East Granby Family Practice, in conjunction with SOHO Health, is working closely with World Health Organization (WHO) the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to stay current on COVID-19 and its impacts. In an effort to help you stay safe and current with the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation, SOHO Health has created a web page for information and resources. The page is a repository for information and resources including patient materials available for download and printing, practice resources and helpful links. We encourage you to visit the page often as information will be regularly updated. To easily visit the COVID-19 Patient Resources page click here.
It is our utmost concern at East Granby Family Practice to put the safety of our staff and patients first while continuing to offer medical care to our patients. We have developed procedures and protocols to separate our contagious patients from those who are not.
When calling for an appointment, patients will be screened for risk of coronavirus exposure or infection. Recent onset of fever, cough, respiratory distress, sore throat and recent travel history or exposure to crowds are concerning for the COVID-19 illness and our trained triage nurses will determine the next course of action in conjunction with the DPH. If testing is appropriate and available, patients will be directed to the nearest facility with an order from your EGFP provider.
If, when calling for an appointment, a patient is determined to be at low risk for coronavirus, an appointment will be given. We have asked all patients, once they have arrived at the parking lot, to call the office stating they are there. Our nurses will then meet the patient at the car and do limited vital signs and test, if needed for strep throat and/or flu. If, the patient needs further assessment, the patient would be brought to our special containment room for further evaluation. This is a room that we have set up that does not communicate with the rest of the office. In this manner, no contagious patient is entering the main office building minimizing risk to other patients and our staff.
We are continuing to see our healthy patients for their medical needs. This includes patients who need their visits for chronic medical problems, injuries, orthopedic problems, well-child visits, and preoperative evaluations. We are not using our waiting room as we are bringing patients directly from the parking lot to the exam room, rather than waiting in the waiting room.
We feel that it is important for our pediatric patients to keep their well-child visits, as it is important to monitor growth and development and to be sure that all immunizations are given to protect the children from other potentially devastating diseases. In that light, we ask the parents to call us when they arrive in the parking lot. We have designated one room for well-child visits (newborn to age 5) where the height and weight will be recorded and immunizations given. Once the nurses are informed of the child's arrival, they will prepare the immunizations, prepare the room, and when all is ready ask the parents to bring the child directly to the designated well-child care room. This will minimize contact with any other patients. Parents are asked not to bring other siblings at this visit and if they themselves are ill, to reschedule the visit.
Some patients may still feel uneasy about coming to the office during this coronavirus pandemic. They may reschedule the appointment if the needs are not urgent. However, they may also opt for a telemedicine or virtual office visit. This means, they would keep the appointment time and their provider would call them then to update and adjust medications, refill prescriptions, evaluate and recommend treatment for problems, order blood work or other screening tests that are due such as mammograms or colonoscopies and make referrals if needed.. A record of this visit will be maintained in the chart and appropriate virtual office visit billing submitted to insurance.
Please be assured that all of our staff is following the cleanliness protocols from the Center for Disease Control and the Department of Public Health to prevent transmission of all infections including the coronavirus. This includes frequent handwashing, cleaning all surfaces between patients, wearing protective mask and gloves when needed and minimizing sharing of inanimate objects such as pens and papers. Even though we are only allowing non-contagious patients in our waiting room, we have set it up so that there is large distances between the chairs.
The following is the EGFP information sheet developed to give guidelines on how to treat the symptoms of this virus. This is supportive care and similar to that recommended to treat most viral infections. .
The Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a respiratory virus that gives symptoms similar to that of the flu or, even, the common cold. Common symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Muscle pain, sputum induction & sore throat are less common symptoms. Although majority of cases result in mild symptoms, some progress to pneumonia and even death, especially in older adults who have multiple medical problems. This is a viral illness and antibiotics will not help. Antiviral medications like Tamiflu, will not help either. Treatment goals are to reduce the symptoms and to prevent spread among family members and the community.
The virus is thought to be transmitted from person to person, either by direct contact, by contact with the virus through sneezing and coughing and by contact with the virus on surfaces that were contaminated by infected persons. To prevent contracting the disease, practice social distancing. This means stay home whenever you can, only leaving home to perform essential tasks, especially if you are over 65 and/or have multiple medical problems. Testing for the COVID-19 virus has been challenging but there are now centers that are testing if you fit the criteria. A new Rapid COVID-19 test will be available in a few weeks to test in the office.
