COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT 3/19/2020
We are actively monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and taking every precaution and our three offices remain open. Our patients’, staffs’, and communities health and safety remains our top priority. Our practice is following all CDC, Dept of Health, state and local authorities recommendations to remain open and provide care to those in need both established and new patients.
For now all elective surgeries are being postponed at the local hospitals and surgery centers. Initial estimates are 4-6 weeks and our surgery schedulers and staff will be contacting you with updates if you have a surgery already scheduled.
However, our practice continues to provide hospital coverage being on call, rounding and performing surgeries at many local hospitals. Emergent or urgent surgeries including those done to preserve limb function or if delayed would cause an adverse outcome such as fractures, infections, tendon ruptures/tears, diabetic complications will be still be allowed to proceed in both the hospital and surgery center settings.
In office we will continue to provide minor procedures and see patients. Although we have a high volume podiatric surgery practice we know a lot of non-surgical patients also need close monitoring and we will be available to help.
Our practice extends best wishes for the safety of everyone during this stressful time.
See below for additional information and updates:
Since the beginning of this outbreak our office changed our check in protocol. Prior to your appointment you will be screened regarding CDC recommended questions of illness or potential exposure. If you able to be seen, we ask you call when you arrive in the parking lot of any office as your check in. When your treatment room is ready and has been sterilized the front desk will call you to come in and wash your hands. An assistant will then bring you back to be seen by the doctor. We will take every known measure to decrease patient and staff risk as well as contamination. As always we will use universal precautions for all patients. Appointment time slots are longer for now to limit exposure to other patients and staff.
As we take precautions to limit spread of this virus globally we kindly ask you to limit number of visitors you bring with you to office appointments to 1 person when able.
Throughout the day all staff and doctors are thoroughly washing their hands, disinfecting, cleaning surfaces, and sterilizing. Any staff member who feels ill or has a fever is going home. You may see different staff than you’re accustomed to as an established patient as we are adjusting schedules to limit staff risk.
If you are unsure whether or not you should be seen for your appointment please call the office where you’re scheduled and speak with our staff. The doctors are working daily with the staff to review patient charts and decrease visits for those with risk factors and conditions that can possibly be postponed for a short time.
Canceling your appointment: Please cancel your appointment if you are starting to feel ill or have started coughing regularly or have a fever. There are additional conditions such as the flu and other common colds we want to decrease risk with as well. Additionally, if you have been knowingly exposed to someone with COVID-19, we ask that you wait 14 days after that exposure before attending any appointments. It is important that we all do this to slow the spread of the virus. Please keep in mind, you are at increased risk if you are immunocompromised, elderly or have underlying medical conditions (especially lung disease). If you fall into these categories and do not want to risk leaving your home, please contact our office to reschedule your appointment. There will be no charge or problems with missed or cancelled appointments. Our schedulers will either make an appointment at a later date or put you on a list to call when this issue is resolved.
Recommendations are changing at a quick rate and we will send additional updates as we get them. Stay safe.
Sincerely,
Drs. Thomas, Griffith