COVID-19

Hello All, 

I, like much of the world, have been following the development of COVID-19 closely. Today, Governor Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine provided an update of mitigation efforts in Pennsylvania. It is likely only a matter of time before it reaches our community. Below, you will find the safety plan for Ideal Wellness Family Practice. This is subject to change as we gain more information. 

COVID plan for Ideal Wellness Family Practice: 

1. If you are sick, call us! We will listen to your symptoms and help you determine the next best steps. Please see our triage protocol below. 

2. For at least the next 2 week, the evening or morning before your appointment we will call you to screen for any respiratory symptoms. This is to keep everyone safe. Please be honest.  

3. Yoga classes are still in session, for now.

4. If we come into contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19, all Ideal Wellness staff (including the physician) who made contact with that individual will have to quarantine. As we’re small, this may lead to a situation where we will have to close for all in-person interactions, prescription pickups, etc. for up to (and potentially longer than) a 14-day period. If this were to occur, we would attempt to still offer telephone triage and telemedicine visits. There isn’t any safe way around this.  

I find that overwhelming fear and panic are rarely useful during times like these. However, proper planning and a healthy respect for Mother Nature is always prudent. 

Stay safe, 

Dr Orner

Triage Protocol: 

  • If you have isolated, upper respiratory symptoms and no fever, we will recommend home care and that you not come in for an in-person visit.  You are always welcome to speak with us to talk through things.  

  • If you have lower respiratory symptoms and/or fever, we will schedule a telephone visit to ascertain if an in-person visit is warranted.

    • If we determine that you need an in-person visit, the visit will occur in your vehicle in the parking lot of our clinic so as to prevent potential spread and exposure to others. Yes. In the parking lot.  Although it’s not how we usually do things, it’s the most effective way to prevent the spread in the clinic.

  • If you have severe symptoms, we will likely refer you directly to a hospital. From what we know thus far about COVID-19, symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization occur approximately 9-12 days after symptoms first appear. 

How to protect yourself & others:

  • Just like any other respiratory virus: stay home if you’re sick!

  • Just like preventing any other respiratory virus: take good care of yourself! Exercise regularly, eat nutritious, balanced meals, practice stress mitigation techniques, and get a solid 7-9 hours of sleep a night, etc.

  • Just like preventing any other respiratory virus: wash your hands! A lot!

  • Just like preventing any other respiratory virus: don’t touch your eyes, mouth, nose, etc., and get into the habit of washing your hands before eating.

  • If you can, avoid contact with those who are sick or are caring for the sick.

  • Those who are exposed to someone with COVID-19 or those who are being tested for COVID-19 will likely be asked to self-quarantine (currently not mandatory).  If your job permits, start asking your employer about work-from-home opportunities; if your job doesn’t permit work-from-home, ask your employer what their plan is to keep you safe!  

  • Because of the real possibility of a quarantine, stock a couple week’s worth of non-perishable foods items in a pantry.  Also make sure you have the basics — like medications, OTCs like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, diphenhydramine, and pseudoephedrine, and (a rational amount of) toilet paper, facial tissues, etc.  

Jessica Orner