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
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:
Make all aisles one-way with clear waymarks on the ground noting the flow of traffic, and use street traffic signs (do not enter, yield, one-way) to facilitate, as they’re already familiar to people in other contexts
Tape simple guides on the floor throughout the office to help people space by at least six feet throughout their time in the office.
By reception, create physical cues on the floor and at the reception window to tell patients to wait six feet from the window until it’s their turn.
Place or paint a picture of feet near where you want patients to be/stand while they’re waiting for reception/ other staff.
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
