Important Information for IBD Patients

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for IBD Patients

MNGI Digestive Health is continuing to monitor the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and understand the impact it may have on our IBD patients. We are not recommending patients stop their IBD medications, especially due to the concern over the potential need for rescue corticosteroids.

Please follow the precautions set forth by the CDC: wash your hands, avoid large crowds, and cancel all non-essential travel if possible.

If you are an IBD patient and have contracted COVID-19, your case will be individualized to your treatment plan.

Please report any IBD cases of confirmed Coronavirus on the COVID-19 IBD registry site:  covidibd.web.unc.edu

 

Infusion Update

It’s particularly important for immunosuppressed patients on biologic medications to stay on schedule. MNGI is taking extra measures to ensure that it happens while keeping you healthy and safe. Many of these changes are to create social distancing for your time with us.

MNGI is expanding the infusion schedules to spread out appointments and see fewer people at any one time in any one space. There is also physical distancing in our infusion areas and the addition of private rooms. We are also limiting and screening everyone who comes into our clinic space to limit the exposure, spread, and impact of COVID-19.

We are also working to create additional appointment times for adult and pediatric patients who can no longer have these critical infusions at the hospital.

Most important: Do not stop taking any biologic medications and talk with your MNGI provider before making any adjustments. If your medications require an infusion, please do not skip these appointments.

 

COVID-19 Questions? Please call the Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline at 651-201-3920 or visit Minnesota Department of Health for more information. For more about the Coronavirus, please visit the CDC Website for more information about COVID-19.

For MNGI Patients: Our providers are asking patients about symptoms such as fever, cough and/or respiratory difficulty and about recent travel in the last month.  Our providers will be using guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to evaluate patients for COVID-19.

IBD patients are encouraged to visit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation website for more information.