04 May Our New Safety Protocols to Prevent Virus Spread

We are as eager to get back to normal as you are! However, we also need to do our best to protect you and our eye-care team during these trying times. We have always taken steps to sanitize patient areas, reduce contact with sick people, and provide comfortable distances for people.

Under the current circumstances, when we are all doing our part to reduce the spread of a dangerous virus, we are taking extra precautions:

• When you call to schedule and also when you arrive for your appointment, we may ask you more questions than we usually do.
• Please let us know if you have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.
• Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 include: fever, dry or productive cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle aches or muscle 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 to virus “hot spots,” and contact with sick individuals.
• We also need to know if you have been tested for the COVID-19 virus and what your test results were. Equally important is to know if you have been in close contact with someone who has been tested recently.
• Seek medical attention immediately if you have severe symptoms including:
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest.
  • New confusion or inability to wake up/arouse.
  • Bluish lips or face.

• If you are suffering from an eye-related emergency, contact us immediately. We may screen emergencies a little more closely in order to limit the number of people in the office at one time.
• Interpreters and caregivers are always welcome, but please limit the number of people who come inside our office with you. By minimizing the number of people in our office space, we can keep a safe distance between people to help reduce the risk of spread.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a significant component, but it’s only one part of the system that protects staff and other patients from cross-infection. Please feel free to bring and wear your own protection, such as masks and gloves.
• While in our facility, please maintain a safe distance of at least 6 feet between you and others and avoid touching surfaces and avoid touching your face.
• We check our eye care team each day for high temperature and other symptoms of the coronavirus. They are also taking extra precautions to keep their areas and themselves clean and sanitized. They may wear some forms of PPE during your exam.

All of this information and extra precautions help us serve you and others better.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we carefully return to work. We look forward to seeing you in our offices again soon!