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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many small healthcare practices and clinics were forced to postpone all elective procedures, temporarily close their doors, or at the very least, limit in-person visits. The idea was to free up doctor’s schedules to tend to the rising number of COVID-19 patients and to slow the spread within the communities they serve.
While this seemed to work in some regard, what many medical professionals have found is that patients that need to be seen in-person are afraid to come in for an appointment. The fear is that they could contract the coronavirus and spread it to their families. Though this is a legitimate fear to have, avoiding the doctor’s could prove severe.
This is why it is important for doctors and their medical staff to find an effective way to ease patient fears during the pandemic. There are several strategies you can implement to make non-COVID-19 patients feel safe visiting your medical practice.
Be There to Answer Their Call
Once your medical practice reopens, you’re going to get a lot of calls from patients. Many of them will be about the safety of returning in the middle of a pandemic. To help and ease their fears, it is important that you’re available to answer their calls. While it may be difficult for you to answer every phone call you get, you could outsource your calls to medical answering services. This way, instead of getting an automated system or a voicemail, your patients will always have someone they can voice their concerns to.
Limit Capacity
The fewer people there are in one space, the lower the chances are of spreading COVID-19 from patient to patient. You can provide peace of mind to your patients by limiting the number of people in the building at once. The best way to master this would be to eliminate walk-ins and accept appointments only. This way you can manage how many people are in the office at once.
Create a Space Just for Them
Designate an area in your waiting room where non-COVID-19 patients can wait to be seen. This space should be separate from where patients with symptoms of coronavirus should sit.
Patient Screenings Upon Entry
Set up a patient screening area outside of your office. As people come to your medical practice, have them answer some questions and take their temperature to see if they may have contracted the virus. You can then give them a mask and direct them to the COVID-19 waiting area or the non-COVID-19 area.
Sanitation Stations
Besides having restrooms that are fully-stocked with soap, paper towels, and hand sanitizer, you should also have sanitation stations set up throughout your medical office. Now patients can find comfort in knowing they can keep their hands clean and reduce the spread.
Regular Office Decontamination
While medical offices are likely cleaned and sterilized more than other commercial properties, they’re also the most exposed to germs, bacteria, and ultimately, the coronavirus. Therefore, you’ll need to have your janitorial staff clean and sanitize the office throughout the day. When patients see that the premises are being thoroughly cleaned several times a day, they’re less fearful that their health is compromised.
Share Your Changes
Last but not least, spread the word about your diligence to protect your patients during the pandemic. This means posting changes to your website, blog, and social media sites so that patients are aware that you’re available and making their safety a top priority during these times.
Even as parts of the country begin stages to reopen, medical professionals will have an uphill battle trying to get their non-COVID-19 patients to seek the medical treatment they need. There is a worldwide spread of fear and anxiety amid the pandemic as patients become more fearful of dying from the coronavirus than their existing health conditions. The best way to win this battle is to create a safe space for them, keep the lines of communications open, and implement cleaning and sanitation practices that keep everyone safe.