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17-May / 0 COMMENTS
Friends,
I am writing to let you know that I am preparing to – very carefully – reopen in the next couple of weeks.
This message is long and necessary to let you know how I will comply with the requirements as dictated by guidance from our state and national organizations.
As a health-care office, we are permitted to function as an essential business under the current regulations, and we are taking all necessary measures to prevent infection on our premises.
As required, I have certified to the Maryland Department of Health that all the following measures are in place as of 05/26/2020:
As a Licensed healthcare provider, I shall exercise independent professional judgment in determining what procedures are appropriate to perform, which appointments should occur, and which patients to see in light of widespread COVID-19 community transmission.
As licensed healthcare provider resuming elective and non-urgent medical procedures, I have at least one week’s supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for myself, and as appropriate, for patients.
I will strictly maintain social distancing requirements in all settings where people must wait in order to minimize direct contact between individuals within the healthcare setting and use of non-traditional alternatives will be encouraged (e.g., call ahead registration; waiting in a car until called).
I will screen all patients for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival for visit. I must and will stay home if I am experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
As a healthcare facility and healthcare provider, I am required and have implemented enhanced workplace infection control measures in accordance with the most current CDC guidelines.
We have instituted the following to be compliant with the above:
We will see only one patient at a time, in only one of our treatment rooms, during limited hours.
We will allow 30 minutes between patients so that no one will cross paths in the waiting room or doorway while we clean and disinfect high touch surfaces, e.g., light switches, doorknobs, walls and desktops.
We will limit new patients to one time slot per week.
When a patient arrives for appointment, we will lock the door to the outside to minimize the possibility of interruption by unknown individuals (delivery people, etc.).
We will screen for active symptoms, fever, cough, muscle soreness, before every appointment and document.
We will be wearing a face mask at all times. We are not required to use it, but will have available single-use gloves as needed.
We have removed all blankets from treatment rooms; they will not be available for use.
Upholstered chairs will be removed from the treatment rooms and replaced with chairs that can be wiped down with disinfectant.
Hand sanitizer and Kleenex tissues will be available in the treatment room for proper hygiene in case of a sneeze or cough.
A non-touch waste basket will be available for discarding used tissues.
If you make and keep an in-person appointment, you agree to the following:
You will confirm via a telephone call with me a day before your appointment that you are not experiencing symptoms that maybe related to Covid19, e.g., chills, fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste, unexplained fatigue, muscle pain.
Upon arriving at the clinic, you will confirm again that you are not experiencing symptoms that maybe related to Covid19, e.g., chills, fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste, unexplained fatigue, muscle pain.
You agree to allow the use of the contactless thermometer to check your temperature and that if your temperature registers at 100.4 degrees or higher, we will not proceed with the appointment.
If you are experiencing any symptoms listed above, we will not proceed with your appointment.
Before entry into the clinic, we will check to see that you are donning your face mask. If you forgot to bring your own, one will be provided for you.
You agree to comply with the requirement to use the face mask the entire time while you are at the clinic.
You will sanitize your hands with the hand sanitizer at the front or to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds in the hand washing station, in the bathroom or the kitchen.
You will then be ushered to your treatment space which you will find open so that you need not touch the doorknob.
You agree to use proper cough or sneeze hygiene and use the Kleenex as needed which will be promptly disposed in the touchless waste container.
You agree to hold Elaine Warren, L. Ac. DBA Elaine Warren, L. Ac. blameless in the case of any viral transmissions traced to our office.
Thank you for your patience and trust in me as I reopen our office. We will keep ourselves informed daily of the latest regulations and guidance regarding safely practicing acupuncture, and make changes as needed.
I will follow up shortly with a date to announce our reopen. Until then, you can find me at the other end of your phone or screen. I am here for you.
P.S. Telemedicine continues to be an effective and the safest option
As a reminder, telemedicine is the safest option for most patients during this time, especially those who are considered part of the at-risk population to COVID-19.
Telemedicine is the ONLY option if:
