Last updated on March 24th, 2020 at 11:23 am
Note: These tips come from MGE clients who are allowing us to share them. That fact that we are sharing them should not be construed as advice from MGE, an endorsement of the contents or recommendations on actions to take. These tips are being made available for informational purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Always seek the advice of applicable legal and medical professionals (and in this case, the CDC) with any questions you may have regarding appropriate actions to take. MGE disclaims any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages relating to or arising directly or indirectly from any use of any of the data on this website or any action taken in this regard.
Tip #1: Providing help for local nursing homes – March 20, 2020
The first one comes from Ms. Nisha Patel, who operates a practice in Texas. She recently began running a program for local nursing homes that were undersupplied. She emailed the patient base offering a pre-filled whitening tray in exchange for paper towels and/or toilet paper—which is then donated to local nursing homes in need. Patients simply pull into the parking lot and text the office to notify that they’ve arrived, and a team member comes out to them.
And while Nisha was reaching out to local nursing homes, she discovered that many of them were in desperate need of emergency care. In fact, one nursing home had an occupant that passed away just a few days prior due to an untreated abscess. So, she arranged with the nursing homes to be able provide treatment safely. The nursing home shuttle brings the patient to the office, and doesn’t enter until the office has been fully sterilized. And during this nursing home patient’s appointment, they are the only patient inside the practice.
This way Nisha has been able to provide help in the community and stay productive.
Tip #2: Implementing a text-to-chair protocol – March 20, 2020
Another client, Dr. Tejumade St. Matthew-Daniel from Orlando, FL, implemented a new text-to-chair protocol for patients coming to their practice. Prior to a patient’s appointment, the office sends a message along the lines of:
“When you arrive for your scheduled appointment, we kindly request that you text or call us at __________ to inform us that you are here. To avoid having patients and companions waiting together in our reception room, we will text or call you back right away either to confirm that you’re scheduled treatment room and chair are completely disinfected and ready for you…or to ask that you wait in the comfort of your car or outside until your chair is ready. Once ready, we will text or call you and then escort you straight back to your chair with no waiting inside our office.”
This way patients can wait in their cars instead grouping together in the waiting room. It’s a great way to maintain an extra high level of hygiene for your patients—whether you’re fully open for business or just seeing emergencies currently.