COVID-19 Update

Coronavirus (COVID-19) UPDATE

As we learn more about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and its spread to various areas within Northeast Ohio, we want to assure you that Broadview Heights Family Medicine is actively monitoring these fast-moving developments and prepared to address concerns within our communities as necessary.

We remain in close and regular contact with local and federal health officials at the Centers for Disease Control, Cuyahoga County Board of Health, as well as the local area hospitals. Though the situation around the virus remains fluid, our goal is to meet or exceed all provided guidelines.

The safety of our patients and staff is our number one priority and while we don’t want to make anyone more fearful, we want to address the practices and precautions that we can all take to ensure that we are protecting ourselves from the spread of the virus.

Broadview Heights Family Medicine is taking extra measures by performing additional sterilization to maintain a safe environment for customers and employees.  We have implemented a strict phone triage protocol to address patients symptoms.  There will be a qualified screener located at the entrance to the building to assist in screening patients presenting to the office thus,  reducing the risk of exposure in our facilities.

At present, these are our recommendations regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak:

• If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms to please remain home.
• If you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath, or are otherwise concerned you have COVID-19, we ask that you do not come to any facility without calling your primary care physician.
• You will be evaluated to determine if you require being seen in person or if you meet CDC guidelines for testing for COVID-19 based on symptoms, travel and exposures. If you meet criteria for testing, your primary care physician will advise how to proceed with testing
• At this time, CDC does not recommend healthy people to wear facemasks in community settings to prevent infection.  If you are ill, you may be asked to wear a face mask to prevent spreading illness to others in the healthcare setting.  Do not re-wear face masks.  Throw away after each use.
• There is no need to stop your immunosuppressive medications preemptively.
• If you become sick, please let your doctor know, and discuss with them prior to stopping any medications.
• At this point, we have no knowledge that patients on immunosuppressive medications are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection.
• Most importantly, don't panic. By following basic prevention measures such as hand hygiene and cover your cough, you are helping to keep yourself and others healthy.

 

As this situation is rapidly evolving, we ask that you stay alert to information we are providing to protect you and your family.

Trusted sources for additional information on COVID-19 include:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

https://www.ccbh.net/

Ohio Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization.

https://clevelandclinic.org/coronavirus

https://www.uhhospitals.org/services/coronavirus

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