We Cannot Let Our Guard Down With COVID-19!

I am sure most of you have seen and or heard that COVID-19 is on the rise and we must not let our guard down. We cannot emphasize enough that everyone inside and outside of the office adheres to the CDC guideline. More and more people are getting infected by starting to socialize and letting their guard down.

Wear cloth face coverings in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. We cannot emphasize enough to be responsible when outside of the office following CDC guidelines.

Today’s statistics speak loud and clear that this is with us and we, must adhere and treat everyone we come into contact with as being positive! Below are the counties we serve and the number of cases and growing!

Broward County = 21,516, Dade County, 48,423, Palm Beach County, 17,082, and Duval County 9,366

Reminders

• The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person, specifically between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
• Masks should be worn at all times in the office. It is not recommended that cloth, homemade masks should be worn by healthcare workers.

How we ensure safety in the office

1. The office staff must document that all exam tables, countertops, doorknobs, exam lights, and light switches have been wiped down using 70% ethyl alcohol or other approved disinfectant (CDC list) to disinfect small areas and a sodium hypochlorite (bleach) product for disinfecting surfaces. Be careful to not overspray light switches and other electrical connections to minimize the risk of short-circuiting anything. Also do not spray any “hot” halogen, incandescent lights if they have not had to me to cool down.
2. Remove magazines from the waiting areas
3. Remove all brochures from the patient rooms and keep a central location to minimize the number of people who touch them.
4. Remove and space out waiting room chairs. (Chair should be sanitized between patients).
5. Place additional hand sanitizers and wipes throughout the office, so it is accessible to all staff and patients. Office managers should observe all staff to be sure these are used appropriately.
6. Take a full inventory of PPE for the office. Contact Darlene should you have any issues obtaining supplies.
7. All office staff, clinical and back office needs to be questioned about health and potential exposure. If an employee has an emergent situation, the provider should be consulted and document the interaction with HR and communication placed in the employee file.

Capacity Requirements

Patients waiting for their appointment should be in a room, distanced in the waiting room, or waiting outside in their cars.

Drug representatives as well as any salesperson, should NOT be seen in the office, be creative and work with FaceTime or skype or zoon. Deliveries at the curb.

Be Safe! Be Smart!