Guidance for Arkansas Optometrists Regarding In-Person Vision and Medical Care During COVID 19 Pandemic Routine eye care may begin on May 4th if following the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines. As patients begin seeking routine and other in-person vision care services, it is recommended Doctors of Optometry adopt protocols in their facilities to address the safety of employees, patients, and themselves. Below are suggested steps to prepare your practice, staff, and patients for a safe return to delivering the full range of essential eye health and vision care Americans need. Anticipate when you will return to a normal (or a new normal) schedule.
AVERAGE LEVEL OF PATIENT INTERACTION Optometric services require direct physical contact with patients. This may involve touching members of the public on the face, coming in contact with mucous membranes (conjunctiva) and bodily fluids (tears, mucous). PROTECTIVE MEASURES
○ This action is recommended to help prevent transmission from infected individuals who may or may not have symptoms of COVID-19. ○ Cloth face coverings are not considered PPE because their capability to protect healthcare personnel (HCP) is unknown. Facemasks, if available, should be reserved for HCP. ○ For visitors and patients, a cloth face covering may be appropriate. If a visitor or patient arrives at the healthcare facility without a cloth face covering, a facemask may be used for source control if supplies are available.
○ How to put on (don) PPE instructional video: https://youtu.be/of73FN086E8 ○ How to remove (doff) PPE instructional video: https://youtu.be/PQxOc13DxvQ
○ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/print-resources.html?Sort=Date%3A%3Adesc ○ https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/pdf/Public_Health_Notice_General_3.16.20.pdf
○ Employees must be screened daily with questionnaire and temperature readings. ■ Any staff member showing signs of illness should not be permitted to work and should be referred to their primary care provider.
○ Pre-Screen patients for cough, breathing difficulty, fever, recent travel outside of Arkansas, and COVID-19 exposure prior to scheduling appointments. ○ Patient/companion's temperature is to be verified prior to office entry. ■ Companion’s name, date of birth, and COVID 19 screening will be kept in the patient's record. ○ Patients and visitors exhibiting signs of illness should be rescheduled and referred to their primary care provider unless an emergency dictate otherwise.
○ Offices should discuss with patients the need to reschedule their appointment if they develop fever or symptoms of COVID-19 leading up to the time of their appointment. ○ Patients and visitors should also be informed in advance of the expectation that they wear their own mask or cloth face covering upon arrival to the facility. ○ When appropriate, telehealth technology should be utilized.
○ A patient may bring one companion into the office only if the patient is a minor, or an assistant if the patient requires a caregiver. ○ No additional persons will be allowed to wait in the building.
○ The patient may return to their automobile and be called when the exam room is available.
○ Sanitize workstations often.
○ Doctors, technicians, and opticians will sanitize all equipment, chin rests, and chairs after providing services to each patient. ○ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/index.html MEASURES SHOULD BE COMMUNICATED TO EMPLOYEES IN A CLEAR AND CONSISTENT MANNER
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE), SUCH AS FACE-MASKS OR GLOVES
○ Decontamination and Reuse of Filtering Facepiece Respirators ■ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/decontamination-reuse-respirators.html MEASURES WILL BE COMMUNICATED TO PATIENTS IN A CLEAR AND CONSISTENT MANNER
○ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/print-resources.html?Sort=Date%3A%3Adesc USEFUL RESOURCES Governor's Notice Pursuant to State of Arkansas Executive Department Proclamation EO 20 - 13 (3) f Arkansas Department of Health Public Health Notice Arkansas Department of Health COVID-19 Website Governor's COVID-19 Website CDC Guidance for Healthcare Professionals CDC Public Health Notices CDC Hand Hygiene in a Healthcare Setting OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 American Optometric Association COVID-19 Website Recommendations Re-opening Facilities to Provide Non-emergent Non-COVID-19 Healthcare: Phase I Sample questions for patients and staff https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-flexibility-reopen-essential-non-covid-services.pdf
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