COVID-19 Update

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COVID-19 Preparedness & Prevention Plan

Patient screening before and on arrival to the clinic
- Any recent travel outside of South Carolina
- Any of the following symptoms: fever, chills, shortness of breath, the recent loss of taste or smell, fatigue, muscle/body aches
- If positive, the patient should be provided a mask immediately and asked to report to a local testing center
Consider rescheduling non-urgent appointments or use telemedicine
Temperature checks on all patients
Known patient with recent exposure to COVID-19 should not be seen in the office and arrangements for telemedicine should be made
Consider telemedicine visits on any patients actively going through chemo since they are immunocompromised

Reorganize waiting areas to keep patients a minimum of 6 feet away from others and/or have high risk patients wait in the car
Provide alcohol-based hand rub and/or soap in all reception, waiting, patient care, and restroom areas
Discontinue the use of toys, magazines, and other shared items in waiting areas, as well as office items shared among patients, such as pens, clipboards, phones, etc. (or thoroughly clean between patient use)
Limit non-patient visitors
Allow patients to wait outside or in the car if they are medically able

Remove all magazines and artificial plants from exam rooms
Remove pillows from exam rooms and only bring out if needed
Clean stethoscopes, thermometers, and other equipment between patient uses. This equipment should be cleaned with appropriate cleaning solutions for each patient. Consider the use of disposable equipment when possible
Clean room and ALL medical equipment completely with appropriate cleaning solutions
Wear face mask or N95 mask during all patient encounters
No hugging or shaking hands with patients
We should wash hands or use hand sanitizer between every patient
Use PPE such as gloves with all patient care

Consider and plan for providing more telemedicine appointments
Space patients out with 30 min appointments to allow for proper cleaning and sanitizing of room and equipment
Assess and restock supplies on a regular schedule

Patients with recent or known exposure of COVID-19 require pre-op testing and a negative outcome to proceed with surgery
Visitors are limited to one per patient