Effective Wednesday, August 12th, our SE office has moved to a new suite in the same building. The new suite number is 414C, which is one floor up from our current location.
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Office Wait List Links
We are starting a new automated wait list for shot patients to streamline patient flow in the office. This should lessen wait times you have incurred for getting allergy injections.
You will be able to add your name to the wait list using the links below. Each office has a unique waiting list. When space is available, you will be notified via text and/or email based on how you sign-in to come up to the office.
We ask that you add all family members to wait list individually.
If you prefer, you can still call our main number, (303) 234-1067 Option 1 and we will put you on the waiting list and call you when it is your turn.
Links: (Only use the links below when you are already at the office. You will have 5 minutes to appear in the office once notified or your spot will be cancelled.)
Arvada – https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/bvaa-arvada
Boulder – https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/bvaa-boulder
Central – https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/bvaa-central
DW- https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/bvaa-dw
Lafayette – https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/bvaa-lafayette
North – https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/bvaa-north
Re-opening Information
4/30/2020
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
We are excited to begin resuming normal hours at BVAA/DAA Clinics. Starting Monday May 4, 2020, all offices will open except the Southeast office. Unfortunately, since we share space at the SE office, we are unable to insure adequate social distancing at this time.
If you are on immunotherapy (allergy) injections, your extracts will be returned to their prior location on May 4th. The Southeast office extracts will be transferred to our Central office located at 1660 S Albion St Suite 907 Denver CO 80222, near Colorado Blvd and I-25, which should be more convenient for you. Wednesday hours will be added to the Central office for both appointments with Dr. Paul Schkade and allergy injections. Shot/office hours are listed on this website. Please let us know if you want your immunotherapy (allergy) extracts sent to a different location.
Scheduling for office appointments will be modified to lessen risk of COVID-19 transmission. If you are an existing patient and are due for a routine follow-up appointment with your physician, we encourage you to consider using our Telehealth option.
If you need acute care for exacerbation of allergies, asthma, hives etc., our staff will triage your problem and consult with your physician. We will determine best option for your care which could include scheduling appointment in the office, scheduling telehealth appointment or going to urgent care. We will be screening all patients’/caregivers’ temperatures upon arrival and if there is any fever you will be directed to an urgent care clinic for evaluation. Please do not come to our office if you have or think you have a fever or other signs of COVID-19. We do not have in-office testing for COVID-19.
New patients will be scheduled for in-office appointments and we will resume skin testing appointments.
We are still concerned about the risk of COVID-19 transmission when doing spirometry (“breathing tests”) and are currently not offering them. Hopefully, this important means of monitoring and diagnosing asthma will be available soon as the risk diminishes.
We are still requiring face masks or other acceptable coverage of mouth and nose for anyone entering our offices. We ask that you respect this request for the safety of other patients and staff. We will continue to support public health initiatives to continue slowing the spread of COVID-19.
We are trying to minimize the number of visitors to our office, so we ask that you come for shots and appointments unaccompanied or with one caregiver/parent.
We are starting a new automated wait list for shot patients to streamline patient flow in the office. This should lessen wait times you have incurred for getting allergy injections.
You will be able to add your name to the wait list using the links below. Each office has a unique waiting list. When space is available, you will be notified via text and/or email based on how you sign-in to come up to the office.
If you prefer, you can still call our main number, (303) 234-1067 Option 1 and we will put you on the waiting list and call you when it is your turn.
For the Denver West office, you will need to be added to the waiting list by 4 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and by 5 PM on Mon and Thurs. For Saturday shots at Denver West, you will need to be added to waitlist by 11AM.
Links: (Only use the links below when you are already at the office. You will have 5 minutes to appear in the office once notified or your spot will be cancelled.)
Arvada – https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/bvaa-arvada
Boulder – https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/bvaa-boulder
Central – https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/bvaa-central
DW- https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/bvaa-dw
Lafayette – https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/bvaa-lafayette
North – https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/bvaa-north
SW – https://v2.waitwhile.com/welcome/bvaa-sw
If you have questions or concerns, please call and speak to the office at 303-234-1067.
Thank you,
BVAA/DAA
COVID 19 and Asthma
Information comes from ACAAI. The original article can be found here.
As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the United States and the world, allergists are hearing from their patients – those with allergies and especially those suffering from asthma. They are worried that having asthma means they’re at increased risk for developing symptoms from COVID-19 if they are exposed. They also wonder if their symptoms will be more dangerous if they have the virus. In addition, a recent announcement regarding a shortage of albuterol has increased anxiety throughout the country.
It is important if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or suspect you may have COVID-19 and are using a nebulizer at home, that you know the virus may persist in droplets in the air for 1-2 hours. Therefore, you should administer nebulized albuterol in a location that minimizes exposure to members of your household who aren’t infected. Choose a location for your treatment where air is not recirculated into the home – places like a porch or patio, or in a garage – areas where surfaces can be cleaned more easily or may not need cleaning.
