If you are experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms, including flu or cold-like symptoms and shortness of breath, please stay home at this time and seek direction from your primary care provider or local Health Authority. St. Charles Health System and Deschutes County have teamed to open a phone line to answer your questions. The number to call is 541-699-5109. Information on what to do in the event you are feeling ill can be found HERE on the Deschutes County Health Department website. In addition, if you have traveled outside the country recently, or have had contact with a known Coronavirus carrier, we request that you reschedule your appointment. There are no cancellation penalties.
Coronavirus/Covid-19 and our Office
VillanoMD is closely following COVID-19 developments. As new information becomes available we continually reassess and respond to OHA, CDC, WHO, and local authority updates to secure and ensure your health care needs. We are committed to serving our patient needs during this difficult time.
Protecting our patients and our employees against viruses and pathogens has always been, and continues to be, an integral component of office protocol. We follow OHSA and Oregon Health Authority regulations to ensure a Safe, Clean, Secure environment in which to treat patients, and we will continue to employ these highest standards. In addition, going forward we are taking the following precautionary measures to ensure your health and safety:
PLEASE ARRIVE SOLO. Bringing along family or friends simply increases the risk for all. The only exception would be a parent or guardian who is bringing a child in for his or her scheduled appointment. PLEASE ARRIVE ON TIME FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT, neither early nor late. We have implemented a staggered schedule to minimize patient-to-patient contact to the extent possible.
UPON ARRIVAL please call the receptionist at 541.312.3223 to let us know you have arrived for your appointment. The receptionist will provide you with further instructions at that time. We are observing a “wait-in-vehicle” protocol to minimize patient-patient contact and ensure everyone’s safety. Once you have been advised by our receptionist that the doctor is ready for you, you may proceed inside. We ask that you first please use the washroom immediately to the left of the elevator in our first-floor lobby, or immediately to the left of the VillanoMD entrance door in our second-floor lobby, to WASH YOUR HANDS for at least 20 seconds before entering the waiting/reception area. Please note: Per OHA and the Governor’s Directive, we are requiring the wearing of masks for the protection of all patients and staff. Thank you for observing these added safety measures. We appreciate your cooperation and support. Social distancing saves lives.
In addition to your contributions above to ensure your safety and that of other patients and staff, we are taking the following office hygiene precautions:
- We are deep cleaning and disinfecting our offices, including waiting room, exam rooms, procedure rooms, and staff areas, regularly THROUGHOUT THE DAY as well as after hours and on the weekends. In particular, we want to emphasize that, as per our standard protocol, our exam rooms are cleaned and sanitized after each and every patient exits, prior to re-rooming the next patient.
- Our staff are using hand barriers and high-filtration N95 masks to ensure both their and your protection from surface and/or airborne pathogens.
- Our staff members have been directed to stay at home if they are experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19; in addition, we are monitoring staff temperatures daily.
A reminder: the flu season is in full swing. The best way to prevent spread of disease is to wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your eyes/nose/mouth, and stay at home if you have a fever or cough. We will continue to monitor developments and follow OHA, CDC and WHO procedures and protocols as well as implement recommendations from our local public health authorities. Together, we can all make a difference and maintain our healthy future.