COVID-19 Policy/Procedures: Resuming Care
White Bear Eye Clinic Announces Plan to Resume Preventative Care on May 15th
While these have been difficult times for everyone, we are looking forward to opening our clinic for more than urgent care. We will open for preventative care starting on Friday, May 15th. As we transition from limiting our care to urgent and emergent situations to more comprehensive care, one thing has remained the same: our constant commitment to your health, safety and well-being.
We will continue to focus on providing eye health and vision care in the safest manner possible, following recommendations and guidance of the CDC, the American Optometric Association, OSHA, Minnesota Board of Optometry and the Minnesota Department of Health. We continue to closely monitor the recommendations of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.
We have created a path forward to further ensure a safe and healthy environment within the office. You will notice several changes when it is time for your next appointment. These modifications were made to help protect our patients and staff:
– We will communicate with you ahead of your appointment to ask some screening questions and will email or text you a link to fill out registration and history forms online. We will ask the same screening questions when you arrive for your appointment.
– Upon entering the office, it is required that you wear your own mask or face-covering and wear it for the entirety of your visit. All of our staff and doctors will be wearing masks as well. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided.
– Our goal is to maintain appropriate social distancing by keeping the reception area empty, whenever possible. We ask that only the patient being seen come into the office, unless the patient is a minor or requires assistance while in the clinic. In this case, one additional adult will be allowed in the clinic with the patient. We will ask you to call or text from your car when you arrive for your appointment. You will be notified by phone to enter the office at which time you will be asked to use hand sanitizer (provided), your temperature will be taken quickly and easily with a non-contact infra-red thermometer, and you will be brought directly to an exam room.
– We have spaced our appointments to minimize the number of people in the office at one time and to allow for appropriate social distancing. That may mean slightly limited options for scheduling you appointment. The doors will remain locked during business hours to eliminate walk-in traffic so we can control patient volume more effectively. We thank you for your patience and flexibility with this.
Urgent and emergent eye concerns such as injuries, infections or sudden vision loss will remain a priority. Please reach out if you have any urgent concerns and we will make sure you are taken care of including offering the option of telehealth services when appropriate.
– We will ask you to schedule an appointment for frame styling, glasses adjustments, dispensing or repairs.
-You will notice that our reception area and exam rooms no longer offer magazines, coffee bar or toys since these items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we are taking to keep our patients and staff safe in our practice. Please call to schedule an appointment, or with any eye or vision concerns. Starting Friday, May 15th, our hours will change to 8:30am-5:00pm Monday through Saturday.
We appreciate your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming you back to the clinic. It has been our pleasure to remain available for urgent eye care needs during this challenging season.
Stay safe, happy and healthy!
Sincerely,
White Bear Eye Clinic Doctors and Staff