UPDATE: 03.22.2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, the world around us is changing rapidly, but our commitment to the healthcare needs and safety of our patients remains the same.
At the recommendation of the CDC and to adhere to Governor Ducey’s mandate, The Pain Center has postponed performing interventional procedures at our clinics and ambulatory surgery centers. We remain available to provide care during this challenging time by expanding our services to include secure, online telemedicine visits. Most of our patients’ pain management care can be managed through this system.
Once you have scheduled an appointment, one of our team members will contact you to guide you through the telemedicine process and answer any questions you may have.
We urge you to continue to follow the CDC recommendations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and then immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
We appreciate your understanding during this time. These steps will allow us to continue providing the care you need while keeping our communities safe. On behalf of our entire TPC family, we wish you good health.
ORIGINAL MESSAGE: 03.19.2020
Dear Patients,
Thank you for allowing us to partner with you in your pain management care. We realize that pain management care is essential to allowing our patients to live their lives to the fullest.
Our clinics and Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) are still open for business and our delivery of services, which includes performing procedures, will continue as scheduled. The Pain Center and our Accredited Surgery Centers utilize the strictest disinfectant protocols and standard sterile processes.
We are closely monitoring updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with guidance from local and U.S. government health agencies. Rest assured that we have implemented a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan designed to help us prevent the spread of the virus to the best of our abilities. Among other things, our plan includes the following:
- New phone and check-in screening processes to proactively identify potentially infected patients
- Daily and ongoing sanitization of our lobby, exam rooms and other common areas
- Available hand sanitizer and masks for patients and team members
- Team members are following best practice infection prevention methods such as hand washing for at least 20 seconds and using hand sanitizers more often
For this plan to be successful, we have implemented and respectfully ask that you be mindful of some new policies to ensure we minimize spread to our patient population.
If at any time you feel you meet criteria for COVID-19, please call our office to discuss alternate appointment options.
Such criteria include:
- Fever, cough, or shortness of breath
- Exposure to someone with confirmed diagnosis of Coronavirus
In order to do our part to limit spread of the virus, we will no longer allow non-essential family members in our clinic for any visit and only one visitor per patient. This includes waiting room and/or exam rooms. Please make arrangements for them to wait in your vehicle during your visit. We will notify them via text once your visit is over. If you are undergoing a procedure, we will ask that your transportation meet us at the building entrance when you are ready for pick up.
We encourage you to practice safe infection controls methods as well. The CDC recommends the following:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
We will continue to do our part to provide safe, high quality pain management care. At the same time, we hope these measures will ensure a delay of spread of COVID-19.
Sincerely,
Steven Siwek, MD
Medical Director