05/03/2020
The Texas Medical Board put in place new COVID-19 precautions for face-to-face patient-doctor interactions effective May 1, 2020.
According to the rule, all physicians who care for patients in person must adhere to these minimum standards:
-A mask must be worn by both the patient and physician or the physician's delegate when in proximity of the patient (meaning less than a 6-foot distance between the patient and the physician or the physician's delegate);
-Follow policies the physician, medical and health care practice, or facility has in place regarding COVID-19 screening and testing and/or screening patients;
-Before any encounter, patients must be screened for potential symptoms of COVID-19 or verified previously screened within the last 20 days; and
-Prior to care involving a medical procedure or surgery on the mucous membranes, including the respiratory tract, with a high risk of aerosol transmission, the minimum safety equipment used by a physician or physician's delegate should include N95 masks, or an equivalent protection from aerosolized particles, and face shields.
For patients coming to see Dr. Molina in the clinic, this means you MUST wear a mask. We will perform screening and determine if is appropriate to bring patients into the facility, if the appointment can be done in the patient's car, if the encounter can be done by phone, or if other steps need to be taken.
If you have any questions, please call us at (806)870-1890 Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM or message us on facebook.
See you soon and stay safe and healthy!
-Isabel Molina, MD, Family Medicine