Great Valley Medical Associates

Where you can go to get tested for COVID. Where to get tested if you have been exposed to COVID and or have symptoms: Public health departments, pharmacies and some healthcare providers support COVID testing for asymptomatic patients, sometimes without a provider’s order: If you are interested in testing at one of these sites should call ahead to verify services and check requirements (e.g. appointment, pre-registration, provider’s order, eligibility criteria)... Results from community testing sites are usually directed to patients not their doctor. By COUNTY: Delaware County: http://delcopa.gov/ich/resources/covid19/testing.html Chester County: https://www.chesco.org/.../Coronavirus-COVID-19-Nasal... Montgomery County: Website: https://data-montcopa.opendata.arcgis.com/.../covid... Philadelphia County: https://www.phila.gov/covid-testing-sites/#/ Pharmacies: (not in every one but select pharmacies test for COVID) CVS: https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing Rite Aid: https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/services/covid-19-testing Also check the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. They maintain a website listing community testing sites: https://pema.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html... > DELCOPA.GOV Information on Testing - Delaware County, Pennsylvania See more

Signs of infection with Influenza

There have been at least 1,300 flu deaths in the US so far this season Just months into flu season, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that at least 1,300 people have already died from the flu. The deaths of 10 children have been confirmed. The agency estimates there have been at least 2.6 million cases and 23,000 hospitalizations from the virus.... Experts have warned that this season is particularly aggressive because of the early emergence of the influenza B strain, which typically appears toward the end of the season. Aside from washing hands and avoiding people who are sick, the CDC says it’s key for everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated. And even if it won’t prevent all cases of the flu, it will lessen the severity and shorten the duration of flu. Symptoms of the flu can include fever, chills, coughing, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue. If you do have the flu, the good news is that it's unlikely you’ll also get a cold. Scientists believe that influenza has a negative reaction to rhinovirus, the virus that causes the common cold. Why that happens, though, is still a mystery.

https://www.facebook.com/chrisandnina//10156242938778772/

Merriest of Holiday Greetings to you and yours!

Please get your Flu shot! Flucelvax for those under 65; Fluzone for those over 65. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/prevention.htm

The percent of patients who received the FLU shot for the 2017-2018 season is 67%. Not bad! Ideally everyone would be vaccinated against influenza. We will be offering the 2018 FLU vaccine to our patients starting in September 2018.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms in the office!

Christopher A. Lucas, DO Published by Chris Lucas Just now There is a new and improved Shingles Vaccine called SHINGRIX.... NOTE: If you are not a currently a patient of Great Valley Medical Associates please discuss this vaccine with your doctor first. We will be giving the vaccine to all current Non-Medicare patients in the office - please Call to arrange the vaccination. We are ordering the vaccine in batches based on demand. We will also have you schedule a follow up visit to receive the second vaccination to complete the series. If you are on Medicare - it is covered under "Medicare Part D." Go to CVS or Rite aid - ask if they are giving the SHINGRIX vaccine and show your Medicare card. It is a series of 2 vaccinations given 2-6 months apart. It is over 90% effective at preventing Shingles - which is a very painful rash that can lead to chronic pain, if you get both vaccinations. It is recommended for all persons over 50 years of age, even if you already received the older shingles vaccine that was called ZOSTAVAX. I have included the Centers of Disease Vaccination statement link here: https://www.cdc.gov//vis-stateme/shingles-recombinant.html Also: Here is a link to Dr Greg Poland from the Mayo Clinic summarizing the disease of Shingles and benefits of the Vaccine: https://youtu.be/LHoh-g_21q0

Congratulations Dr. Lanza and Dr. Lucas for being in the 2017 Mainline Today Top Doctor list!

GOOD NEWS! Since 2015 GREAT VALLEY MEDICAL ASSOCIATES has been certified as a Patient Centered Medical Home! What is the PCMH?... The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is a model of care that aims to transform the delivery of comprehensive primary care to children, adolescents, and adults. Through the medical home model, practices seek to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of the care they deliver while responding to each patient’s unique needs and preferences. No matter where you fall on the spectrum of PCMH transformationmanaging current projects, enhancing basic concepts, or advancing to more complex initiativesthe adoption of PCMH concepts can benefit patients and the office in many ways: - Better coordinated, more comprehensive and personalized care - Improved access to medical care and services - Improved health outcomes, especially for patients who have chronic conditions see the link below for more information on the Patient Centered Medical Home

Happy Holidays from the nurses and staff at Great Valley Medical Associates!

Dr. Schuster's last day collage....

Wonderful party celebrating Dr Schuster's years of service to his patients and the Paoli community!!