COVID-19 | Alabama Vision Center

A NEW STANDARD IN PATIENT CARE

As our state begins a gradual approach to reopening health care services, we remain committed to keeping our patients, staff and community in good health. We want to thank you for your patience and cooperation in helping us curb the spread of COVID-19 over the past couple of months.

WHAT IS THE STAFF DOING DIFFERENTLY TO PROTECT ME?

All doctors and staff are required to take dedicated training courses prior to returning to work for patient care. This training was designed with safety in mind and touches on every step in the patient journey. Our team is also required to submit to a basic screening at the beginning of every shift, prior to reporting to work and also upon arrival at the office. This includes:

Temperature Check. Temperature should be taken prior to reporting to work. Employees reporting a temperature at or exceeding 100.0F will not report to work.
Evaluation of Signs or Symptoms. Self reporting of any COVID-19 related symptoms, including fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of sense of smell/taste, diarrhea, or extended exposure to an individual with COVID-19. Employees exhibiting signs or symptoms will not report to work.

Employees must be able to honestly provide the desired answers to remain at work. Employees must sanitize hands and put on approved PPE prior to entering the office. Masks will be worn by all staff, regardless of their role in patient care. Gloves will be worn by all staff who have direct patient contact. We have limited each of our provider schedules to allow only the minimum number of people in the office at one time. Our eye doctors will see fewer patients per day in order to comply with state guidelines on occupancy and social distancing. This is best for all patients and employees, regardless of age or risk level as it reduces interaction in every hour we are open.

WHAT TO DO PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT

We encourage patients and anyone accompanying a patient to bring their own mask or cloth face covering and wear it throughout the duration of the visit. It is important to note that only patients are allowed inside the practice. If the patient is a minor or otherwise in need of assistance, ONE person may accompany the patient—all others will be asked to wait outside or in their car. Additional guests will be granted access only after also completing the required pre-screening assessment (detailed in the following section) and are asked to also bring a mask to the office visit. If these conditions are not met by the person accompanying a minor or those requiring other assistance, the appointment for that patient will need to be rescheduled.

WHAT TO EXPECT UPON ARRIVAL AT THE OFFICE

Patients and visitors should be wearing their own mask or cloth face covering upon arrival to the facility (as communicated to them prior to their appointment). If not, they will be offered a mask or cloth face covering as supplies allow, which should be worn while they are in the facility. Masks do not need to be placed on children under the age of 2, on anyone who has trouble breathing, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. You will be asked to check in with the designated Compliance Officer when you arrive. This person will ask you to and anyone accompanying you to sanitize your hands, submit to a temperature check and conduct the health assessment questionnaire prior to checking in for your appointment. You will be required to sign a consent form prior to seeing the doctor, and will be provided with a pen that has been disinfected between every use. Our front desk staff will discard that pen into a designated bin for disinfection prior to its use by anyone else. Watch for designated markings on the floor to maintain the recommended 6 feet apart for social distancing.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR VISIT

All equipment or tools used throughout the pre-testing process and while in the exam lane will be disinfected between every patient encounter. Patients may remove face masks when in the exam room but should put them back on when leaving the room or when others enter the room. We’ve put a lot of thought into the new process of picking out your new eyeglasses too! Each patient will be asked to sit in the frame dispensary and work with their optician to find the frames they wish to try on. Our staff will be wearing gloves and will bring as many frames to you as you like. Any frames touched by you or the optical staff will be set aside in a designated bin for disinfection prior to returning to the frame board.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN PICKING UP EYEWEAR

As with new guidelines surrounding the eye exam process, we ask that only the patient enter the office to pick up eyewear. While we are not requiring an appointment to pick up eyewear at this time, some larger offices may do so if volume becomes too large. You may be asked to wait briefly either outside or in your car if the occupancy limit of the office has been met. All patients will be signed in and fit with their product, and eyeglass frames and cases will be wiped down prior to finalizing the dispensing of frames. Our offices will do their best to also allow for curbside dispensing if occupancy limits do not allow entry. We will also ship any pair of eyeglasses to patients who are unable to visit us in person, upon completion of a 5 point inspection when received from the lab. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to keep our office a safe space for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your appointment, please give us a call.

A NEW STANDARD IN PATIENT CARE

WHAT IS THE STAFF DOING DIFFERENTLY TO PROTECT ME?

WHAT TO DO PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT

WHAT TO EXPECT UPON ARRIVAL AT THE OFFICE

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR VISIT

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN PICKING UP EYEWEAR

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