HOAF COVID-19 Vaccine in the News
Click through to read about the first patient to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at our practice!
Dr. Moore joins HOAF Ownership!
Dr. Moore joined HOAF as a physician in 2017 and we are proud to announce that she has joined the ownership team at HOAF, becoming the first woman owner among our five partners. Read more in a recent Health Brief from the Freelance Star.
COVID-19 Patient Vaccines Launch March 17
We are excited to announce that we now have the COVID-19 vaccine to administer to our patients. If you are a current HOAF patient, email covid19tf@hoafredericksburg.com or call 540-371-0079 extension 181 to schedule your vaccine appointment.
Covid-19 Vaccine Update
HOAF currently does not have the Covid-19 vaccine available for administration. We continue to work with the Virginia Department of Health and will schedule patients once we have obtained it. Please know that we will keep you updated and will communicate through email and our website as soon as we are able to provide the vaccine.
Patients 65 and older can register for the vaccine through the department of health here: https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=9YKFTTY3TA.
All Virginia residents can sign up for pre-registration here: https://vaccinate.virginia.gov/?fbclid=IwAR1ga4a74WEysQmkmLWpFLk64HZaMdiqSrKWLEHQwplqPhRyMPuqCI9N_Vs
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.
Effective 12/21/2020, we are allowing visitors for the following visits ONLY:
- New Oncology Office Visits
- Patient Education Visit
- Biopsy Reviews
- Office Scan Review
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 Covid-19 Update: Task Force, Response, and Safety
HOAF Covid-19 Update: Task Force, Response, and Safety
Host, Dr. Vaughn, is joined by the HOAF Covid-19 Task Force members in a conversation that speaks to the immediate community, patients, staff, and ideas for other independent practices to consider as they treat patients during a pandemic. Listen through to hear their roundtable discussion and get answers to questions sent by the HOAF community through our Facebook page.
Dr. Vaughn: Welcome to Cancer Shop Talk, Behind the Diagnosis. I am your host, Dr. Christopher Vaughn, Physician and Owner at Hematology Oncology Associates of Fredericksburg in Virginia. We are redefining the conversations about cancer through the lens of an independent oncology practice. Thank you for joining us.
Today we are recording a follow-up podcast episode focused on the Coronavirus, COVID-19, and how we have supported our patients and community during this time. This podcast was recorded on October 12 of 2020. Please check our website, hoafredericksburg.com for the most recent information.
READ MOREAn Update Regarding Corona Virus (Covid-19) 10/22/2020
We at Hematology Oncology Associates of Fredericksburg (and Stafford) strive to keep our patients, caregivers, staff and colleagues safe. We are actively following the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for screening and management of patients.
We will be screening our patients and visitors for COVID-19 infection by asking:
• Have you had any fevers, respiratory symptoms, such as a cough and
shortness of breath, chills?
• Have you or anyone in your family test positive for COVID-19?
- If yes, when? Our current protocol requires anyone who has tested positive to have ONE negative test prior to their return to the office, OR you tested positive greater than 12 weeks ago.
These questions will help us determine whether you should be seen in our clinic, if a telehealth visit is appropriate, or if you should be seen by our acute Advanced Practice Provider through our outside COVID-19 triage area.
If you answered YES to any of the above questions prior to your arrival, please call our office immediately at 371-0079 ext 181 and discuss your symptoms or COVID-19 status. Again, DO NOT come in for your appointment if you have the above symptoms.
We ask all patients and visitors to wear your mask for the ENTIRE visit whether you are seeing the doctor, coming in for labs/injections, or receiving treatment. Please do not pull down your mask at any time as this increases the risk for exposures, even when alone.
Current Visitor Policy: Patients and ONE visitor is allowed for office visits should you feel that it is necessary. We can offer the use of facetime or phoning in for your family members if you are able to attend alone. Our goal is to reduce the risk of exposure for all patients, family members, visitors, and staff.
Chemotherapy and Infusion Visits are still PATIENT ONLY. No visitors allowed. Exceptions would be patients requiring translation services and those patients that need additional physical assistance.
Our visitor policy is subject to change as we continue to follow the CDC and VDH guidelines.
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, and wear your mask when out in public.
Telehealth – Virtual Appointments through Doxy.Me
In order to prevent any unnecessary risk to our patient population, the providers at Hematology Oncology Associates of Fredericksburg (HOAF) have agreed to incorporate virtual visits when appropriate. These visits will work through a platform called “Doxy.me”. Please visit hoaf.doxy.me for your scheduled appointments.
Once you are on the homepage enter the name of the physician/NP that you are meeting with and select “Enter Room”. If you have any questions or issues accessing your virtual appointment please call our office at 540-371-0079.
Corona Virus, COVID-19 HOAF Response & Task Force
Corona Virus, COVID-19 HOAF Response & Task Force
Learn how HOAF is keeping our patients and community healthy and safe during Corona Virus, Covid-19. Dr. Vaughn interviews the HOAF Corona Virus task force to gain a deeper understanding of the virus, share how HOAF prepared and our current protocols, provide recommendations for other clinics during the pandemic, and answer questions from the community submitted via Facebook.
Dr. Vaughn: Today, we are recording a special podcast episode, focused on the Corona Virus, COVID-19, and how we are supporting our patients and community during this time. This podcast was recorded on March 17th, 2020. Please check our website, HOAFredericksburg.com for the most recent information. I’m very comforted to be here today with our task force team who have been working non-stop to develop appropriate procedures and policies to help our patients through this unpredictable and anxious time. I’m going to let them introduce themselves.
Continue reading Corona Virus, COVID-19 HOAF Response & Task ForceHOAF 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/.
