Notice to Our Patients on the Coronavirus Outbreak

Asheville Women’s is closely monitoring the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) as well national, state, and county recommendations. As we transition through the phased re-opening of our community we will continue to act in the best interests of our patients, balancing community and personal safety.

Obtaining health care, as appropriate, from Asheville Women’s Medical Center is considered essential, though to meet the social isolation standards of our community and minimize exposure to our patients, physicians, and staff, we are taking the following steps:

1.  Asheville Women’s Medical Center now requires that all patients wear a mask while on Asheville Women’s campus.  See below for more detail.

2.  We will continue to see pregnant patients in the office on a modified prenatal schedule.

3.  We will continue to see acute gynecologic problems in the office as appropriate.

4.  We are now seeing appropriate patients in the office for routine annual exams and screening imaging studies, such as mammography. 

5.  We are offering Telehealth appointments with all Physicians and Nurse Practitioners.

6.  We will be screening all patients entering the office with temperature checks and asking about any symptoms or exposures concerning for COVID-19 infection or pending testing results.

7.  We are currently no longer allowing companions or children to accompany patients into the office. 

8.  We kindly ask that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

Current COVID Vaccination information for Pregnant and Breastfeeding women

COVID-19 vaccine development and regulatory approval are rapidly progressing. Thus, information and recommendations will evolve as more data are collected about these vaccines and their use in specific populations. 

Currently, there are two COVID vaccinations that have been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in the United States, from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.  Though the testing and safety evaluation of these vaccines did not include young children or pregnant patients, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (ACOG) recommends that vaccines “should not be withheld” from pregnant and lactating individuals who meet criteria for vaccination based on ACIP-recommended priority groups. 

At the current time, the benefits of receiving the vaccine are felt to outweigh the potential risks in the setting of limited safety data in the pregnant population.  However, it is important that every patient makes an informed decision, in consult with their physician if they choose. 

Other, similar, vaccinations will likely soon be approved for EUA. We will continue to monitor the safety and efficacy of these new vaccines. 

It remains important, regardless of vaccination status, to continue the “3 W’s” of COVID prevention, including washing hands, waiting 6ft from others, and wearing a mask. 

Information regarding function and composition of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination: 

The mRNA vaccines are not live virus vaccines, nor do they use an adjuvant to enhance vaccine efficacy. These vaccines do not enter the nucleus and do not alter human DNA in vaccine recipients. As a result, mRNA vaccines cannot cause any genetic changes. 

In the vaccine itself, there are 10 total ingredients. 

• The mRNA molecule (Messenger RNA – which contains genetic instructions for a coronavirus protein called spike. Once injected, the mRNA will instruct human cells to manufacture spike, exposing the immune system to a highly recognizable feature of the virus. The idea is to help the body learn one of the virus’s most distinguishing traits, so that the virus will be recognized and rapidly quashed if it tries to establish an infection. The mRNA rapidly degrades, leaving no trace in the body. All that’s left behind is a molecular memory of the virus — the intended goal of any vaccine. 

• 4 Lipids: which form protective bubble around the mRNA to help it get into the cells 

• Sucrose (Sugar): to aid in storage while the vaccine is frozen 

• 4 Salts: potassium chloride, monobasic potassium phosphate, basic sodium phosphate, and sodium chloride 

ACOG Practice Advisory Dec 13 2020

Pfizer-Biontech – Fact Sheet for recipients and Caregivers: https://www.fda.gov/media/144414/download 

The New York Times Dec 17 2020 

Current COVID Vaccination information for Breast imaging 

According to the Society of Breast Imaging, if possible and when it does not unduly delay care, consider scheduling screening exams prior to the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination or 4-6 weeks following the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccination. 

If you are currently scheduled for screening breast imaging and need to postpone, please contact our office through the secure patient portal or by calling (828) 258-9191 as soon as possible. 

For more information, please refer to:

https://www.sbi-online.org/Portals/0/Position%20Statements/2021/SBI-recommendations-for-managing-axillary-adenopathy-post-COVID-vaccination.pdf

Asheville Women’s Medical Center is pleased to announce Telehealth appointments that are available for existing patients!  Patients need access to a smartphone, tablet or computer to have a virtual one on one encounter with a provider.  Same day appointments are available when necessary.  If a face to face encounter is needed, we are also available in the office for all urgent matters.

Masking Information:

We support the CDC’s recommendations for greater adoption of mask usage by the general public and especially in areas where 6 feet of separation is not practical. 

 Patients are asked to bring their own procedural/surgical mask or a homemade cloth mask. Our staff will provide you with an appropriate mask if necessary.

Examples of face coverings that are of improper quality and should be replaced with a level one procedure mask are:

• Bandanas

• Scarves

• Handkerchiefs

• Neck gaiters/neck wraps

• Shirts tied across face

• Balaclavas or ski masks

• Knitted or crochet style masks

• Any mask with an exhalation valve 

The mask should be worn for their entire visit to our office and not be removed until leaving the facility.  We will insist on proper mask use and hygiene including wearing the mask as directed to cover the mouth and nose and encourage avoidance of manipulation/touching the mask to reduce the risk of contamination and self-inoculation.

For more information on face coverings and masks, please click the link below for CDC guidelines:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html