Notice To Patients: COVID-19

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO OUR PATIENTS ABOUT COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS

Updated: 12/28//21

To ensure the safety of our patients, visitors, and staff at all eight of University Cancer & Blood Center’s locations, we continue to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically the B.1.617.2 (delta) variant of the coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and work to proactively ensure our patients and workforce remain safe and protected.

Due to an increase in COVID cases, we are reinstating the following COVID protocols effective today (12.28.21):

• No guests on the treatment side
• 1 guest in the exam room
• Mask must be worn at all times
• If you have test positive for COVID, do not come to your appointment
• Social Distance

Dear Patients & Families,

University Cancer & Blood Center is committed to the health and safety of our patients, staff, and community.  As we continue to closely monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, we want to assure you that we are taking necessary precautions to ensure your safety as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local authorities. For the health and safety of all UCBC patients, their family members, and our staff, we are encouraging our patients to utilize our optional Telehealth services if/when possible, in lieu of on-site appointments during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. You can contact us at (706) 353-2990 or through our patient portal, with any questions or to inquire about changing your currently scheduled in-office appointment to a Telehealth visit. As an added precaution, we ask that you please assist us by doing the following during your visit to our locations:

• ALL PATIENTS and STAFF will go through a verbal screening process upon entering our buildings, before entering the waiting rooms. Screening questions will relate to: IIf you are currently experiencing any flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches or cough; if you have been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with the coronavirus: and current COVID-19 vaccination status.
• ONE companion/caregiver will be allowed inside with patients or inside any UCBC buildings. This policy has been put into place in the best interest of protecting all patients and staff. We deeply appreciate your understanding.
• ALL PATIENTSwill be given a mask to wear upon entering a UCBC facility if they are not already wearing one.
• ANY PATIENT experiencing any of the above symptoms or who has been in contact with anyone with the above symptoms will not be permitted to enter our building and we will gladly reschedule his/her appointment to a later date.
• ALL PATIENTS and STAFF will be required to sanitize their hands with disinfectant supplies provided at the point of entry into our buildings.
• Please click here to learn more about our optional virtual  Telehealth appointments.
• If you have an in-person appointment, please arrive on time rather than too early in an effort to minimize the amount of time you will spend in our waiting room. In addition, if you are limiting your exposure to the public or would like to reschedule your appointment for any other reason, we will be happy to do that and, if necessary, provide refills by request. If you are a patient who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please call our office (706) 353-2990 to speak with our Triage Nurse. They will provide guidance about whether you should come to the clinic or wait until symptoms are gone. If you have a scheduled, essential appointment at UCBC, please plan to keep this appointment unless you are experiencing symptoms like fever, cough, congestion, sore throat, runny nose or shortness of breath. We will continue to diligently monitor developments and update our patients and staff accordingly. you have any other questions about your visit or scheduling a visit, contact our office directly.

In addition to the regulations, the following measures have been put in place at all of our facilities:

• Our medical office spaces are continuously cleaned as part of our normal course of business, and we will maintain rigorous standards including cleaning and disinfecting high-touch, high-traffic areas.
• Our offices are stocked with quality hand soap and disinfectant supplies.
• We are ensuring that our employees have the information they need to stay healthy. Employees not feeling well in any regard will not be allowed in the workplace.
• Limiting the amount of contact that our patients have with shared objects can help reduce the spread of certain infections, including COVID-19. Therefore, we have removed all magazines, books and other reading material from our waiting areas and exam rooms

UCBC prides itself in the commitment to maintain a safe environment for both our employees and patients while continuing to deliver the best medical care possible. We want to thank you for the trust you have placed in our providers and staff and appreciate your help and support in helping us with the safety measures we have put into place. If you think you may have been exposed to coronavirus or are experiencing symptoms, please call 866-460-1119.

Best Regards,

The Providers and Staff at University Cancer & Blood Center

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT COVID-19:

• According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: “Everyone is at risk for getting COVID-19 if they are exposed to the virus. Some people are more likely than others to become severely ill, which means that they may require hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help them breathe, or they may even die.”
• Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately
  Trouble breathing
  Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
   New confusion
  Inability to wake or stay awake
  Bluish lips or face

* This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

• People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19
• Learn how to protect yourself and others here.
• The interim guidance in the following link is for staff at local and state health departments, infection prevention and control professionals, and healthcare personnel who are coordinating the home care and isolation of people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection, including persons under investigation |Interim Guidance for Implementing Home Care of People Not Requiring Hospitalization for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

UCBC PATIENTS AND VISITORS: FAQ

Are patients screened for respiratory symptoms?

Yes, all patients will be screened for symptoms of respiratory illness at the entrance of the clinic.

Should I wear a mask in the clinic?

Yes. If you do not have a mask, UCBC will provide you with one prior to entering the clinic.

Infection Control:

UCBC has extensive and thorough infection control procedures, and we will do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of our community.  We have protocols and systems in place to keep all patients, visitors and healthcare workers safe.

Testing:

For use under the Emergency Use authorization only: UCBC offers COVID-19 testing to UCBC patients with an order from a UCBC provider. The self-pay fee for the PCR tests is $142.63. Please note that some insurances are covering 100% of the cost.

HOW CAN I PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19?

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent exposure:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• ALWAYS wear a protective mask when in public. The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick (maintain at least 6 feet of distance apart)
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
• Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.