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To consider:
- After-hours clinic: what is expected, how to manage, consider an answering service to allow patients to be distanced appropriately if brought into office.
- AHCs: Consider doing your AHC virtually with the option of bringing patients into the office if a virtual visit suggests that a physical exam is required.
- Allergy shots: how will you manage these safely, allowing time within the office post-injection where patient is physically distanced from others?
- Equipment turnover: need dedicated equipment for COVID-suspect patients
- Staffing: how many staff do you need in the office?
Physical Office set-up
General
- If safe/private to do so, leave doors open to avoid repeated door knob contact.
- “Common areas” used by multiple physicians/staff – i.e. lab, storage rooms, procedure rooms, weigh scales, etc.
- Limiting the number of different individuals that use these areas (i.e., dedicated staff for lab?)
- Disinfecting these areas, etc.
- Keep rooms “bare” – keep surfaces clear of equipment other than computer monitor
- More general tips in this OCFP document
Exam Rooms
- Keep rooms “bare” – keep surfaces clear of equipment other than computer monitor
- Anticipate what you will need for the visit and bring into exam room with you (i.e., tongue depressors, reflex hammers, swabs, etc.)
Reception Area
- Plexiglass barrier: contact installers in your local area
- Health cards: don’t take health cards. Validate online or visual check of version code without handling card
- Install visual cues to maintain physical distancing – until we receive more direct advice for health care offices, here are some ideas from the business sector:
Waiting Room
- Chairs: space chairs by 2 metres, consider vinyl/plastic for wiping
- Remove toys, magazines, remote controls, etc.
- Provide visual cues to maintain social distancing (to come)
- Have available: tissues, alcohol-based hand rub and a waste basket
Reducing time in office
- Pre-visit questionnaires/calls to reduce time in office (if you use Ocean, consider questionnaire forms emailed to patient prior to visit)
- Virtual visit (e.g., phone call) the day before to ask prenatal/well baby or other history questions
Active screening as patients arrive in office
Patient messaging – in office
- If waiting in car: call them to tell them when ready for them to come in, message through computer to text them (if this feature is available to you), , or use restaurant-style buzzer system
- Upon arrival: all patients use hand sanitizer and apply a mask if they do not have their own non-medical mask
Signage
Financial transactions
- Encourage clients to pay with tap where possible to limit need to handle money, limit need to touch Interac machines
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