When a patient arrives for their appointment, we will:
- Limit points of entry to the clinic
- Leave the office door open to avoid contact with door handles
- Post visual alerts (e.g., signs and posters) at the entry, advising patients of the COVID-19 risk and advising them not to enter the facility when ill
- Provide supplies such as alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) with 60-95% alcohol, tissues and no-touch receptacles for disposal at the office entrance, in waiting rooms and at the front desk
- Post photos at the entrance and in waiting room to provide patients and healthcare personnel with instructions about hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, how and when to perform hand hygiene and how to use tissues or elbows to cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
Patients will be:
- Immediately escorted to a hand-washing station
- Asked to rinse with 1% hydrogen peroxide before each appointment
- Escorted into an examination room as quickly as possible upon arrival to avoid lingering in the front office
- Asked about the presence of symptoms of a respiratory infection, history of travel and contact with possible COVID-19 patients
- Assessed for respiratory symptoms and fever (with a non-contact digital infrared forehead thermometer) If fever temperature of 100.2 degrees F or higher or respiratory symptoms are present, they will be advised to seek medical treatment and their visit will be rescheduled
As testing for the virus becomes more available, we will be incorporating this added benefit to screen patients.
