FACE MASK REQUIRED

(March 21, 2022)
As of Monday, March 21, 2022, we will be updating our mask policy for patients. Masks are now encouraged, but not required for patients that come to our offices. All staff will still wear masks until further notice.

(July 15, 2020)
In addition to our other COVID-19 policies, customers are required to wear masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our business and community. If you are unable to wear a mask, please ask for other accommodations. Thank you for your cooperation. 

Volunteer Eyecare COVID-19 Response

(April 27, 2020)
Volunteer Eyecare considers the health, safety, and well-being of our patients, team members, and communities to be our top priority.

We understand the concern and uncertainty that our patients may be experiencing surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are committed to being responsive to the needs of our patients and employees as the situation evolves.

Based on current guidance from Governor Bill Lee, CDC and The American Optometric Association and our own standards and practices, we have adapted the following schedule to provide exceptional patient care experiences.

Until May 1st: Reduced Office Hours 11am – 3pm
Essential/Urgent care only

Beginning May 4th: Normal Business Hours.
Routine eye exams available.

Volunteer Eyecare Screening Protocols for Staff and Patients:

1. We will screen patients, visitors and staff members for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to and/or upon their arrival at the facility, including utilizing non-contact temperature readers. (NOTE: Temperature alone does not assess or exclude disease.) The CDC defines a fever as a temperature at or above 100.4°F.
2. We will ask and have you sign a form upon arrival to our practice that confirms the following: For the safety of all and to help stop the spread of COVID-19, please tell us if you have, or recently had, a fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle aches or pain, dizziness, confusion, headache, sore throat, lack of appetite, airway bleeding, runny nose, chest pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, loss of sense of smell, presence of conjunctivitis, recent travel, and/or contact with sick individuals.
3. If patients or staff report or appear ill, we will recommend that they consult and/or seek medical care from their primary care physician (PCP) the same day.
4. We will ask that you tell us about recent COVID-19 test results obtained for yourself or close contacts.
5. Patients or staff should consult their PCP first unless they are experiencing emergency warning signs. If they develop any emergency warning signs for COVID-19 they should seek medical attention immediately:
   a. Trouble breathing.
   b. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest.
   c. New confusion or inability to arouse.
   d. Bluish lips or face.
6. Any staff member showing signs of being sick will not be permitted to work.
7. Patients and visitors exhibiting signs of being sick will be rescheduled, unless an emergency dictates otherwise, and referred to their PCP.
8. We will outline workload plans for staff so as to prepare for cleaning and sanitizing, while safely keeping up with patient flow as best as possible.
   a. We are preparing our office space and clinical areas based on suggested guidelines for cleaning and sanitizing the medical office and dispensary, and how long this process may take.
   b.We have a plan and process to sterilize all equipment and materials, including frames, with the best available disinfectant (best is diluted bleach solution or alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol). We currently use Cavicide but will go to diluted bleach if we run out of Cavicide.
   c. We will ensure HVAC filters are high-quality, pathogen-attractive, fresh and exchanged regularly. We will make the air exchange rate higher if possible.
9. For the first two weeks, our strategy for our practices will be to manage patient flow and ensure appropriate physical distancing, including, but not limited to:
   a. Scheduling routine visits every hour instead of our normal every 30 minutes.
   b. Requesting patients call or text the office upon arrival so entrance to and movement through the facility can be coordinated by staff.
   c. Instructing patients that companions should remain outside of the facility and not accompany the patient into the facility unless they are a parent/guardian of the patient or if they are a true caregiver and need to assist the patient.
   d. Establishing a longer timeframe in between patient appointments for at least 2 weeks.
   e. Requesting all patients and companions in the building to please bring and wear a cloth or disposable mask at all times.
   f. While in the facility, please maintain a safe distance between you and others of at least six feet and avoid touching surfaces and your face.
   g. At check-in, patients will receive a sterilized pen and sterilized clipboard to complete paperwork.
   h. Contact lens patients will receive a sterile, unopened bottle of solution and a case for their personal use in the office. They may take this bottle and case home.
   i. We will disinfect all frames in our optical after being touched.
   j. We have temporarily removed all books, magazines, and refreshments from our waiting area.

We will be updating you and our staff as new details become available. If you have questions or concerns about this information, please reach out to us.

We will deliver both routine and emergency eye services to our patients in the safest way possible in the coming days, weeks and months and will continue to monitor this ever-evolving situation. Thank you for your understanding, help, and cooperation!

Sincerely,
Volunteer Eyecare Team

COVID-19 Keeping Our Patients Healthy

(March 24, 2020)
Our patients may have concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) so we want to let you know what we are doing, as well as the extra precautions we are taking to keep everyone healthy as you visit our offices.

• Our locations are open but in accordance with CDC recommendations, we have limited services to non-routine, emergency and essential services.  We are asking all patients in the high-risk category to reschedule their visit.

• Monitoring daily updates and recommendations from the CDC as well as the American Optometric Association

• Educating our staff and discussing prevention measures we can take each day

• Increasing frequency of cleaning and disinfecting heavy-use patient areas
• Ensuring any employees displaying symptoms of illness do not come to work

• Continuing our practice of cleaning our instruments in front of our patients in our pretesting, testing and exam rooms.

• To comply with the CDC’s social distancing guidelines, we would appreciate if only the patient being seen that day comes inside for treatment, unless they require being accompanied by a caregiver or guardian. 

• If you prefer to limit your exposure to other patients, you are welcome to wait in your car after signing in, and we will text or call you when it is time for your exam to start.

• We are happy to bring products like eyeglasses and contact lenses to your car so that you do not have to come inside.  Simply call the location and we can make arrangements.

• If you have an upcoming appointment with our office and are experiencing fever, cough, flu or coronavirus like symptoms, we respectfully ask that you stay home and be well.  Please call and notify our staff and we will be happy to reschedule your appointment.

• If you have traveled outside of the US or have been in contact with someone who has in the past 14 days, please notify about this as well.  We want to make every effort to reduce the risk of sickness for our patients and staff.

At Volunteer Eyecare we are focused not only on good vision and eye health but also on keeping you safe and healthy.  We will continue to closely monitor this situation and make the decisions necessary for the health and safety of our patients and staff as COVID-19 progresses.