Keeping You Safe

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As we move into the middle of May and the first Phase of NC’s “Re-Opening,” we wanted to talk about our continuing efforts to keep our patients and staff members safe during this pandemic. Even though the state is beginning its reopening process, we will continue our efforts to reduce exposure risk of COVID-19 in our office. These are the steps we have been taking and will continue to take until the CDC recommends otherwise.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO: 

SCREEN PATIENTS FOR COVID-19 EXPOSURE/SYMPTOMS

All patients are being screened with the following questions. This helps us triage our patients and take extra precautions to avoid having potentially sick individuals in the office.

  1. Have you had any of the following symptoms: fever (99 or greater), cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, new loss of taste or smell, vomiting or diarrhea, and/or sore throat?
  2. Are the symptoms you report above (besides fever) worse than usual–if this is something you usually experience?
  3. In the last 2 weeks: Have you been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19?
  4. In the last 2 weeks, have you or someone you have been in contact with been tested for COVID-19?

We have also instructed staff members to alert us to any of the above symptoms they may be experiencing and any possible exposure to COVID-19. In such instances, staff are asked to quarantine for 14 days or until they receive a negative COVID-19 test. Sick staff members are instructed to stay home.

OFFER PATIENTS THE ABILLITY TO PRE-REGISTER FOR THEIR APPOINTMENT 

Pre registering for your upcoming appointment allows you to avoid time spent in our waiting room/at the check in desk. As long as you pre-register, you will only have to tell the front desk you are here in order to see your doctor.

STRONGLY ENCOURAGE PATIENTS/STAFF TO WEAR MASKS

We will continue to recommend that all patients and people accompanying patients where a face mask/cloth covering to their in-person appointments. Staff members that are within 6 feet of our patients at any given time will also wear masks/cloth face coverings.

CLEAN/SANITIZE FREQUENTLY

Frequently touched areas, like door handles/countertops/check in and out areas will be cleaned by our staff members multiple times a day. Patient rooms and equipment will be sanitized thoroughly between each patient with a CDC approved cleaning product. We will provide hand sanitizer and antibacterial soap in all bathrooms and keep these items fully stocked. Our Practice’s OSHA Safety Officer will continuously make rounds to ensure that these protocols are being followed.

PROVIDE THE OPTION FOR VIRTUAL APPOINTMENTS

We will continue to encourage our patients to use virtual appointments via phone or video as an alternative to coming into the office, whenever possible. Certain appointment types, like EEGs or Injections, cannot be conducted virtually, but for those that can, we recommend having your appointment from the comfort of your home. We will also continue to offer video visits via Doxy.me  at least until the State of Emergency ends.

For those who do come into the office, we have rearranged the seating in our exam rooms and waiting room to avoid close contact (as much as possible). We also understand if a patient would prefer to wait outside rather than in our waiting room to be called for their appointment and will accommodate that request.

For questions, please call us at (828) 210-9300.