Ensuring the Safety of Patients and Families During COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
At IHDD, we are committed to providing safe healthcare services for our patients and families. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented telehealth appointments when our clinics closed. We are transitioning back to in-person appointments as appropriate. There are some types of visits that will continue via telehealth or a combination of in-person and telehealth visits will be scheduled. For those patients who are best served by in-person visits, we want you to know about the many safety measures that we have put in place for your protection.
Daily screening of staff and providers
We are screening all of our employees each day when they come to work. If an employee has signs of a respiratory illness, they are required to stay home until they have fully recovered.
Screening for all patients and family members
Upon arrival, patients and family member are asked screening questions. If signs of illness are present, we will not be able to see the patient and a new appointment will need to be made.
Restrictions for social distancing
To maintain social distancing guidelines that have been proven to help slow the spread of COVID-19, we have limited the number of people who enter our building. Each patient can only have one adult accompany them. Extra siblings and other children are not allowed at this time. When in clinic, we will try our best to keep physical distance, but we often need to be closer than 6 feet from patients to do our job well.
Mask wearing for all
Everyone, including patients over age 2 years, family members, providers, and staff are required to wear a face mask to protect against COVID-19 transmission. We understand that it may be difficult for young children to tolerate wearing a mask. There may be other cases in which a mask is not appropriate.
- Social Story: Wearing A Face Mask (PDF)
- Parent Guide: Helping Your Child Wear A Face Mask (PDF)
- Seeing Other People Wearing Masks (PDF)
Protective gear during during appointments
Because of the close proximity required for some of our evaluations, in addition to masks, some providers may wear full face shields and washable gowns for everyone’s protection.
Hand washing
Frequent hand washing is recommended for providers and patients. There will be ready access to hand sanitizer throughout clinic spaces.
Facility cleaning
Clinic rooms and all materials used and handled during appointments will be cleaned between patients.
