August 2021 Covid Update

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AUGUST/2021

COVID-19 Update — 08.13.21

Trust us— we're as tired of the pandemic restrictions & healthcare protocol changes as you are!

We miss seeing your faces and hate not being able to welcome loved ones to your appointments. However, the new guidelines released by the CDC that have lessened restrictions for the public do not apply to us as a healthcare facility. Our visitor/guest policy hasn't changed since the start of the pandemic and we want to remind you that we must remain diligent in protecting our patients, many of whom are high risk with underlying health conditions. The health and safety of our patients, providers, and staff is always our #1 priority.


Our COVID-19 Policy:

»  All patients having Mohs surgery will call the office from their car when they arrive. Check-in will be done over the phone and then a staff member will come get you once your surgical room is ready.
• Check-ins are done in our parking lot, over the phone.
• Temperature checks and screening questions for COVID-19 for all staff.
• Temperature check and screening questions for COVID-19 for all patients.
• Monitoring and cleaning of the bathrooms.
• Extreme and thorough cleaning of rooms between each patient.
• All staff wear a mask throughout the entire day.
• Patients are asked to bring their own mask to wear. If they do not have one, a mask will be provided.
• Patients are allowed to have one person with them only if they need assistance and prior approval has been made, otherwise the patient is to come alone. These people will also be screened using the same screening criteria we use for the patient.
• Mohs patients are asked to have their driver drop them off and pick them up when their surgery is done.
• The nurse goes to the front desk to schedule the patient's follow up appt and print their discharge instructions while the patient remains in the room. Once the patient is ready to go, the nurse walks them to the front door.


Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Why can’t my family member come in with me to my appointment— especially when we live together?
A: While it’s true that the risk of contracting COVID-19 is minimized when a family limits their interactions with non-family members. The risk is not completely eliminated. Studies show that at least 40 to 50% of people who test positive for COVID-19 have no symptoms at all. Our goal is to protect our patients, providers, and staff by limiting the number of people in our office. 

Q: Why can’t my family come in with me to my appointment since they’ve had the COVID-19 vaccine and why do I still need to wear a mask if I’ve had the vaccine?
A: While experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions, it will be important for everyone to continue using all the tools available to us to help stop this pandemic, like covering your mouth and nose with a mask, washing hands often, and staying at least 6 feet away from others. Together, COVID-19 vaccinations and continuing to following CDC guidelines will offer the best protection from getting and spreading COVID-19. Experts need to understand more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide before deciding to change recommendations on steps everyone should take to slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Other factors, including how many people get vaccinated and how the virus is spreading in communities, will also affect this decision. It’s important to note the vaccine is not 100% effective. There are also new variants of the virus that may or may not evade the vaccine.

We appreciate your understanding of, and adherence to, our COVID-19 policy. We hope that with the COVID-19 vaccines and the growing herd immunity we will once again be able to see your smiling faces in the not-too-distant future.

The Staff at Skin Surgery Center of Virginia




 

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