HOAF December 2020 Covid-19 Update

As the unfortunate number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise, our priority will remain to keep you, your family, and our staff safe.  We have determined at this time that to lower the potential for exposures, we will need to limit the number of visitors in our office.  We understand the importance of having them with you; however, we must remain diligent in our infection prevention efforts.  

All other visits we ask that you be prepared to attend only.  Our infusion center continues to strictly follow the NO VISITOR policy.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we implement these restrictions.  Keeping you on schedule for your visits and treatments is our number one priority and the best way to ensure this happens is keeping you and our staff safe and healthy. 

As the COVID pandemic continues, our COVID Task Force will continue to evaluate statistics and follow CDC and VDH guidelines.  Visitor restrictions will be lifted when and if it is deemed safe and appropriate.  

HOAF Guidelines on Corona Virus, Covid-19

AN UPDATE REGARDING CORONA VIRUS (COVID 19)
We at Hematology Oncology Associates of Fredericksburg (and Stafford) strive to keep our patients, caregivers, staff and colleagues safe. With growing numbers of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases nationwide and in the state of Virginia, we are following the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for screening and management of patients.

We will be screening our patients for COVID-19 infection by asking:
• Do you or someone close to you have fever, respiratory symptoms, such as a cough and
shortness of breath?
• Have you or someone close to you traveled to an affected geographic area within 2 weeks of
symptom onset, or have you been in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19?

These questions will help us determine whether you should be seen in our clinic or in a setting that is better equipped for this situation (emergency room, etc.) If you answered YES to any of the above questions, please call our office immediately at 371-0079 and follow the prompts PRIOR to your appointment so that we can discuss how best to take care of you.

Again, DO NOT come in for your appointment if you have the above symptoms. If you do come in with these symptoms, you will be asked to return to your car and call our office at 371-0079 for a
telephone assessment so we do not expose other patients and staff.
We must all do our part to help prevent the spread. You can help protect yourself and others by limiting the number of visitors you bring with you to the office, and by avoiding large crowds, other sick individuals, and traveling. Wash hands frequently for 20 seconds, do not touch your face,
avoid handshakes and hugging or kissing.

Please see the updated Visitors policy below.  Now one visitor is allowed for new oncology patient visits, teach appointments, medically fragile and those requiring translation.  We value the support of the caretakers and still want to include them by phone but for now the safety of our patients, staff and families must take precedent.

NO VISITORS

In order to keep our patients and staff safe, we are following CDC guidelines and prohibiting visitors with patients.  Only exceptions include:

• Patient Education Appointment Prior to Beginning Chemotherapy
• Initial New Oncology Patient Visit
• Patients Requiring Physical Assistance
• In Some Cases, Translation Needs (If We Do Not Provide the Translator)

We will allow only one visitor with patients that fall into these exceptions.

Because this is a rapidly changing situation, local public health authorities have updated information regarding travel and other questions. Please contact your local Health Department for any additional questions or concerns or visit www.cdc.gov. Listen to the Corona Virus, Covid-19 HOAF podcast recorded with Dr. Vaughn and our task force, now at: https://www.hoafredericksburg.com/2020/03/23/corona-virus-covid-19-hoaf-response-task-force/.