DO THIS BEFORE YOU START TAKING PHOTOS
I. Photo Requirements and Limits
A. The only way to get photos you have taken on your own to us is via attachment to Patient Portal . Photos are submitted through patient portal, and accepted only with a completed registration (appt, consents, insurance or self pay information, financial information, contact information and demographics, care team and any other specialized paperwork required for your health care features. Successful photo submission will go to email address you've listed within 2 business days (see below for same day evaluations).
B. Same day evaluation is not appropriate for emergency - for which you should dial 911 immediately
C. Minimum specifications for patient portal are: x yz. and up to x photos with x mp limit are available per each patient portal submission.
II. Familiarize with Key Terms
Familiarizing yourself with key terms (rash, lesion, viewpoints) - another outside source is dermpics.com.
III. Plan Ahead
A. PHOTO DEADLINE: 48 BUSINESS HOURS PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT. Prompt submission, or postponing the appointment if submitting late, prevents a great deal of unnecessary labor.
B. Recruit Photo Helpers: Aid in taking photos and handling other technical items – photos are almost universally better or done more quickly with a photo helper.
VI. General Photo Guidelines
- ALL OUT-OF-FOCUS PHOTOS ARE UNUSABLE: Test your close-up detailed photos – you should be able to see or zoom in and see sharply and without any blurriness, individual skin crinkles, orifices for hairs, and edges of pigmented lesions. If not, please retake.
- NO flash, NO DIRECT bright light, YES to INDIRECT light: Photos taken outside on a bright sunny day work well. YES to finding a photo helper. YES to using your BEST camera. YES to capturing the newest parts and edges of your rashes and lesions.
- UNAMBIGUOUSLY IDENTIFY SKIN CONCERNS: Labeling will be used as a reference to guide vital medical decisions, surgeries, and insurance claims.➔ Label skin concerns either directly (A, B, or C etc.) on the body or by annotating the photo.