Visitor Policy and Information during COVID-19 Pandemic
Greetings, Healthpointe Guests!
As you are aware by now, the novel coronavirus has accelerated into a full-blown national emergency. All across the globe, world leaders are taking steps to address this pandemic in all aspects of daily life. Between economic boosts, halted rental collections, and mass closings of businesses, many ideas are floating around on how best to deal with the fallout of this dangerous disease.
At Healthpointe, we are dedicated to continuing to provide essential care for the people who are largely responsible for making sure society keeps functioning during this crisis. As long as medical responders, grocery workers, or warehouse employees are continuing to be on the frontlines of this disaster, we have a responsibility to keep treating these people when they get hurt in the line of duty.
That said, we also have an obligation to protect our workers, visitors, and guests. As such, we are enacting some policies at all of our locations to better keep everyone associated with Healthpointe safe, comfortable, and secure. In addition to our efforts of increasing office, waiting room, and exam room cleanings, we ask that you read and adhere to the following guidelines.
- Moving forward, patients are not permitted to bring guests with them to doctor’s appointments. If you are in need of a translator, call your treating office right away to discuss your options. The only exceptions are as follows:
A. Underage patients or the children of patients
B. Patients with special needs - If you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, we advise that you speak to your primary care physician. We are an orthopedic treatment facility- we are not equipped to treat diseases of this nature. If you come to Healthpointe with symptoms of COVID-19, we may refer you to an ER.
- If you are immunocompromised or otherwise feeling ill, please reschedule your appointment to another time. We understand that people who are already sick may be worried about the thought of going to a healthcare facility right now, and we will work with you to better suit your needs.
- No pets allowed (service animals exempt)
- Wash your hands frequently. You are encouraged to wash your hands:
A. When you enter or leave our facilities
B. When you enter or leave an exam room
C. After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
D. Before eating
E. After using the bathroom
We at Healthpointe are monitoring all the updates from the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, as well as local and federal government officials to ensure we are taking all necessary measures to continue prioritizing the safety of patients visiting our clinics, as well as our dedicated staff members who are serving them.
These are just some of the steps we are taking during this Coronavirus crisis. We will continue to monitor the situation daily and adjust accordingly:
- We have enhanced and increased awareness of safety conditions while adhering to the best and most appropriate industry standards for cleaning to ensure our clinics are sanitized. Patient areas of our clinics are sanitized every 1-2 hours during operational hours, again after the clinics close, and in the morning before we open.
- We have instilled social distancing measures through discussions with our patients, as well as many other items per all official guidelines recommended, which include but are not limited to:
A. A policy that only allows treating patients inside the clinic. If a patient arrives with a guest, we are asking that the guest(s) wait in their car.
B. Allowing no more than 5-10 patients in our reception area at any given time depending upon the size of the reception area. We have eliminated any other areas for patients to congregate to allow for proper social distancing. If additional patients arrive, we will confirm their cell number and ask them to please wait in their car until we call them in. All patients have the option of waiting in their car rather than the reception area once they let us know they have arrived, either in person or by phone.
C. All clinics will have easy-to-follow directions posted on the front door instructing visitors what to do if they are sick.
D. We have a specialized screening room for patients with pre-determined risk factors. These risk factors are established before any patient is allowed to enter the clinic.
E. Hand sanitizers and/or sanitizing wipes are available to our patients in our reception areas and throughout our clinics.
F. We are utilizing gloves and/masks as appropriate.
The decision to enact these policies does not come lightly. As healthcare providers, we are very concerned at the thought of people going without their vital treatment due to fear surrounding COVID-19. As such, we ask that visitors please follow these policies out of consideration for those continuing to receive treatment, and for those doing the actual treating.
Thank you for your compliance and support as we carry on with making sure the people who are keeping our stores stocked and our streets clean are well cared for during this difficult time. We look forward to maintaining our high standard of quality patient care well beyond this crisis.
Stay safe,
Healthpointe