(Coronavirus) COVID-19 Latest Information 05/13/2020
The most important things we want you to know are:
- For the safety of our staff and patients, next week we will begin to see a LIMITED number of NON-sick patients in the office, when recommended by your physician. (See New Normal Step 1 section below)
- Our primary form of visits will continue to be over the PHONE or via video chat. Please be patient as we begin to safely transition back to "new" normal office operations.
- If you are due for lab work, our doctors encourage you to consider having those labs drawn at LabTech until our clinic is fully re-opened.
- We will continue to operate with our office door locked. Our staff will still work normal office hours to address ongoing needs and prescription refills.
- If you are sick or have a medical problem please reach out to your doctor to establish the best plan of care for you.
- We encourage you to continue social distancing, hand washing, surface cleaning, and wearing a mask.
- Wearing a mask prevents you from spreading germs/COVID-19 even if you aren't sick. The mask protects others as much as it protects you.
New Normal Step 1: Non-Sick Patients
Continuing Phone Care:
Telephone medicine has been very popular and well received by our patients. We will continue to provide the majority of our patient care via text/phone/email if that is determined to be the best plan of care for you.
In Office Visits:
When your doctor recommends an in person visit, we will see ONE patient at a time in the office to limit exposure. There will be time blocked between each visit to sanitize and prepare for the next patient.
Patient Guidelines for In Office Visits:
- Stay in your vehicle and call us from the parking lot.
- Answer screening questions over the phone.
- Temperature will be checked at the front door.
- You will be taken directly to the exam room.
- A mask must be worn the entire visit (we will provide one if needed).
- Only one patient at a time in the exam room, if anyone brings you to the appointment they will stay in the parking lot.
For everyone's safety, staff will wear masks and gloves will be used during patient contact.
COVID-19 Tests
If you are symptomatic and your doctor feels you need to be tested for COVID-19, we now have local resources available. This test must be ordered by your doctor and scheduled ahead of time. You will remain in your car and results come back to your doctor within 24 - 48 hours.
Please be sure to speak directly with your doctor to determine if testing is right for you.
Information Below is Duplicated from Last Week's Email
When You Go Out
Recommendations are:
Wear a cloth mask
Continue to socially distance 6 feet from others
Sanitize or wash your hands frequently
As stores reopen it's reasonable to consider the following as you venture out:
stores you visit should limit number of customers
use hand sanitizer before entry and upon exit
everyone should wear a mask (including employees)
social distance 6 feet everywhere inside
when able, choose curbside pickup or home delivery
We still encourage you to make safe decisions when going out and being around others.
High Risk Individuals
As stores/restaurants continue to reopen, we must continue to protect high risk individuals.
We encourage you to check on high risk individuals, but refrain from visiting or coming in close contact with them.
Patients 60 and over, as well as patients of any age with severe chronic medical problems, are at the highest risk for severe cases and death from Coronavirus.
Anyone considered high risk should continue to stay home and let us know right away if you get sick.
Curbside Prescription Pick Up
Remember we are doing curbside prescription pick up.
Once you have been informed your refill is ready, we ask that you call us from the parking lot at 864-965-9150. *PLEASE STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE* Mind the cones and we will bring your prescriptions out to the table.
*Check that all meds are correct and have your name on them.*
These precautions are for your safety and to limit the spread of COVID-19.
"If I have COVID-19 symptoms what should I do?"If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough or shortness of breath) and may have been exposed to someone with the illness, please call/text your doctor and STAY HOME.
Contacting us ahead of time will make sure you get the care you need without putting others at risk.
Please get information only from reliable sources!
We continue to see a lot of really misleading and factually incorrect information circulating. Please fact check before believing what you read or sharing/forwarding to others unless it comes from a reliable source.