HEALTH ALERT
Important Coronavirus Update:
Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19, is a new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. If you develop a fever or cough or have difficulty breathing, or have had close contact with someone who has had a presumed positive or confirmed positive COVID-19 test result, please seek medical attention by calling your provider’s office. For more information regarding the coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
At Denton Cardiology, we are making every effort to avoid inciting unnecessary panic or anxiety among our patients and their families. We are taking every measure to protect them – along with our staff – during this dynamic situation. We are closely monitoring information provided by key government, regulatory and local entities. In the interest of protecting the health and safety of our patients, family, staff and our community, we have implemented the following policies.
Medical services
• Our facility is fully operational. We are taking proactive steps to keep our patients and team members safe while serving the needs of our community. We are actively monitoring and responding to all recommendations made by the CDC and our local regulatory and health authorities.
• We have implemented additional training for all staff on handwashing and hand sanitization, and strict staff compliance with washing/sanitizing hands thoroughly and often.
• We have increased the frequency of the required cleaning and sanitization of our facility, including intake rooms, surfaces and common areas.
Limited Visitation — New Temporary Policy
All routine, in-office, in-person visitation is suspended as of Monday, 3/30/2020. New and existing patients with more urgent or compelling issues may be seen on a case-by-case basis. This option will remain available in an effort to address patient needs in hopes of minimizing over-utilization of our local emergency departments which may increase risk of additional exposure to patients.
Cardiovascular testing will continue. These evaluations are scheduled at specific times slots for patients, with little or no contact with others. These in office services are necessary, as the information obtained from them commonly leads to the appropriate diagnoses and treatment plan for a patient. Appropriate early management of a patient’s symptom or concern frequently allays anxiety which often prompts unnecessary evaluation in the emergency department.
All patients coming into the office will have their temperature obtained prior to entry to minimize risk to all.
Our staff will reach out to you to determine your preferred electronic method (telephone, facetime, google duo) for our telehealth platform.
Prevention
The CDC recommends individuals and families follow everyday preventive measures:
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow. Discard the tissue immediately!
Please note that handkerchiefs do not adequately limit the spread of infection.
• Limit touching your mouth, nose or face with your hands.
• Social distancing of 6 feet or greater with others.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds—especially after using the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60–95% alcohol.
• Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
• Stay home when you are sick with respiratory disease symptoms.
The CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings, like on public and mass transportation, at events and gatherings, and anywhere they will be around other people
Thank you for your cooperation and for being an advocate for the health of your loved ones and all patients in our care.