or app. When it’s time for your appointment, be sure to have your medication list with you and your log of blood pressure and weight. Make sure you have a pen to write down instructions from the doctor.
Don’t put off your NANI nephrologist appointment.
As always, please call the office if you have questions, concerns, experience unusual symptoms and need to talk with your doctor. Those with reduced kidney function, along with high risk chronic conditions cannot afford to miss the Nephrologist appointment, as this can result in a life threatening need to visit the emergency room.
