COVID Vaccine Update #4

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Although we have been approved as a vaccine provider we have still been unable to get vaccine allocated to us due to the supply availability at the state level. We continue to try and order and hope to get our own allocation of vaccine at some point in the future. Vaccine supply is expected to come up significantly heading into late March.

We continue to keep lists of our patients based off of what we know and the registration list from the Grand County Public Health website. We will use this as we continue to move through the state wide Phases to get you the information you need. When your phase comes up feel free to get a vaccine wherever you can find one. You call the Middle Park Health Covid line as well as look at pharmacies and other providers around the state for open appointments. We will also provide links when we have them for scheduling.

Please see below for the updated state Phase list.

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COVID Vaccine Update #3

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We appreciate everyones patience as we continue to work through the logistics of vaccine supply. We are hopeful that we will have vaccine in our office in the next two weeks and will be able to begin calling people on our list to come in for a vaccine. We know these are trying times and we are working hard with public health to ensure that everyone who wants a vaccine can access one.

As of today the State of Colorado has not changed any guidance and the Phases can be seen in the figure below.

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COVID Vaccine Update

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We have received a lot of questions about COVID vaccination. Yesterday we did receive more information from public health although there are still some unknowns. Below you will find information on where you fit in the county’s planning for vaccine distribution. We are expecting vaccine for Phase 1A next week and 1B right behind that. Phase 2A is expected to being later winter or early spring. We do not know yet if we will receive vaccine to give at our clinic but have expressed interest for this to the state. If and when we know more on that we will update everyone. As of now we have no waitlist but we are working on our own internal list of patients who will fall into the Phase 2A so that we are ready.


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Announcements

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  1. We still have flu vaccine available for all ages. It is more important than ever this year to get your flu vaccine so give us a call today and see when you can swing by and get one.

  2. Monika’s last day with us was last week. Please be patient with us while we work to replace her. Please leave us a message, shoot and email to text and we will get back to you as quickly as we can. We can help with any issue you might have from a clinical question to a billing issue.

Stay Healthy!

Your answers to questions about COVID antibodies

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Antibody Testing – Frequently asked questions

What are antibodies?

When we get infections, our bodies create proteins to fight infections. These are called antibodies.

What’s the difference between an antibody test and a test for COVID-19?

A test for COVID-19 detects the presence of the virus itself whereas an antibody test detects antibodies to the virus. Antibody tests can show that a person had an infection in the past. But, it’s possible for people who still test positive to COVID-19 through a viral test to also test positive for antibodies. Medical providers should not use antibody tests to determine if a person has COVID-19. And, some commercial antibody tests have been inaccurate.

How long does it take for a person to create antibodies?

It can take days or weeks for a person to develop antibodies.

Do antibody tests for COVID-19 work?

Many commercial antibody tests do not work well, and therefore can be concerning. That’s because people could assume that positive antibody test results mean they are immune to COVID-19.

Medical experts don’t know yet if antibodies to COVID-19 will protect people from future infections. Researchers are working to learn if antibodies will be protective, and if they are, how long they would last or how many antibodies would be necessary to fight COVID-19. In addition, the virus can change or mutate as it travels from person to person and country to country. That’s what happens with the flu virus. And that’s why we need a new flu vaccine every fall. The virus has changed, and therefore, the flu vaccine must change as well.

Is UCHealth offering antibody testing?

No. Not yet. Experts at UCHealth are working to validate commercial tests to determine if they are accurate. In addition, researchers and lab scientists at the Anschutz Medical Campus are working to create an accurate, high-quality, homegrown antibody test for COVID-19. This test is not ready yet, but could be available within weeks or months.

Why is it so hard to create an accurate, high-quality antibody test?

COVID-19 is an infection that stems from a type of virus called a coronavirus. Coronaviruses are very common. Some of them cause common illnesses like the common cold. But, the specific coronavirus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, is highly infectious and can be dangerous or deadly. Some inaccurate antibody tests are resulting in what are known as “false positives.” These tests may be detecting other coronaviruses, but not SARS-CoV-2. Be very cautious about results from an antibody test.

Does a positive result from an antibody test mean a person is immune to COVID-19?

Even if a test is accurate, medical experts don’t know yet if antibodies for COVID-19 will prevent future infections. More research is needed into the virus that causes COVID-19, antibodies, and possible immunity.

Should I buy an antibody test at a pharmacy and count on its results?

No. You should be very cautious about antibody testing. Work with your doctor if you think you need antibody testing.

If I have a positive result from an antibody test, am I immune? Will I be protected from getting COVID-19 in the future?

Until antibody testing and immunities related to COVID-19 are much better understood, you should continue to follow all recommended precautions to avoid catching or spreading COVID-19, even if you think you have had COVID-19 in the past or even if you’ve gotten a positive result to an antibody test.

Wash your hands regularly. Keep at least 6 feet away from people in public. And, if you are sick, stay home. If you need medical advice, please consult with your provider. If you are concerned about going out for a doctor’s visit, you can easily do a telehealth visit with us.

