RIW has reopened for In Person Services with strict safety procedures
Posted on July 7th, 2020
Telemedicine continues to be available for at-risk patients
Based on Governor Jay Inslee’s 4-phase re-opening plan, we have resumed full in person services with additional safety precautions.
We are adhering to the following procedures that will be in place to keep our patients and staff as safe as possible.
Self-screen at home. Please do not come in if you are sick.
Any person who has been ill in the 72 hours prior to clinic visit will not be allowed to enter the clinic. Every patient and staff person will be expected to do a self-screen at home every day before coming into the clinic. A self-screen questionnaire will be provided (click here to view). The purpose of this self-screen is to identify, before you leave home, if you have symptoms or risk factors that would make it necessary for you to NOT be seen in clinic on that day. When you do your self-screen, if you have questions, you can call the clinic to clarify. Patients should contact RIW by telephone to reschedule if you are ill or have any concerning symptoms. In addition, if you are considered high risk, we recommend that you check with your primary care provider regarding the advisability of attending appointments.
Only scheduled patients and interpreters may enter the clinic.
In order to minimize the number of people in the clinic at any time, we ask that patients do not bring friends or family members for regular treatment sessions. If you are a new patient being evaluated, you may bring 1 support person, such as a spouse or parent.
A face mask is required while in the clinic.
We will be asking all staff members and patients to wear a face mask. We ask that you bring your own face mask with you. RIW has a limited supply of masks if you do not already have one. Your mask must be disposed of or washed after each daily use.
All persons will be screened prior to clinic entry.
When you arrive at RIW, we will do a screening before you are admitted to the clinic. This will include asking you some questions and checking your temperature. We will ask you to remain in your car and call the front desk before you come up to the clinic for screening. This is to prevent overcrowding in the lobby area while people are waiting to be screened. Please follow all directions posted. Do not enter the clinic before being screened. This screening is required every day for each person entering the clinic. All staff members will be screened prior to entry into the clinic also. At the time of screening in the clinic, if you have any concerning symptoms or a fever, we may ask you to immediately return home. Depending on the concerns, we may have you see a medical staff person first.
All persons must wash their hands immediately upon entering the clinic.
Once you are admitted to the clinic, we will ask you to wash your hands prior to participating in any other activities. We encourage you to wash your hands after your treatment appointment also.
Please maintain a minimum of 6’ distancing from others while in the clinic.
We have arranged our waiting room, treatment, and evaluation spaces to facilitate maintaining 6-foot social distancing as much as possible. Direct contact between providers and patients will only be used as necessary. Please allow plenty of space around others in the clinic and avoid gathering in any way. Maximum room allowances will be observed at all times.
Treatment and common areas of the clinic will be sanitized regularly.
All examination and treatment spaces will be cleaned in between patients. Common areas will be cleaned frequently throughout the day.
We recommend that you review the self-screening questionnaire prior to your first clinic appointment so that you are familiar with the questionnaire and are able to call with any questions to clarify things that are not clear prior to the day of your first clinic appointment.
Our medical and safety staff will continue to monitor developments in the outbreak of the respiratory illness COVID-19 in the greater Seattle area. As recommendations from the CDC and King County Public Health change, we will provide updates to our patients and staff.
Sincerely,
Heather R. Kroll, MD
Medical Director