CSP Team Note: This post was originally published on Novant Health’s Healthy Headlines. We thank them for allowing us to share it with you. To subscribe to Novant Health’s Healthy Headlines newsletter, click here. Click here to find a physician. Novant Health is also offering a self-guided assessment tool to help patients determine if they should seek care for COVID-19. (Note: This assessment is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be used if patients are experiencing a life-threatening emergency.)
Navigating COVID: Our New Normal.
Editor’s note: As businesses, churches and other activities resume, we’re sure you have questions. When and how to wear a mask? What should you expect when you pop into a store or head to the park? Is it safe to get back to the life you knew? As services come back, we’re asking our doctors and other providers to help answer those questions in a series called Navigating COVID: Our New Normal. You’ll find those stories, and many others, here. Got a question? Email healthyheadlines@novanthealth.org
To deliver the care you expect – and deserve – Novant Health has adjusted practices and protocols to maximize patient safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are the “do’s and don’ts” of what to expect in our clinics and medical centers as we care for our communities.
Extra steps to ensure your safety
Do consider virtual care as a good first option – even for specialty care needs. Did you know you can schedule video visits with your provider? They can see into your eyes, ears and throat with our TytoHome device.
Do expect to see enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of rooms and facilities. We’re building in time between patient visits to ensure this is being done thoroughly.
Do bring reading material. We’re eliminating items like magazines because they can’t be cleaned. But you’ll be able to access your favorite social media, news or blog sites using our free Wi-Fi.
Do see a doctor or come to an emergency room if you need immediate help. Hospitals and doctor’s offices are safe. Ignoring heart pain and stroke symptoms is dangerous. Every second matters when you have heart attack or stroke symptoms.
Do get comfortable with the idea of electronic everything. E-check-ins as well as e-checkout summaries will replace the need for passing around clipboards, pens and paper.
We’ve made a lot of changes
Don’t expect to bring visitors with you to your clinic appointment. If you feel that you need one, please call ahead to discuss it. In most cases, visitors are not allowed at hospitals. Mothers who are delivering may have one visitor, and there are a few other exceptions.
Don’t be surprised if a provider in your doctor’s office sees you … in your car, when or where it makes sense. There may be times when we may come to you in the parking lot for a visit.
Don’t be alarmed when you get screened. Everyone is getting a temperature check, including our team members prior to their shift.
Don’t forget your mask. Please bring one with you, if you can. If you don’t have one, we’ll provide one. All Novant Health team members are also wearing masks.
Don’t expect full waiting rooms. We’re reducing the numbers of patients we’re seeing at once.
Learn the latest on COVID-19.
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