Information on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Arizona.
IM Specialist Inc, is dedicated to doing our best to provide a safe and healthy environment for our patients and their families. Due to growing concerns about the potential spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Arizona, and in an effort to keep your family healthy, we are doing all we can to prevent the spread of the disease in our office and our community.
We want to assure you that we are maintaining our high level of cleaning and disinfecting protocols, as well as following all recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control to help prevent the spread of illness.
HOW IS COVID-19 SPREAD?
COVID-19 is spread from person-to-person by respiratory droplets produced when an infected person cough or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory illnesses spread.
Touching a surface where the virus is present. For example, an infected person coughs in their hand and then touches a surface (door handle, counter, etc.) before disinfecting their hands; they have now left that virus on a surface. If a person then touches that surface and rubs their nose, touches their face, eats a piece of fruit, etc. the virus can now infect the 2nd person.
WHAT IS IM SPECIALIST DOING?
- We are continuing a regularly scheduled office cleaning to meet our quality standards as well as those of OSHA and the CDC.
- We have increased the cleaning and disinfecting of high traffic areas, door handles, phones, and other frequently touched surfaces.
- We have provided hand sanitizer at all counters and rooms for those entering and exiting the office, so it is easily accessible to patients and staff.
- We will continue to stay informed by participating in CDC webinars for medical offices and hospitals. We are checking CDC recommendations throughout each day and implementing anything new that might be suggested.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP PREVENT COVID-19 AND OTHER ILLNESS?
- We are asking that you help us keep I M Specialist a healthy environment by following the CDC's prevention recommendations.
- Know the symptoms: Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and may include:
o Fever (any temperature over 100.4)
o Cough
o Shortness of breath
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then dispose of tissue in the trash. If a tissue is not available, then cough or sneeze into your elbow. Avoid coughing into your hands as that will spread germs.
- Please use the provided hand sanitizer when entering and exiting the office.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (sing Happy Birthday or ABCs twice) before eating; after going to the bathroom or changing a diaper; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your face or the face of others unless your hands are clean.
- Be prepared and informed on COVID-19 by obtaining regular updates at www.cdc.gov.
Thank you all for your cooperation.
-Dr. Rashda Kaif, Sueann Ringer FNP-BC and all of our wonderful staff.