​New patients and returning patients will have several forms to fill out upon arrival. Prior to your visit, you can go to our website's Forms and click on the forms that apply to you, fill them out and bring them to your visit. This will save time at check-in.

A note from our providers

March 16, 2020
​
To our valued patients,
 
 First and foremost, we at Visalia Ob/Gyn Medical Associates want to express our ongoing commitment to your well being. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has made it to Tulare County, and it is a priority to minimize further spread of illness in our community as we continue to provide you with the best possible medical care. Our office will remain open with regular business hours to provide obstetric and gynecologic care. A few things you need to know,
 
 FOR OUR OFFICE
 
  1. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. If you are experiencing these symptoms, particularly if your symptoms are severe or if you have traveled internationally in the last month, contact your primary care physician or dial 211 to receive guidance from Tulare County Health Services regarding testing and care.  We cannot test for COVID-19 through our office.  If you do have flu or cold like symptoms, please do not come to our office or go to the Family Birth Center without calling first.
  2. To minimize the risk of exposure to both patients and staff, we ask that you not bring family or friends with you to appointments. We care for a spectrum of patients, many of whom are at higher risk for serious illness if infected by COVID-19. We have an obligation to do everything we can to protect patients and staff so that we can continue to safely provide care. We certainly understand that this may be a difficult and unwanted transition, particularly with school and daycare closures. Know that this is meant to minimize your risk of disease exposure.
 
3)  Patients 65 and older should consider rescheduling appointments for routine care or problems which do not need to be addressed in the short term.
 
PREGNANCY
 
At this time, very little is known about COVID-19 related to its effect on pregnant women and infants, and there currently are no recommendations specific to pregnant women regarding the evaluation or management of COVID-19.

Currently available data on COVID-19 does not indicate that pregnant women are at increased risk. In general, pregnant women are at higher risk for developing complications from some viral respiratory infections because their immune defenses are lowered during pregnancy. However, there is no reason for pregnant women, specifically, to be panicked. There is too little information currently available to say whether or not transmission of COVID-19 from mother to infant occurs, whether COVID-19 crosses the placenta, or whether infection is transmissible through breastfeeding.
 
PREVENTION MEASURES
 
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these include
 
  • Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • If soap and water are not available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol
  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
  • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash, and washing your hands
  • Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces
  • Staying home when you are sick