COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS
At Maryland Eye & Face, we are on a normal schedule of operation and have safely spaced out our patient appointments throughout the day. We care about You and the communities we serve. While far-reaching state vaccination/booster programs are well underway, and restrictions have been reduced in recent months, we still need to follow important safety guidelines for everyone's well being. Here below are the measures we can together perform to help reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19.
We Are As a Practice:
- Monitoring regularly the guidance and recommended safety measures issued by the CDC, WHO, and other trusted global, national, state and local health organizations, as well as what is happening in our state, region and local communities with the emergence of new variants
- Receiving additional guidance from medical leadership at a number of area hospitals to ensure specific proper safety measures are in place that will reduce the risk of community transmission and protect the safety of our patients, staff, and clinical care partners
- Maintaining physical distancing in our waiting room and clinical care areas, including a wide plexiglass divider at the front check in desk
- Checking patient temperature (screening) before entering clinical area for visit or procedure
- Keeping a hand sanitizer station at the office entrance - all patients are required to use hand sanitizer before entering the clinical area
- Having staff/providers perform proper hand hygiene before, during, and after all patient contact
- Having staff/providers use standard PPE, including surgical or N95 masks, or the equivalent, for every patient encounter
- Cleaning exam rooms between each patient visit, including medical equipment and frequently touched exam room surfaces
- Disinfecting our procedure room between patients and maintaining a separate filtered HVAC system in the procedure room
- Disinfecting any higher-traffic areas frequently throughout the office, including waiting area
- Asking staff and team members who are sick to not report to work, and following current CDC guidelines prior to returning to work
- Requesting that patients who are sick reschedule their appointments and working as a team to make it easy and convenient to reschedule those appointments
- Following CDC guidelines and asking patients about recent international travel when scheduling appointments and at the time of appointments
- Monitoring/minimizing staff and provider travel
- Having our patients obtain COVID-19 testing at an approved facility in advance of surgical procedures - this may vary time to time by facility
What You Can Do:
- Complete your COVID-19 vaccination schedule as soon as possible to protect yourself and others
- Obtain your COVID-19 booster to maximize your protection against newer viral variants
- Complete intake forms in advance online through our health record patient portal to reduce length of your visit - link will be sent to you once appointment is made
- Wear a mask to your visit until check in, and then we will provide you an oral rinse, medical mask, and give you additional instructions
- Avoid bringing family or friends to your visit with you - the building lobby is conveniently located right outside our office entrance, so they are permitted to wait outside the office with mask in public areas or personal vehicle - exceptions may be made for minors or medically necessary assistance
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and periodically use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth and face with unwashed hands for your own protection
- Reschedule your visit if you are feeling sick or exhibiting symptoms that may be COVID - fever, cough, congestion, diarrhea, shortness of breath
- Avoid consuming food or drink during your visit as it would require you to remove your mask