COVID-19 Information
UPDATE: Tuesday March 31, 2020
In effort to do our part to #FlattenTheCurve, we have made the difficult decision to extend the temporary closure of the clinic until at least April 30th, 2020.
If you have an upcoming procedure scheduled, you will be contacted by one of our staff shortly.
Please stay tuned for further updates.
Sincerely,
The Clinic 805 Team
UPDATE: Tuesday March 24, 2020
As everyone is aware, we are in unprecedented times related to the emergence of a new strain of the Coronavirus. Although statistics show that the Coronavirus affects 7 to 15% of patients with viral illness annually, the latest strain appears to be more contagious and can severely affect certain individuals. At significant risk are the elderly, the immune compromised and individuals with pre-existing pulmonary conditions and diseases.
After reviewing all the latest information from the WHO, CDC and medical experts, we decided last week to make the difficult decision on behalf of our patients, staff and community to temporary close our clinic.
We are aware that this is a significant inconvenience to the many patients that had booked surgery, treatments and consultations. We appreciate that many surgery patients had booked time off work, planned for transportation and post-treatment care, and prepared for their surgery/treatments with preoperative protocols and testing. We are truly sorry for the inconvenience that this closure will cause.
We, as many others, believe that it is our responsibility to do our part in a time of a pandemic. All our staff are healthy and exhibiting no symptoms of COVID-19. However, we strongly believe that by doing our part to decrease person to person transmission we can help lower the peak incidence of the disease in Canada and change the outcome of many of those in our community that would be most vulnerable. We must all do our part. We advocate that all our patients and fellow Canadians do their part by heeding the recommendations of the medical experts including social distancing themselves, frequent hand washings and self-isolating for 14 days if you develop any symptoms of the COVID-19 virus or come into contact with anyone that may have those symptoms.
While we need to socially distance ourselves from others, please do not ignore those that can be most adversely affected by being alone. We would remind all of you to reach out by phone, text or e-mail to those that you know are alone and may need contact the most.
During this closure, our staff will be personally addressing all calls, e-mails and office inquiries. We will be reaching out directly to all those that have appointments during this time and will reschedule you in the very near future.
Dr. Smith and his medical staff will still be available for all early post-operative patients for their important follow up visits. These appointments will be spaced appropriately to ensure social distancing. We ask that if you have any COVID-19 symptoms that you call the office so we can make alternative arrangements for you.
As always, we ask that you contact Dr. Smith should you have any medical issues, using the contact information that was provided for you in your surgical package.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions during this time. We will be responding to all queries in a timely manner.
As things continue to progress and change, we will provide updates as necessary.
Stay safe & healthy,
The Clinic 805 Team
UPDATE: Friday March 20, 2020
Dear Valued Patients,
This is a call we were hoping to not have to make. We must inform you that our Clinic Director has made the decision to close Clinic 805 and cancel all planned surgeries for the following week. If you have an upcoming appointment or surgery, you will be contacted by one of our staff.
Although Clinic 805 is of the highest standard of hygiene and sterility as a fully accredited surgical facility, we cannot control the potential for staff and patient contacts during this time. Given the marked and rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in B.C., we feel it is necessary to comply with the increased directives of our provincial health officer to stay at home to avoid the spread of the virus.
Private clinics in the country have not been mandated by our governing bodies and/or the Provincial Health Officer to close at this time, however we have decided that it is our moral and ethical responsibility to contribute to the overall battle of this virus, by minimizing the potential contact through person to person interaction.
Additionally, in the unlikely event we have a surgical patient experience a complication that necessitates a hospital emergency visit, we would be using valuable services and resources that should be left available to those facing COVID-19 illness.
Once we are confident that re-opening the clinic aligns with provincial health directives, the re-booking of your appointment and/or surgery will be a top priority for us.
We will be following the pandemic on a week to week basis and will be providing another update on Monday March 23, 2020.
When we feel it is safe and appropriate to resume, we will be making another public announcement and you will once again, be contacted by one of our staff.
Until then, we ask that all members of the community come together (theoretically speaking) and adhere to the recommendations and directives of our provincial health officer.
We as a team pledge to do our part, by practicing diligent social distancing and proper precautions, as necessary. We hope that you will too.
Stay safe & healthy,
The Clinic 805 Team
Date: March 17, 2020
To our highly valued patients,
Due to the number of inquiries surrounding the recent COVID-19 outbreak, there are a few things we would like to clarify. We understand this is a stressful time for many and we send our support to anyone that is suffering or may be affected.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- At this time, we will be closing the clinic (March 17-20) to the general public.
- However, we will be seeing our recent post-operative patients on an “as needed basis”.
- All non-surgical appointments during this week, will be postponed until further notice.
- Surgical procedures will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. PATIENTS WILL BE CONTACTED INDIVIDUALLY AS UPDATES ARE AVAILABLE.
What is Clinic 805 doing?
Aside from the temporary closure, our routine daily practices of infection prevention and control are being continued as follows:
- We will continue to maintain our high standards of hygiene, with extra cleaning and sanitizing multiple times per day around the clinic.
- Hand sanitizer and handwashing stations are readily available. (Please use upon arrival)
- We are practicing aggressive hand washing and making sure as always, that we stay home if sick or have recently travelled.
Will my appointment or elective surgery be cancelled?
On a daily basis, we will be re-evaluating the clinic’s closure and will be contacting individual patients, as necessary.
Will I be penalized financially If I cancel or post-pone?
Given the situation and how much we value our patients and their commitment to us, we will NOT be charging any cancellation or postponement fees at this time. At Clinic 805, patient care and safety is our number one priority.
What can I do? Self Assessment:
Patients should take the “BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool”, to help determine whether you may need further assessment or testing. If you answer “Yes” to any of the questions, you should notify the clinic and refrain from coming in until you have completed a self-imposed quarantine period of 14 days.
What else can I do?
There are many things you can do, not only for yourself but for the safety and well-being of others. This includes:
- STAY HOME:
If you are experiencing signs or symptoms, make the decision to stay home and practice social distancing. - WASH YOUR HANDS:
According to the World Health Organization, studies to date suggest that the virus is mainly transmitted through CONTACT with respiratory droplets rather than through the air.- Therefore, be sure to frequently and properly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds. Remember to avoid cross contaminating when turning the tap off and opening the door by always using a paper towel.
- Always wash your hands before eating or touching your face, and/or after sneezing/coughing and touching objects handled by others, specifically door handles
- EDUCATE YOURSELF:
For more information, please visit a credible source such as:
Canada.ca/coronavirus
Who.int
cdc.gov
bccdc.ca
cpsbc.ca - If you suspect you may be unwell or have been exposed to COVID-19, please call:
1-888-COVID19 (7:30 am – 8 pm) for more information.
What’s next?
As previously mentioned, we will be making decisions on clinic closures and cancellations on a daily basis. We take your health seriously and your safety is of the utmost importance to us. As always, we are here to provide you with a comfortable, safe and enjoyable experience.
Stay tuned for further updates or follow us on Facebook & Instagram.
Stay healthy, happy and be kind! 😊
- The Clinic 805 Team