Your family’s health is very important to us. Here are our Covid-policies that we have implemented to minimize transmission and do our part to decrease illness and hospitalization.
Environment
Exposure Prevention
Covid-positive Clients
Post Exposure Management
Environment
- We have installed a hands free sanitizing gel station at the entry to the office.
- We are wiping down counters, door handles, bathroom fixtures, light switches, etc., multiple times per day.
- The HVAC system installed at the clinic is medical grade and provides 9.3 air changes per hour (more than the 8 per hour required for NICU and patient care rooms).
exposure prevention
Deep into our third year of Covid we’re continuing to periodically adjust our guidelines to keep patients, babies, pregnant folks, and staff safe. Covid illnesses are definitely much lower at this time but because we see people who are actively growing their immune systems (toddlers and school age children) you may be more exposed to all sorts of viruses. As of July 2023 we have updated our policies to the following:
- We are still requiring masks for clients with recent plane travel or any signs or symptoms of illness (ie fever, cough, sore throat, etc.)
- Even when not required, masks are still encouraged and welcomed. You will see much of our staff continuing to wear masks when interacting with you. If you need/want a mask, just ask Jessie.
- We encourage all clients and staff to stay up to date on current vaccine recommendations. Currently this means at least one bivalent vaccine.
- We are continuing to offer telemedicine appointments for all clients when appropriate to minimize exposure for both patients and staff.
- Midwifery client visits are being scheduled for telemedicine visits roughly every other visit (as appropriate). Interviews are by default set to telemedicine (though you an request an in person visit if you prefer). Visits are all in-person starting at 36 wks or sooner, depending on individual circumstances.
- Laboring clients are Covid screened upon arrival in labor. A positive Covid test does mean a transfer for a hospital delivery.
- We are offering home birth deliveries again, though we require a negative rapid test for Covid before the midwife joins you at your home.
- Laboring clients are no longer limited to two support people during labor. We do recommend the fewest number of people to allow you to focus.
Covid-positive clients
- Clients with Covid or Covid exposure are excluded from office visits until their relevant isolation and/or quarantine period (per CDC guidelines). They can be seen by telemedicine.
- Midwifery clients that are Covid positive during the last month of pregnancy will be referred to a hospital based midwifery practice for appropriate prenatal care. If they complete their isolation/quarantine before delivery they are encouraged to come back to care with us.
- Midwifery clients that are Covid positive during their delivery are welcome to return to postpartum care once their isolation/quarantine is completed.
- Babies born to Covid-positive clients require a 14 day quarantine and therefore cannot be seen my the midwifery team. They will be referred to community-based resources that can provide the appropriate safety precautions during necessary checkups within those first 14 days.