Clinic Update Posted - 3/27/2020
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to sweep across the nation we want to keep you informed as to what’s happening in our clinic.
We continue to keep our doors open and adapt as new data comes to light. Our goal is to remain accessible to our patients while keeping everyone healthy. It is our hope that these unprecedented times will lead to even stronger relationships between our patients and the clinic.
How are we keeping patients safe?
We continue to develop increased safety precautions for staff and patients entering the clinic using the CDC’s Hierarchy of Controls. We have leveraged virtual visits as a way to better assess at risk patients. This allows us to provide the same quality of care while minimizing exposure in clinic. We will continue to utilize car visits for diagnostic services and pertinent testing. For certain office visits, we have implemented direct rooming to reduce the contamination of the waiting area and have specified specific exam rooms that will only be used for sick visits.
We have also rearranged our waiting room furniture to coincide with the CDC’s recommendations for social distancing 😊. At this time, we will not be accepting co-pays or payments within the office. We can take credit cards over the phone or you can make payments easily online through guest pay, your patient portal or by mail.
How are we keeping clinic staff safe?
At the beginning of each day staff are required to record a normal temperature. Different forms of masks and gloves are available but in short supply. When appropriate, masks and gloves will be required for the safety of everyone.
We are in the process of distancing ourselves within the clinic to decrease the spread of COVID-19 from outside sources that we ourselves are encountering away from the clinic. If for any reason we feel that a staff member is unsafe, or feels unwell, they will be sent home accordingly.
What kind of care can I expect?
Virtual visits have taken flight and we’re refining the process every day. If you have an upcoming telehealth visit, the best way to access the waiting room is through our website under the virtual waiting room tab. We want to thank everyone who’s had a telehealth visit so far and excuse us for any technical difficulties. We encourage anyone that has a visit to pre-test their connection prior to their appointment. Most insurances are being lenient to cover these services for a brief period time.
Since a physical exam cannot be done virtually, it is still valuable to see patients within the clinic. Patients should call to schedule their appointments based on their needs and comfort level. When sick and in communication with us, it is imperative to be transparent about your symptoms so we can provide care accordingly. Our policies are only effective when we have accurate information.
We Are Here for You!
As said before, our main goal is to keep healthy patients healthy and effectively treat those who need care. We will do everything reasonably possible to continue to serve our patients. We feel strongly that the most likely place for you to contract COVID-19 is within the community and not the clinic. We are excited to work collectively with our patients to take on these challenges affecting our community and nation.