In most cases, COVID-19 does not cause serious illness. It typically lasts for 7 to 14 days; once diagnosed with COVID-19, or if in intimate contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, it is advised that patients self-isolate for 2 weeks. Like any illness, the virus can make you more susceptible to other infections, such as another viral infection or a bacterial infection. Generally a physician can distinguish a bacterial infection such as sinusitis, pneumonia, otitis media and strep throat from a virus infection through a patient's history, examination and testing.
The following are general measures to make you feel better:
1. Get more rest, do not go to work or school if you have a fever. Rest at home and go to bed early.
2. Drink more fluids. Chicken soup is a good example and it has anti-inflammatory properties. Also use water, juices, teas and other clear nutritious fluids to try to flush the virus out of your system. Also, good hydration helps the body fight the infection and thin the mucus secretions, so the body can get rid of them.
3. Flush out the virus or bacteria by using saline nose spray - 2 sprays each nostril frequently initially until feeling better,, then 2- 3 times per day thereafter. Take steamy showers to break up mucus. Use a humidifier in the bedroom at night or in the room where you spend most of the day. Consider Vicks vapor rub, either the plug-in type or the type that can be rubbed on the chest.
4. A runny nose and congestion may improve with the use of decongestants, such as Sudafed (pseudoephedrine), as long as you do not have a history of hypertension or have side effects such as palpitations due to decongestants. Antihistamines such as Claritin, Zyrtec, or Benadryl may also help but have side effects such as drowsiness and drying of the eyes nose and mouth. Antihistamines may be helpful if the underlying problem is allergy.
5. A steroid nasal inhaler (some are over the counter such as Rhinocort and Flonase) may be helpful to reduce the inflammation in the nose and the congestion, especially if allergies are the main problem
6. A medication to break up mucus is important at times. Such medications gently have guaifenesin as the active ingredient. Mucinex is a well known example. Mucinex D has a long acting decongestant combined with it. Often take the 12 hr Mucinex D during the day and plain Mucinex at night to prevent the insomnia that the "D" or decongestant can cause. (Ask the pharmacist for the Mucinex D "behind the counter" as it has the better active ingredient.)
7. For muscle aches and pains, sore throat, and for fever, recent information shows that it is better to use acetaminophen (Tylenol) rather than ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve). Ibuprofen and naproxen could help the fever and aches, but may be associated with prolonging the course of the Coronavirus illness.
8. For cough, usually humidified air, steamy showers, teas, tea with honey, cough drops, or products such as Vicks VapoRub work well. Other over-the-counter cough medications that could be used usually have a combination of guaifenesin and dextromethorphan such as Mucinex DM, Delsym, or Robitussin-DM.
9. All over-the-counter medications should be taking as indicated on their label.
10. To prevent spread of the infection, it is important to have good hand washing with soap and water. Hands should be washed often, and it is important not to touch your eyes nose or mouth when in contact with others who are ill. Also, it is important to self-isolate. This means to stay at home. Do not work, go to grocery stores, restaurants, bars or other places of social gatherings.
11. Antibiotics are used only if there seems to be a bacterial complication.
12. If sudden worsening of symptoms, such as unremitting high fever along with a bad cough and shortness of breath, seek health care immediately. Go directly to an emergency room, or call 911.
East Granby Family Practice, (EGFP) recognizes the importance that the coronavirus pandemic has had on everyone, including patients of our practice. This page is designed to conveniently keep you informed of new developments and provide links to reputable COVID information.
Updated COVID Vaccine Information from EGFP as of January 15, 2021
Our most recent information is that initial administration of the vaccine will be at predetermined locations throughout the state. Every patient will need to register in VAMS (Vaccine Administration Management System) of the CDC and then will be able to schedule an appointment. You may choose a location near your home. Phase 1B patients who are 75 and older are able to register to schedule appointments now. Other groups in Phase 1B will be able to register soon. Keep checking. Please go to https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/covid-19%20vaccinations, for more detailed information and to sign up on the VAMS system. A direct link to sign into the VAMS system if you are eligible at this time is https://dphsubmissions.ct.gov/OnlineVaccine
We have registered to distribute the COVID vaccine to our patients in our office through the Department of Public Health (DPH). We do not know yet which vaccine will be available to be given in private doctors' offices, nor the exact timetable. We will be "invited" by the DPH to upload our roster of patients when they have vaccine for us. We have prepared all documents required and we are ready. Presently, vaccines are not being distributed through private offices, so please go to https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/covid-19%20vaccinations ,register and get the vaccine as soon as able.
