Returning To Work Amidst COVID

Blog post by:
Rachel Ross, RN
Advanced Nurse Injector

We are a medical practice in a role that was considered “non-essential” by local and federal government officials as it related to the COVID-19 stay home mandate. We agreed at the time, that this was an important thing to do for the wellbeing of patients and staff members. And now, the time has come when Broadway Plastic Surgery will open our doors once again and start treating our patients. We are not taking this lightly, as we implement new protocols and precautions to further keep patients as safe as possible. These protocols will forever change the way we practice medicine. Continuing good habits and adding newly recommended practices to keep one another safe, are essential.

There will be fewer staff members in the office at any given time and each person, whether they’re on staff or a patient, is required to wear PPE (Protective Protective Equipment). For the staff, this includes a mask, eye protection, and gloves.  For patients, a mask must be worn at a minimum. We will have fewer office days, mostly due to the fact that we share our office with another practice and we want to minimize the number of patients in the office and particularly, in the waiting room at any given time. We will implement heightened cleaning efforts throughout the day, making sure there is adequate time allotted for appointments as well as the time between patient appointments for cleaning and preparation for the next patient. Other restrictions apply when coming to your appointments. Patients can bring one additional adult to a consultation; however, we ask that no children be brought to the clinic at this time. If a patient has a known exposure to a person who is sick with COVID, we are asking them to reschedule their appointment or schedule a virtual consultation. We are asking patients who have any symptoms such as a fever, sore throat, cough, decreased ability to taste or smell not to come into the clinic at this time or to schedule a virtual consultation instead.

As a provider, and a nurse, I have habits such as good hand washing that will continue to be of strong importance and new protocols that I will incorporate into the treatments I provide for our patients. One of which will be that I will ask patients to wear gloves during their treatment! This is important so that our patients can be be “hands on” partners in their treatment. Sounds As my current patients already know, I am a huge advocate of having the patient fully participate in their own treatment plan goals. Masks will be important too, but obviously the patients mask is going to come off once we are 1 on 1. I will be wearing glasses, hair will be pulled back, mask and gloves on. We will treat our patients and implement measures to insure cleanliness and safety.

At Broadway Plastic Surgery we are a team and we focus on creating an environment that is conducive to protecting and caring for our patients.  Optimal results from any particular treatment requires a strong mutual understanding of goals and the treatment recommendations for achieving those goals. I am looking forward to seeing my patients again and all the new ways to create a safe environment, both mentally and physically, while maintaining a mutually beneficial partnership between the patient and provider.

Call to schedule your appointment at 303-647-1435! I look forward to seeing you.