COVID-19 is not behind us, and there are daily news reports of the growing prevalence of new strains of the virus. Keeping the current situation in mind, we discuss safety measures during COVID-19 with a handy list of things you can do as a patient to stay safe and healthy.
Patient safety has always been a top priority for us at Los Gatos Doc, primary care doctors in Los Gatos.
We believe in safety inside-out. Hence, we continue to prioritize our healthcare staff and employees’ physical, emotional, and mental health. We educate our staff on being safe and preventing burnout. Our team follows all the recommended safety measures to ensure your safety at all times, including during the pandemic.
We strive to create an open and supportive culture for our patients. We use all communication channels to reach our patients with informational videos and articles during the pandemic. We talk regularly with our patients to learn from their experiences of our healthcare services and how we can improve our processes accordingly.
What You Can Do To Be a Safe Patient During COVID-19?
Apart from following the mandatory COVID-19 safety protocols, such as wearing a face mask, maintaining social distancing, and washing hands, here are some health care practices we suggest that will keep you and your family healthy amid the pandemic:
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Stay in Regular Touch with Your Doctor
Just because we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it shouldn’t stop you from seeking medical treatment for yourself and your family. You can continue to see your doctor using telehealth services or office visits if your physician practice is open to in-person appointments.
We especially recommend staying on track with all scheduled appointments for those with chronic conditions as continuous and consistent care is essential to managing chronic health conditions. Continue to stay in touch with your doctor and inform them of any changes in your medical condition. Your doctor can address your specific queries and concerns and advise you on the next steps to improve your health.
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Continue to Take Your Prescribed Medications
As with regular doctor visits, continue to take your prescribed medications. Most physicians offer health check-ups via video visits where you can consult them regarding your health condition, ask questions, and request medication changes if required.
You can get in touch with Dr. Arun Villivalam, one of the best doctors in Los Gatos, regarding all your medical prescriptions and get expert advice on any required changes in medication as well. We are currently accepting new patients in Los Gatos, Campbell, Saratoga and surrounding areas. We are also scheduling Medicare preventive visits and physicals. Please call us or send us a message via our patient portal and we will help you schedule the visit.
Most pharmacies are safe and have a drive-by option for your medical prescriptions. You could also take advantage of mail-order services, if available in your area.
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Protect Against All Infections
During a pandemic, it’s critical to maintain safety protocols and keep your hands clean with regular hand washing. Even if you’ve been to a place where all safety measures have been followed, it’s still essential to follow the three Ws:
- Wear a cloth mask over your nose and mouth.
- Wait six feet apart (avoid close contact).
- Wash your hands or use a sanitizer.
Teach and demonstrate proper handwashing techniques to your children, and ensure they’re wearing the mask and handling it properly. You can educate them about the pandemic with related books to understand why it’s essential to take these precautions.
Get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19, if you are eligible, to ward off complications from multiple infections.
Watch out for any signs of infection and contact your doctor if you suspect you might have contracted the virus.
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Educate Yourself on Safety Protocols at Your Healthcare Clinic
Most healthcare clinics are following the highest-level of safety precautions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including pre-visit screening of patients, monitoring all staff for symptoms of COVID-19, paperless registration, cleaning and disinfecting premises as per Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) guidelines, use of masks and protective equipment, and the option of telehealth services.
If you have any questions about safety protocols, have a conversation with your healthcare provider so you feel safe scheduling your visit.
Final Thoughts
You can help build better patient safety processes at your medical clinic by becoming more involved in your care and following all recommended safety protocols.
Start by prioritizing self-care. It’s astonishing to see how many patients forget to prioritize self-care during the pandemic. But, self-care is critical to strengthen your immunity and combat stress. Adequate sleep, exercise, social connections, and other positive habits are vital for your physical, emotional, and mental health.
Have a long-term relationship with your doctor and discuss all health-related queries and conditions so you can stay on top of health even during the pandemic.
You can schedule an appointment with Los Gatos Doc, primary doctors in Los Gatos, Campbell, and Saratoga.
(Disclaimer: We routinely draw upon a review of a few key public health resources to inform our write-ups. Information in this article may be drawn up from multiple public health sources, including:
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- Medline Plus
- National Institutes of Health
- American Medical Association
- American Association of Family Physicians
- Mayo Clinic
- Family Doctor)