COVID-19 UPDATE

The Boucher Clinic and External clinics are open! Safety measures are continuing to maintain a safe environment for patients, staff, faculty and students in addition  to following the Provincial health guidelines.

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To prepare for your appointment:

• Arrive at your appointment a few minutes before to be screened and welcomed into the clinic.
• A mask is required for the duration of your appointment and time in the clinic
  • a surgical mask will be provided when you arrive at the clinic and this is the mask required for your clinic appointment. Bring and wear a mask. (You will be provided one if you forget yours or don’t have one.)
• Come alone (or 1 person may accompany you.)
• Use hand sanitizer provided upon entering and exiting the clinic
• Limit use of the washroom when possible
• Stay home if you are sick (We will understand if you are unable to attend your appointment), but please contact the clinic to reschedule.

The following priorities inform all actions towards resuming non-emergent care at BNMC and the satellite external sites:

1. Minimize the risk of COVID-19 and other illness transmissions to patients, students, faculty, and staff
2. Provide non-emergent health care for patients of Boucher clinics
3. Provide practical educational experience for students where/when safe to do so

The overall aim of the protocols we have implemented is to reduce potential coronavirus transmission by:

• • Requiring ongoing assessment for signs of COVID-19 related illness in all persons entering the clinic
  • Following Hand Hygiene requirements
  • Wearing surgical masks by all persons while on site
  • Appropriate use of other personal protective equipment (PPE) as required:
    • Enhanced (N95) masks when required
    • Gowns when required
    • Wearing gloves when required by Routine practices and Standard Precautions

Patient information for In-Person Care

General Guidelines

a)  Everyone who enters the on-campus clinic (BNMC) or one of Boucher's Satellite Clinics will be screened for Communicable disease symptoms prior to entry. This will include screening on the phone when booking the appointment, and a screening questionnaire upon arrival.

b)  Any patient with new or worsening communicable disease symptoms (including COVID-19) should self-isolate and not attend in-person appointments. They will not be permitted in the clinic.

• Patients will be rescheduled for a later date or scheduled for telemedicine
• Symptoms of COVID-19:
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Chills
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sore throat or pain with swallowing
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Loss of sense of smell
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite

c)  Physical distancing will be maintained whenever possible, and all staff, faculty, students and patients will be required to wear masks or face coverings while on campus and in clinic.

• Anyone who has attended the clinic and develops symptoms within 14 days should alert the clinic manager and the CMO immediately by calling 604 540 2873 or emailing kfairman@ccnm.edu

Appointment booking:

• Patients will be informed about their responsibilities at the time of booking
  • Patients must confirm that they are not required to isolate or exhibiting symptoms of a communicable disease such as COVID-19
  • Patients must confirm that they are not exhibiting any symptoms prior to in-person care

• Surgical masks must be worn at all times within the clinic 

• A reminder notice (call/text/email) will be done 48 hours prior to the booked appointment
  • the patient will be reminded of these guidelines and their appointment will be rescheduled or changed to Tele-medicine if they are experiencing any symptoms

• Patients who develop even mild illness or symptoms should cancel in-person appointments
  • They will not be charged a late cancellation fee if they cancel due to illness and give any notice.
  • Patients should stay home and isolate if they are experiencing symptoms

Hand hygiene:

• On entering the clinic
  • please use the alcohol-based hand sanitizer provided
• On leaving the examination/procedure room
  • please use the alcohol-based hand sanitizer provided
• After using the washroom:
  • Wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and warm water
  • Use a disposable paper towel to open the door
• After using a tissue:
  • Wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and warm water or 
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer 
• After coughing or sneezing:
  • Wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and warm water or 
  • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer

Mask Etiquette:

• Avoid touching your mask or eye protection unnecessarily
• If you must touch or adjust your mask or eye protection, perform hand hygiene immediately after

Respiratory Etiquette:

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow sleeve or a tissue even when wearing a mask
• Throw away used tissues and immediately perform hand hygiene

Cancellation Policy

Your appointment time is reserved just for you. Late cancellation or missed visit leaves a hole in the practitioners’ day that could have been filled by another patient. As such, we request 24 hours notice for any cancellations or changes to your appointment. Less than 24 hours’ notice or missed appointments will be charged a $30 fee. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic cancellations fees are temporarily suspended for cancellations due to illness where any notice is given.