COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Safety Information for Our Office
March 17, 2020
With the recent developments of COVID-19 infection, we have taken steps to help protect our patients and our staff as we continue to provide care.
Prior to your appointment:
If a patient or their close contact has had any respiratory symptoms (sneezing, coughing, fever) within the past two weeks, we will ask that they reschedule their appointment. We will be asking these questions to all of our patients and visitors. We ask visitors in the clinic to be kept to a minimum unless absolutely necessary.
There will be no fees or penalties for any cancellations or rescheduling of appointments.
What to expect at our clinic:
Upon arrival at the clinic, patients, visitors, and staff will have temperature checks and/or screening for any symptoms. Anyone who has a fever, or any symptoms, will be asked to reschedule. There will be hand sanitizer available and will ask patients to use it.
Physicians and staff may be wearing masks during this time to minimize the chance of spread.
We will continue the use of hospital-strength disinfectants, increase the frequency of wiping down all common surfaces, and continue to sanitize our hands before and after each patient.
How you can help:
- Stay home when sick.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover the mouth and nose with the inside of the elbow when sneezing or coughing.
- Wash hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing the nose.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects such as doorknobs, keyboards, desks, phones, toilets, faucets, sinks.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick and avoid social gatherings of greater than 10 people.
- Put distance between yourself and other people.
What we will do:
We are closely monitoring updates from the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and state and local public health organizations regarding COVID-19. We will continue to seek guidance from these agencies and public health officials, and we will update you as new information becomes available. As always, we will continue to use universal precautions and follow strict sterilization techniques.
Please know that everyone's health is very important to us. Prevention is key. We will continue to send updates should anything change. Together we can limit the spread of this virus.
Sincerely,
The Greater Austin Pain Center team