The allergists of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology have information and tips to share. We are making every effort to keep our information updated and will be linking to the most current news on the virus to keep you in the loop.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has listed asthma as one of the chronic illnesses that may increase the chance of a severe case of COVID-19. So, what do you need to know if you or a family member suffers from asthma? Read the points below for more information.
- Respiratory viruses are the most common trigger for asthma exacerbations (severe worsening typically requiring oral steroids to relieve symptoms).
- Not all viruses affect asthma patients equally. Some viruses such as influenza and rhinovirus are more likely to trigger asthma flares than others.
- Right now, we don’t know if COVID-19 is one of those viruses that tends to trigger asthma exacerbation.
- There is no clear evidence that patients with asthma are at any higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
- Asthma is an “underlying medical condition” that may be associated with more severe disease if you are infected with COVID-19.
- There is no evidence that asthma medications used to prevent symptoms (inhaled steroids, oral steroids, montelukast, biologics), etc. increase your risk of contracting COVID-19.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology recommends:
- Continuing or resuming your asthma routine that helps you control your symptoms.
- Using short acting rescue medications as needed for symptoms.
- Following your asthma action plan if you have one.
- Following CDC guidelines regarding infection control, hygiene, social distancing, etc.
- If you have an upcoming appointment with your allergist, please call to confirm. Many allergists are using telemedicine for return appointments.
- Contacting your allergist if you have questions about your medications or if your symptoms seem to be worsening or not under control.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI)’s Guidance on Risk of Allergic Reactions to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine:
December 14, 2020
Allergic reactions to vaccines, in general, are rare with the incidence of anaphylaxis estimated at 1.31 in 1 million doses given. With the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine by the FDA on December 11, 2020, the ACAAI COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force recommends the following guidance for physicians and other providers related to risk of an allergic reaction on vaccination. These recommendations are based on best knowledge to date but could change at any time, pending new information and further guidance from the FDA or CDC.
1. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine should be administered in a health care setting where anaphylaxis can be treated. All individuals must be observed for at least 20-30 minutes after injection to monitor for any adverse reaction. All anaphylactic reactions should be managed immediately with IM epinephrine as the first line treatment.
2. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine should not be administered to individuals with a known history of a severe allergic reaction to polyethylene glycol as it is a component of this vaccine known to cause anaphylaxis.
3. Data related to risk in individuals with a history of allergic reactions to previous vaccinations and/or mast cell activation syndrome/idiopathic anaphylaxis is very limited and evolving. A clinical decision to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine should be undertaken by the physician or other provider administering the vaccine using their professional judgment and in consultation with the patient, balancing the benefits and risks associated with taking the vaccine.
4. Individuals with common allergies to medications, foods, inhalants, insects and latex are no more likely than the general public to have an allergic reaction to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Those patients should be informed of the benefits of the vaccine versus its risks.
5. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is not a live vaccine and can be administered to immunocompromised patients. Physicians and other providers should inform such immunocompromised patients of the possibility of a diminished immune response to the vaccine.
6. Anyone with questions related to the risk of an allergic reaction to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine should contact their local board-certified allergist/immunologist.
Links
Frequently Asked Patient Questions About the COVID-19 Vaccine (Posted 03/24/2021)
Important information about COVID-19 for those with asthma (Posted 3/12/2020)
A message to asthma sufferers about a shortage of albuterol metered-dose inhalers (Updated 3/23/2020)
Asthma-specific information and recommendations from the CDC (Updated 3/17/2020)
COVID-19 resources from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
IMPORTANT OFFICE HOURS UPDATE
Given the severity of the threat posed by COVID19 and for the protection of our staff and patient, we have decided to modify our business practices. Our hope is that by making these changes, we will be able to better support public health initiatives to slow the spread of the infection and prevent our hospital system from being overloaded.
Effective immediately, we are closing our Arvada, Central, Lafayette, SE and SW offices. At this time we do not know when these offices will reopen. If you get shots at those offices, we will transfer your serum to one of our three offices that remain open. The offices that remain open are Denver West, North and Boulder.
Shot serum will be rerouted as follows:
Arvada will go to North – available starting 3/18
Central will go to Denver West – available starting 3/19
Lafayette will go to Boulder – available starting 3/18
SE will go to Denver West – available starting 3/18
SW will go to Denver West – available starting 3/18
If you would prefer to go to one of our other open locations, please call 303-234-1067 to have your serum transferred.
Also effective immediately, we have stopped all in-office provider visits beginning 3/17. At this time we are unable to provide an estimate as to when in-office provider visits will resume. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
We will be providing TeleHealth services beginning Monday, March 23rd.
We appreciate your continued support during these uncertain times.
Thank you,
BVAA/DAA
SE Office Closed Mondays
Our SE office located at Belleview and I-25 will be closed on Monday afternoons beginning immediately through at least April 6th.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
As of now, the clinic will still be open on Wednesdays.
If you would like your serum transferred to another clinic location, please call the main office at 303-234-1067.
Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time.