COVID-19 Instructions
Dear Patients and Friends,
We truly hope that this finds you and your families well.
There are now signs that the community spread of COVID–19 is on the decline and life begins to resemble a new “normal”. Although we are all excited to resume some of our regular activities, we all know that the threat of this pandemic is still ever present and we all must remain vigilant.
At Dr. Daisy Chemaly and Associates Practice, our number one priority continues to be the safety and well–being of our patients and staff. Our infection prevention and control protocols continue to meet and exceed provincial requirements.
These protocols changes include:
Infection prevention and control
- In addition to our already robust infection control and sterilization practices, we will ensure that public areas that come in contact with all people will be sanitized appropriately and regularly.
- We continue to observe universal precautions for all procedures and all patients to prevent cross-contamination, not only for COVID–19 but also for other communicable diseases.
- All materials such as magazines, literature, or toys have been removed from public areas.
- We will continue to have ample hand sanitizers in all areas for our staff and patients. Please avail yourself of these before and after touching any surface.
- There will be signage in all areas to remind and assist you of good hand hygiene practices. All treatment areas have always been, and will continue to be, thoroughly disinfected between each patient.
- We will continue to monitor scientific evidence and direction of the public health officials and implement changes as needed.
Screening (depending on the number of community cases)
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- Patients will receive online COVID–19 screening forms. One is to be completed prior to the day of your appointment, and the other one on the day of your appointment.
Our staff are trained in screening for signs and symptoms of COVID–19.
- All surgeons and staff will complete a COVID–19 screening form and temperature reading daily.
- No person who is either known COVID-19 positive, or suspected will be admitted to the office.
- We will continually triage the patients referred to us for treatment, prioritizing based on the urgency of each case to determine the best setting and timing for their tailored treatment.
Physical distancing (depending on the number of community cases)
- We have implemented, and will enforce, appropriate physical distancing.
- We have glass screens placed at our reception desks for the protection of our patients and staff.
- In order to preserve personal protection equipment (PPE) at the Practice, we ask that you and your escort (if required) arrive with your own mask. If you do not have one, one will be provided.
- We will have sanitized pens available, if needed.
- We ask that only the patient receiving care be present in the office. Exceptions will be made for our young and elderly patients who need accompaniment, as well as those who require other accommodations.
- We ask that our patients leave at least one empty seat between themselves and the next person in the public areas. An exception to this will be for members of a family who live at the same address.
- Every attempt will be made to stagger appointments to reduce the number of people in any area at a given time.
- Signage will be available to assist and remind you.
Day of the Appointment (depending on the number of community cases)
- Patients and family members are asked to wait in their car. Please notify our staff on arrival.
- Our staff will notify you when we are ready to greet the patient in the office.
- The family members/escort are asked to remain in the parking area.
- The completed COVID-19 screening form will be reviewed and the patient’s temperature will be recorded.
- Only persons who pass the screening will be admitted into the building.
- Please observe signage for seating and physical distancing.
- We appreciate your cooperation with the instructions from our staff.
- You will be escorted to the treatment room as soon as possible, reducing your wait in public areas.
- Your assessment and/or treatment will proceed while we observe appropriate infection control practices. We thank you for your patience, as donning and doffing the PPEs, and room preparations may require additional time.
- Post–operative instructions and any prescriptions will be provided, per our usual routine.
- If the treatment is completed under sedation or general anesthesia, our nurses will contact your escort who will then be admitted to the office, if they have a negative screening.
- You and your escort (if applicable) will be discharged when safe to do so.
- In order to reduce your time in the office, we kindly request that financial matters be settled before the appointment. Credit card payments by phone will simplify this significantly. Any refunds/adjustments can be processed on your credit card, right after the appointment. We will continue to accept Interac, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit, cash or certified cheque, if requested.
- All pre– and post-operative instructions, as well as other helpful information is available on our website. We are always available at 416-766-7616 to answer any questions that you may have regarding your assessment or treatment.
We will continually monitor the provincial guidelines and directives and will make modifications to our activities as needed.
We appreciate your ongoing support, patience, and cooperation during this transition. As always, we value your feedback on how to better care for you and your family. Please feel free to reach out to any one of our team members.
Looking forward to seeing you at our practice.
Surgeons and Team