Author Archives: Trudy

MPCP Pasadena Welcomes Sara Hoffman, PA-C

We are delighted to welcome Sara Hoffman, PA-C to the MPCP Pasadena office. Ms. Hoffman is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), and is trained in all aspects of primary care. She received her Master of Science/Physician Assistant degree from University of Maryland Graduate School.

Sara lists preventative medicine, patient education, mental health awareness, and building meaningful relationships with patients as her clinical goals. We welcome the addition of this bright, enthusiastic provider to our practice!

Sara is accepting patients of all ages.

The Glen Burnie Office Now Offers Diabetic Retinopathy Screening to Patients with Type I or Type II Diabetes

Diabetic Retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and can lead to vision loss, but early detection may help reduce the severity of the disease. All people with diabetes, Type 1 or Type 2, are at risk for diabetic retinopathy. To identify problems, diabetics should have yearly eye exams/screenings as a part of your diabetes management. We are now offering the screening for Diabetic Retinopathy in office. Please schedule your appointment today.

If you test positive for COVID-19…

There are now many testing sites offering COVID-19 testing, but not all call or contact you with the results. If you get tested for COVID-19, presume that you are positive until you hear the results.

If the COVID-19 test is positive, stay isolated from other family members and pets. Use a separate room if possible and drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated.

Check with your provider but return to work may be contemplated if quarantine has been in effect for 10 days and the temperature has been below 100 degrees Fahrenheit for 72 hours WITHOUT the use of Tylenol. Tylenol may be used for aches and/or fever. If shortness of breath occurs or chest pressure is worrisome, go to the Emergency Room.

If you test positive for COVID-19 and your employer requires testing to return to work, you will need:

  • To have two negative COVID-19 tests, collected at least 24 hours apart, AND have improvement of [respiratory] symptoms, AND be free of a fever without using fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol or Advil for 72 consecutive hours.

If you test positive for COVID-19 and testing is not required by your employer, you will need:

  • To have 10 days pass since you first developed symptoms, AND have improvement of [respiratory] symptoms, AND be free of a fever without using fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol or Advil for 72 consecutive hours.

 Here are some helpful CDC links with additional information:

What to Do if You’re Sick: Learn essential steps to take if you develop respiratory symptoms like staying home, managing symptoms, and protecting others. Visit the CDC’s guidance on handling illness.

Caring for a Sick Family Member
Follow tips on how to care for someone sick while minimizing risk for others in the home. Access caregiving guidelines here.

When Your Quarantine Can End
Discover guidelines to determine the safe end to your quarantine period, based on symptom improvement and other factors. Review the full CDC recommendations here.

Tests for COVID-19 active infection or COVID-19 antibody (past exposure) are now available

Maryland Primary Care Physicians is now offering tests for infectious Covid-19, as well as for the Covid-19 antibody, at some of its offices. Here’s what you need to know about the two tests.

Covid-19 active infection by PCR Testing

This procedure tests whether you currently have an active Covid-19 infection. Your healthcare provider inserts a 6-inch-long swab (like a long Q-tip) into the cavity between your nose and mouth for 10 seconds and rotates it several times. The swab is then inserted into a container and sent to our Central Laboratory for testing. Results are available by the end of the next business day. A positive result means that you had a Covid-19 infection at the time of your test.

Covid-19 antibody (past exposure) testing by Immunoassay

Antibody testing checks a sample of your blood to look for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. These antibodies are produced when you have been infected. Results from the test are available by the end of the next business. A positive result indicates that you were previously infected with the virus.

Antibody tests will not be able to tell you if you are currently infected because it typically takes 1 to 3 weeks to develop antibodies to SARS-CoV-2.

With many viral infections, antibodies provide some immunity (protection) from getting the disease again. However, we do not yet know yet if the antibodies that result from infection with SARS-CoV-2 can protect you from reinfection with this virus or how long antibodies to the virus will protect you. Scientists are conducting research to answer those questions.

Many health insurance companies are covering the cost of coronavirus/COVID-19 testing, so  check with your MPCP office to inquire about scheduling a test.