Please call our office once you have received the vaccine so we may record it in you chart.
For more general information on vaccine distribution, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html. Understand that each state may distribute the vaccine a bit differently from the general guidelines. For Connecticut specific information, go to https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/covid-19%20vaccinations.
If you feel you have symptoms of the COVID-19 illness, Symptoms of Coronavirus | CDC, then our policy is that you get tested before visiting the office. Although inconvenient, this protects the other patients and staff at EGFP. An infected patient or staff member could "shut down" the office, leaving patients with other conditions without care. This policy will continue at least until staff and patients have had the opportunity to be vaccinated. To find a convenient testing site, go to https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus . Another link to at testing site near you is United Way 211 (211ct.org).
If you have had the COVID-19 illness, then you will need to postpone in-person office visits until 14 days have passed since the date of the positive test and 48 hours have passed since you have had symptoms. A Telemedicine visit (see below) is available if needed for medical care during this time.
In the meantime, please be careful during this period of the coronavirus pandemic. Wear a face covering or mask when out in public and keep your contacts with others brief. Practice social distancing and self isolation. Wash your hands well with soap and water often. Keep your immune system healthy by staying positive, stay hydrated, exercise in fresh air, avoid alcohol overuse and get plenty of sleep. Take your multivitamin and medications. Stay well.
For other general information about the Coronavirus which causes COVID-19 disease, please refer to the Forms & Links Tab and click on COVID19, or visit the SOHO COVID-19 Patient Resources page by clicking here.
Other office policies and information:
During this coronavirus pandemic, we understand that some patients may wish to postpone or cancel their appointments for care. We urge those patients to consider telemedicine. (see Telemedicine section under "Forms and Links") This is either a telephone call or a telehealth face to face HIPAA compliant virtual visit. Medical problems can be addressed, prescriptions refilled, medications updated and laboratory or diagnostic tests ordered. In this manner , we can continue to address your medical needs in a timely manner. Please keep your appointment in person at the office, or convert your visit to a telemedicine visit when you confirm your appointment. We have taken comprehensive measures to keep you safe. For more information, go to the COVID19 section of this web site as directed above, or call our office at 860-653-4526.
Many patients over age 65 with Medicare or Medicare advantage plans are finding, during this coronavirus pandemic, an opportunity to complete the insurance encouraged Annual Wellness Visit, (See Annual Wellness Visit under "Services") since this evaluation may be completed through the telemedicine services offered by our office. EGFP, LLC is a full service medical office that provides both preventive care for children and adults, and medical treatment of pediatric and adult patients for chronic medical problems and acute illnesses. The providers perform office surgery, dermatological procedures, pulmonary function tests, radiological tests, electrocardiograms, immunizations, phlebotomy, audiology tests, and tympanography. The practice provides comprehensive medical care in the suburban and rural communities north of Hartford, Connecticut which includes the towns of East Granby, Granby, Windsor, Windsor Locks, Suffield, West Suffield, Enfield, Simsbury, Avon, Bloomfield and East Windsor. We also provide care for adjacent communities in south central Massachusetts. Appointment Hours for in-person or virtual visits: Monday 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday 7:00 AM - 6:30 PM Friday 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday starting 8:00 AM for Urgent Care Telephone Hours (Monday-Friday): 8:30 AM - 11:55 AM 1:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Important Notice About Patient Portal Access WebView was retired effective July 12th, 2019. We have transitioned the patient portal to a new site effective immediately. Please update your shortcut to the new address https://egfpct.mymedaccess.com moving forward. Please click here for instructions on using the new portal. Patient Portal contact with the physicians of East Granby Family Practice is for NON-URGENT CARE only and NOT EMERGENCY CARE. Please contact the office immediately if there is an urgent or emergency need for medical care.
Employment Opportunities
Employment opportunities in the front office, nursing and provider departments become available from time to time. Please call the office at 860-653-4526 to check for available positions and to submit your resume for consideration.