FOWH CORONAVIRUS UPDATES
JULY 25, 2020 (corrected)
Dear Patient of FOWH,

The COVID-19 situation has been challenging for all of us. Our office has had a few positive cases among staff. Each positive case has been reported to the Pasadena Health Department. Thankfully, nearly all the staff who tested positive did not get very sick. Everyone positive is cleared by the Health Dept. before they return to work.

After the first positive cases were identified, we had the entire office deep cleaned using the fog technology similar to what is used on airplanes. We have added additional safety protocols such as only allowing one staff member at a time to eat in the same room.

On July 23, 2020 we were inspected by the Pasadena Health Dept. They found us to be fully compliant with all public health and safety guidelines. The only changes recommended were to have our temp checking employee wear a face shield in addition to her mask, and to use written screening questions.

Any staff at work with possible symptoms of COVID is tested by us and then sent home immediately. In the morning before work, any staff member with symptoms calls our head nurse and is told to stay home until a physician reviews the situation. Any staff member who reports possible contact (which they are required to do) is placed on home isolation until they can be cleared to return to work based on CDC guidelines.

Long before anyone heard of COVID, the safety of our patients and staff has always been our priority. Infectious diseases are not new, so as healthcare providers we have always been attuned to the concern for transmission. Be assured that we follow all recommend COVID-19 precautions, safety and hygiene measures. To date we have not had a single patient acquire COVID from contact with anyone in our office.
IMPORTANT - NEW COVID SCREENING QUESTIONS

WE WILL ASK YOU THESE QUESTIONS AT THE FRONT DOOR

  1. Within the last 10 days have you been diagnosed with COVID-19, had a positive test for the virus, or are waiting for a COVID test result?  
  2. Do you live in the same household with or have you had close contact with someone in the past 14 days who has positive COVID or possible COVID?
  3. Have you or anyone in your household traveled outside of California or to another country in the past 21 days?
  4. Have you started to have any the symptoms below today or within the past 48 hours?
  • Fever, Chills, Sweats or Shivering
  • Persistent Cough
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Feeling Unusually Weak
  • Loss of Taste or Smell
  • Sore Throat
  • Runny or congested nose
  • Diarrhea

If you answer YES to any of the above questions, a provider will determine if you can be seen or if your appointment can be safely delayed until you get tested for COVID-19.


CORONAVIRUS PRECAUTIONS IN EFFECT
  1. No visitors inside the office (for exceptions, such as limited mobility, please let us know ahead of time). You may FaceTime or audio connect a guest during your medical exams as you wish. This also applies to prenatal exams and ultrasounds. Ultrasound video screens may not be recorded, per national guidelines.
  2. Prior to your appt. all patients should have received a text message requesting them to wait in their car after arrival. A second text will be sent when we are ready for you to come to the office. Please see below.
  3. Once you come to the office, everyone must use our main entrance. This applies to all FOWH patients, Pasadena Pellet patients and staff.
  4. Temp screening takes place. Anyone with temp above 99.8 or symptoms of possible COVID-19 will have to wait outside until a provider can assess the situation.
  5. NEW: Patients must answer NO to all COVID Screening questions.
  6. Hand sanitizer is available at the front door.
  7. All patients (and staff) must wear a mask at all times while in the office. Patients need to bring their own masks.
  8. The waiting room and Primex lab are closed from 12:00 to 1:30 pm.
  9. Sneeze guards have been placed at the check-in and check-out desks. Please try to remain behind them as you talk to the staff.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
TEXT MESSAGING APPOINTMENT NOTIFICATIONS
The day before your appt. you will receive this text message. When you arrive for your appt. and park, reply to the text with the word "ARRIVED".
For a Monday appt. this text message will be sent the Friday before. When you arrive for your appt. and park, reply to the text with the word "ARRIVED".
We will send you this final text which asks you to wait in your car (or nearby the office). When we send "READY", please make
your way to the office.