patients

Dear Elica Patient:

We know that this is a difficult time and that you have concerns about coronavirus (COVID-19), your healthcare and your family and loved ones. The staff at Elica wants to reassure you that we are following all CDC and state guidelines regarding testing, treatment, and cleanliness. We already clean each exam room after every patient and have also added additional cleaning and disinfecting procedures to help keep you safe.

At this time, all of our clinics and our Mobile Unit are open and seeing patients. If you need an appointment, you can be seen, either with your regular provider or with another provider based on availability. 

Please keep in mind:

  • If you or a family member are experiencing a fever, cough, or trouble breathing, please call our Patient Service Center so that we may direct you to the most appropriate method of care. Please do not walk-in to the clinic unless instructed to do so.
  • For the safety of our patients and our staff, access to the clinics is currently restricted to patients only. Please do not bring any guests or other family members as they will not be allowed inside the clinic. Exceptions will be evaluated on a case by case basis at the clinic. 
  • As test kits for COVID-19 are still limited at this time, Elica is following the most current guidance from the Sacramento and Yolo County Health Departments regarding testing. Your healthcare provider will determine if you are a candidate for testing based on your symptoms and history of possible exposure. If you are not currently experiencing any symptoms, you will not be tested.

You may also want to consider using our Elica Patient Portal if you need to view portions of your medical record, request refills, or correspond directly with your care team. If you are not currently signed up for the Portal, please call us at 855-354-2242 for assistance.

Remember to wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face.

We are proud to serve our community and our staff is here for you during this challenging time.

Scott Needle, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Elica Health Centers

 

Video: How to Talk to Kids About the Coronavirus

March 6, 2020 – Chief Medical Officer of Elica Health Centers, Dr. Scott Needle, was interviewed to speak on how to talk to kids about the coronavirus (COVID-19). The outbreak can be unnerving for adults and even more for kids. Talking to kids about the virus can ease their anxiety.

He mentions that kids of all ages understand and can be taught to wash their hands the way that the CDC and WHO are recommending.

Dr. Needle is a pediatrician and also a member of the council on Disaster Preparedness at the American Academy of Pediatrics.

“If there is a true medical reason for an exemption, then that needs to be documented. There has to be proof behind that. You cannot just give an exemption when the child doesn’t really have a medical exemption.

You have to look at every child individually. The most important thing is make sure that the child is healthy.

One way to prevent diseases like measles [is to get vaccinated].

We have had an outbreak, in the past months, in the United States, of 1400 cases of measles. Measles, people think it’s a mild illness and it’s really not because it has a lot of complications.

I have seen children hospitalized, many years ago, with measles and meningitis.

These are preventable illnesses that vaccines prevent.

So, it’s really important to get those vaccines to prevent these diseases, sometimes, life threatening diseases.”  – Dr. Tapia