Moving Forward Back To Normal

4/28/2020

All Tennessee COVID executive orders effecting how we do business in our state have been allowed to expire.  So we will be moving to even more normal business practices.  With that said diligence and awareness are still wise.  

We encourage all staff that are willing to get vaccinated For COVID 19, though we respect your rights to choose if your vaccinated, we will be moving forward with opening up fully in the coming weeks.

At Work 

Review Client COVID 19 Page here

• We still ask all employees to monitor for COVID like symptoms, and to self check temperatures at home if any concern.  
• Increase hygiene practices—wash hands more frequently, avoid touching face, practice good respiratory etiquette when coughing or sneezing, an use available hand sanitizer frequently.
• Wearing a cloth face covering is now optional for staff.  
• Practice recommended social distancing to the greatest extent possible— “Further is safer”  Our exam rooms are the most challenging areas to do this so as much as possible stay across the exam table form clients.  There is more researching showing minimal to no increased risk at 3 ft as 6ft.  Still no need to be up in cleints and team mates personal space for extended periods of time.
• Daily cleaning and disinfection practices are to continue as they always have, with continued disinfection of the exam rooms between clients, and then with regular sanitization of high-touch surfaces , such as front door, reception counters, and door knobs,  at least every two hours.

Current Procedures 

Our open hours will remain 7:30-5:30.  There are no plans to return to evening hours at this time.  

Walk in nail trims and anal glands are encouraged to be by appointment, but not declined as long as client understands there may be a wait.  

Anal Gland and nail trims are now to be scheduled Assistant appointments.  We will need to retrain our clients, so they will need to be informed of the policy change when they call, or as they might walk-in, that in the future for quicker service appointments are preferred.  Tell them we say that we had a recurring problem of a high number of walk in request come in at the same time, and this made wait times longer for all clients so by making appointments we hope to minimize their wait times. 

On the phone, email, or walk-in Clients should continue to be made aware of the following. 

• Directed to our website for current policies and procedure changes.
• We ask only one adult client is allowed in the building per visit, only exception is for euthanasia, but we also will be flexible, we do not want to make clients angry if they insist on more than one adult in the room. 
• Clients are not required to wear face mask.  
• Clients not comfortable in the office or rooms with unmasked staff may elect curbside service, or we simply wear mask with them in a room if requested.  
• Clients can wait in the lobby and use the seating, but if over crowded clients should be asked to wait in their car.  
• At check in ask clients if they want to wait in the lobby or outside, continue to use pager or text service to alert clients their room is ready. 
• For clients waiting in the car, give a pager or confirm a text number so we can message or call them when the room is ready.  If that is not an option staff are to go get the client when the room is ready for them.  Please also note the type and color of the car on the room card if clients are waiting to facilitate us finding them when its their turn. 
• We will be returning to electronical signed consent forms in the coming weeks.
• Kids area in the lobby was rarely used so there is no plans to bring that back. -  Please be mindful and offer the kids coloring books, treat bag and distractions in the rooms. 
• Refreshments will remain discontinue in the lobby for the foreseeable future.
• Continue to minimize direct contact with owners, and Social Distance 3- 6 ft as much as possible when talking to clients.
• Keep your distance from clients, but do not be rude.  
• Continue to limit or avoiding hands with clients, but if you fell safe to do so or give a Hug then they probably need that, and your welcome to do so.  
• Continue to Wash your hands a lot, after washing use a small amount of hand sanitizer.   It is still expected that you will wash and sanitize your hands after each visit or client contact. 

Let us not worry, but be vigilant, and mindful and move to more normal living.  

At this time, we need to remind each of you there is no eating down stairs, except in the Doctor office.  Meals should be consumed in the break room only.  This is intended to reduce risk as well.  In the even there is snacks or treat they will be allowed to be left and consumed at the counter in the exam hall closest to the staff entrance.  All drinks are to be kept covered with a lid.  

Continue to Pray, often and with sincerity for those affected, and out country.  This will pass as all challenges do. 

If any concerns or questions please reach out to me or your team leads.  

Dr Mike Hatcher.