03/14/2020
At our office, we understand this is an unsettling and ever-changing time. As the news unfolds surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we extend our sympathy and prayers to those individuals, families and communities affected.
The health and safety of our patients, staff and community is our priority and we continue to monitor the situation and make decisions based on the guidelines set forth by the government and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Health and government agencies have recommended guidelines to proactively slow the spread of COVID-19.
WE WILL REMAIN OPEN.
Our staff will be screening for potentially infected patients prior to scheduled appointments. Those with questionable exposure or who are sick will be rescheduled and recommended to call their primary care physician.
WE ARE WAIVING CANCELLATION FEES.
Normally we have a cancellation policy which includes notification within a timely manner and a fee if no notification within that specified timeframe. We are waiving the cancellation fee through April 12, 2020. This will allow our patients to feel in control of their decision to postpone their office appointment.
UPCOMING SURGERIES.
Dr. Gordon will reach out to each of you individually prior to your surgery date to discuss any questions or concerns. For now, all scheduled surgeries will proceed as planned. The surgical facilities we utilize have worked hard to ensure a safe environment for all who enter. Hospital administrations have assured us they are prepared for all elective surgery.
WE WILL BE IMPLEMENTING TELEHEALTH/TELEMEDICINE.
We have initiated the implementation of telemedicine. This is very exciting! It will allow us to follow-up with certain appointment types remotely. Not only will this decrease the chance of exposure during this critical time because face-to-face will not be required, it will increase access to your orthopedic needs in the future. This is an evolving technology that will certainly become commonplace when appropriate. More of this to come, stay tuned!
LIMIT FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
The older population and people of any age with severe underlying health conditions are at a high risk of developing serious illness with COVID-19. Because a significant percentage of our patient population falls into this high risk category, please come to your appointment alone or with just one family member or friend.
DO YOUR PART.
We will be continuing to perform thorough routine environmental cleaning to help disinfect our office areas. If you are sick, stay home. Please cough and sneeze in the fold of your arm or in a tissue (throw tissue away immediately). Practice good hand hygiene- clean them often with alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol or wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Personally and in our office, we will be following the guidelines established by government agencies. This means there may be temporary changes that can happen with little or no warning. Should changes be necessary, we will be contacting any affected patients as soon as possible.
By working together and making the appropriate conscious choices every day, we can minimize the impact of this pandemic on our local community.
For latest information on COVID-19 visit
www.coronavirus.gov
