A Note To Our Patients Regarding COVID-19

To our patients,

We are committed to supporting our community and our patients during the emergence of the COVID-19 strain of coronavirus. We wanted to share with our community the actions we at Skin Care Doctors, P.A. are taking to continue to provide outstanding patient care while limiting the continued spread of COVID-19. In order to help minimize the chance of exposure we are implementing some additional procedures before patient arrival, upon arrival, throughout the duration of the patient’s visit, and until the patient’s room is cleaned and disinfected.

1. Prior to arrival for an appointment, while doing reminder calls, our staff will check with each patient to see if he/she has developed any symptoms of a respiratory infection (e.g.,cough, sore throat, shortness of breath and fever). If a patient has symptoms or recent possible exposures or recent travel to areas affected by COVID-19, we will ask the patient to reschedule their visit and instruct them to contact their primary care provider.
2. We will ask patients on arrival if they have had a cough, fever, AND shortness of breath in the last 14 days and if they say “yes” to all (or just to fever), we will give them a mask, reschedule their appointment, and instruct them to contact their primary care provider.
3. If a patient has had any of the COVID-19 resembling symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) but these symptoms are related to seasonal allergies or baseline health issue (i.e. COPD, emphysema, CHF) and  have not recently gotten  worse we will give them a mask to wear during their appt. If they have had a FEVER we will give them a mask, reschedule their appointment, and instruct them to contact their primary care provider.
4. We are waiving cancellation fees for patients who need to cancel their appointments due to illness or social distancing practices, which has been our policy in the past too. If patients think they might be sick with a cold, flu, or seasonal allergies, we ask that they please stay home.
5. Be reassured any Skin Care Doctors staff member exhibiting signs of illness similar to cold, flu, or seasonal allergies, we are asking them not to come to work and have them stay at home.
6. All surfaces at Skin Care Doctors, P.A. offices are and will continue to be cleaned using products recommended by the World Health Organization before and after each use by patients or staff members. These areas include but are not limited to: exam tabletops, clipboards, pens, countertops, exam beds/tables, doorknobs, and exam light buttons/handles.
7. We are trying to maintain social distancing within all of our waiting rooms and exam rooms.

This is a fluid situation and we are monitoring the World Health Organization www.who.int and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov to ensure our prevention measures are up to date with the best available scientific knowledge. Therefore policies and procedures may change or adapt on a daily basis. We will continue to update our staff and community if there are changes to this.

As one additional step to help flatten the curve of COVID-19 we are also including the current best practices from the CDC to slow the spread of the virus.

Take steps to protect yourself

Clean your hands often

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 70% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Take steps to protect others

Stay home if you’re sick

• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.

Cover coughs and sneezes

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 70% alcohol.

Wear a face mask if you are sick

• If you are sick:  You should wear a face mask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a face mask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a face mask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.

• If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a face mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a face mask). Face masks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

Clean and disinfect

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

To disinfect:
Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface.

Options include:

• Diluting your household bleach.
  To make a bleach solution, mix:
  • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
    OR
  • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water