At Arkansas Ear, Nose & Throat, PA, infection control procedures have always been taken to prevent the spread of disease based on recommendations from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With so many news stories, it’s understandable to be concerned about the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Please know that the daily precautions our practice already takes to prevent the spread of infection, helps prevent the spread of COVID-19.
We care about your safety and the following are just a few of the many daily preventative ways we already help stop the spread of infection: -Before you enter the examining room, all surfaces, such as medical equipment, chairs, cabinet surfaces and countertops, have been cleaned and disinfected.
Non-disposable items like the medical tools are cleaned and sterilized between patients. -Infection control precautions also require all staff involved in patient care to use appropriate protective equipment as needed.
With this new outbreak, we are implementing several additional preventative measures (and not limited to only the following): -Upon checking in, if you are experiencing a cough, sore throat, and/or fever. –you may be asked to wait in your cars until you can be called to an exam room.
Patients will have the option to wait outside in their cars until his or her turn for treatment.
We will be removing all magazines from the waiting areas. -The waiting area including all doors will be disinfected several times a day. -Items, such as pens and clipboards, that many patients may come in contact with, will be disinfected after each use. If you are healthy, there’s no need to cancel your regularly scheduled appointment.
If you are ill with flu-like symptoms, we ask you to reschedule your appointment and see your primary care physician.
If you or someone you are in close contact with have recently traveled to one of the countries with large outbreaks of COVID-19 (China, Italy, Iran, South Korea) or if you have been exposed to someone else who was diagnosed with COVID-19 or who was quarantined as a precaution, wait 14 days to reschedule your visit to make sure you have not caught the coronavirus.
Rest assured Hot Springs Ear, Nose and Throat takes your health and well-being seriously. We are taking all measures we can to ensure the safety of our patients, staff, and families. We value you and appreciate your trust in keeping you healthy.