Coronavirus (COVID-19) Limit Possible Exposures
Screening patients prior to arrive helps to minimize possible exposures. Staff should contact patients prior to arrive and ask the following screening questions:
Have you traveled to internationally or been on a cruise recently? (Use the CDC list of Level 3 countries to reference, any patient with recent travel to these countries should be postponed for at least 14 days https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html)
Have you had contact with a person who has been diagnosed with Coronavirus or told to self-quarantine?
Do you have a fever?
Do you have a cough?
Do you have shortness of breath?
Patient should be instructed to reschedule their appointments if they are feeling sick or have had a recent exposure. When patients arrive take their temperature immediately. If they have a fever provide a mask and isolate them from other patients. Limiting the number of patients in your waiting room reduces possible exposures. You can put signs on waiting room chairs to visually identify six feet apart for patients and visitors.