Thank you uchealth.org for this excellent information

COVID-19 UPDATE AND PROCEDURES

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Given the lifting of the stay at home order next week and with ongoing monitoring of our current cases in the county we will be moving toward seeing more patients in the office starting next week. We will still offer telehealth for all of those interested patients when we can. We will begin to schedule some follow up visits in the office for blood pressure checks, physicals, blood work and other things that we need to do in person. We will make ever effort to not overlap patients in the office when we can and will be wearing masks and taking all precautions. We ask that you please consider wearing a mask as well when you come in. Our supply is limited so if you have your own mask/scarf/covering please bring it with you.

As always do not hesitate to contact us via phone, email or portal with questions and help deciding your best personal course of action.

There will continue to be testing available in the county as we all see how this goes and we will help our patients navigate this process for the coming weeks.

Dr. Glancey and Dr. Hankla

COVID-19 UPDATE

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While we are currently open and available for our patients there are a few things you should know. We highly encourage you to consider the telehealth option which at this point should be covered by all insurance.

1. If you have a fever, cough and/or shortness of breath and have travelled in the last two weeks or had close contact to someone who has please call us first before coming to the office.

2. We are offering telehealth visits for people who are sick or anyone else that doesn’t want to come into the office if and when we can. This is a great option for many people. Just give us a call and we will set you up for this.

3. We are staying up to date as the situation evolves and if things change we will let you know.

Dr. Glancey and Dr Hankla

The New Portal is Here!

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We have been waiting a few years now for the re-design of our portal and it has finally come.

The new portal looks to be much more user friendly.

You can link to the new portal at . https://bpfm.mymedaccess.com/login

Below is a screenshot showing the screen under Health in your portal. If you click on view information you can see medications, immunizations and much more.

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Give it a try and let us know what you think.

NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES

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We have updated our email addresses as our old ones have not been working for some time. The new ones are as follows:

Dr. Glancey: drglancey@byerspeakfm.com

Dr. Hankla: drhankla@byerspeakfm.com

If you have sent us an email within the past 4-6 weeks and we did not respond, our apologies! Please use the addresses above to contact us. Our general email for the office will remain byerspeakfm@gmail.com.

Exciting News for Byers Peak Family Medicine!

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We are excited to announce that we have hired a new partner to join the practice after Dr. Kennedy retires.  Dr. Dunne will join us August 1, 2017 with Dr. Kennedy retiring sometime in the summer prior.  Below is a biography that Dr. Dunne has written to share with you all.  More information to come as the date gets closer. 

 

Catherine was born in Massachusetts but grew up in the suburbs of Houston, spending every vacation she got in Winter Park with her parents and older sister. She attended undergraduate at the University of Notre Dame and came back to Colorado State University for her graduate work in human anatomy. After four years of medical school at Midwestern University in Chicago, she was ready to get back to Colorado. Catherine is currently a third year resident at Swedish Family Medicine Residency in Englewood, Colorado and counting the days until she will be joining Kelley up in Winter Park in August of 2017. Recently engaged, she and her fiancé, John (a paleontologist), have a border collie named Kit. Her main medicine interests include pediatrics and treating musculoskeletal injuries. She cannot wait to get back to Winter Park and start settling in with the community.

FLU SHOTS

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Flu shots are here for all ages.  The CDC recommends that everyone age 6 months and older get a flu shot every year for best protection.  It is not too early in the season and the flu shot will cover you for the entire flu season.  Come by or give us a call for your shot today!

This year there is no flumist available.  The flumist version did not provide good immunity and coverage in the last two years.  Let us know if you have questions.  

Office Updates

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In case we missed you in the snail mail I am posting a copy of Dr. Kennedy's recent letter. 

BYERS PEAK

FAMILY MEDICINE

May 10, 2016

Dear Friends, Patients and Families,

After 40 years of medical practice it is time for me to retire. Making this decision has been difficult for me, but it is the right thing to do. It has been a pleasure serving you all over the last 11 years. The timing of my departure will be about a year from now.

We will be looking for someone to take my place, but great family doctors are few and far between. Fortunately, Byers Peak will be in Kelley’s capable hands and she will carry on. Our mission has been to be a patient centered practice that allows ample time to care for everyone who enters our doors. I think we have mostly done this, and this will not change. In anticipation of not finding the right provider fit, we will be scaling back the practice. I am not accepting any new patients. We will not be able to accept any new Medicare or Medicaid patients, but will continue to accept new families. If you are a current patient and are expecting to be a Medicare patient soon, we will happily see you as well. We will continue to keep you updated as we move through the transition.

Lindy and I will not be leaving the county, and we look forward to seeing all of you around. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions.

Regards,

Jim Kennedy

Tips and Trick for your patient portal

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Tips and Trick for using the Patient Portal

 

1.     You will receive and email from noreply@healthportalsite.com that will allow you to register your portal account ( you may have to check you junk folder)

 

2.     Create a username for yourself that is not an email address. 

 

3.     The portal does not go automatically load all your past information so if there is something you would like to see in there you need to let us know. 

 

4.     Within the messaging tab, both the inbox or the sent messages, you can find a button that says compose that allows you to send us a message.

 

5.     In the Health Record tab you can find a medication list and a shot record

 

6.     When we send you a message with lab work or documents attached you can view these by clicking on the link that is within the last line of the heading you will see above the message

 

7.     Using the portal is the most efficient way for you to get lab results and non -urgent questions answered.

 

8.     The website to access the portal is www.healthportalsite.com and a link can also be found on our website www.byerspeakfm.com