Learn how Atlanta Spine Specialists is protecting our patients and staff from COVID-19. Plus some information you need to stay safer and healthier at home!
At Atlanta Spine Specialists, nothing is more important than the trust our patients place in us to offer you optimal care. This means always using the best medical procedures, state-of-the-art equipment, and office protocols to provide the best possible outcomes. While much has changed in our world during these very challenging times, our commitment to doing everything we can to ensure our patients are safe and healthy will not.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have enhanced our safety protocols, patient interactions, and cleaning procedures to further protect our patients and our staff. We are closely monitoring the situation as it changes daily, following the guidance of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and addressing any issues immediately in order to continually reduce the risk to those who trust their medical health to our team.
Helping you stay safe and healthy
Patients will notice changes in our waiting room procedures, as well as how our staff interacts with each patient. We ask that everyone be gracious and patient, as we are committed to giving every patient the best possible care. Patients will be asked to maintain appropriate social distancing while in our waiting areas and treatment rooms.
The waiting room and common areas are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected regularly, and all of our exam rooms and the surgical center are sanitized after each patient. We will continue to screen every patient and all staff for any symptoms of coronavirus. Currently, no member of our staff has any known exposure to COVID-19.
If you are not experiencing symptoms of coronavirus and you wish to decrease your risk of contracting this disease, here are a few tips to strengthen and protect your immune system:
Maintain a healthy, balanced diet
Get enough sleep
Exercise regularly
Wash your hands multiple times each day for at least 20 seconds each time
Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue away
Do not leave masks, gloves, used wipes, or tissues around or in public spaces; throw them away
Do not share food, drinks, cups, or utensils
Avoid shaking hands
What is Medical Distancing
Medical distancing refers to enhanced treatment protocols put in place to protect both patients and medical staff. In facilities actively treating COVID-19 patients, this generally means the practice of separating non-COVID positive patients from COVID positive patients. This is very important as many local hospitals and other medical facilities have had to dedicate certain resources and reorganize their infrastructure to more effectively manage the treatment of COVID-19 positive patients while also protecting those not infected with the virus.
For us, “medical distancing” is a bit different. We have enhanced our procedures to protect our staff from possible interaction with the virus. However, we have not and are not treating COVID-19 patients here, and we are not treating any patients at hospitals or other medical facilities that may be used to treat COVID-19 positive patients.
We respect the phenomenal work being done by our medical colleagues, but our mission remains to help our patients get free from pain and live a better quality of life. That means any patient with COVID-19 symptoms will not be treated in our office. Patients with these symptoms also seeking pain treatment are welcome to call our telemedicine line. We will help in any way we can, while continuing to protect all our patients and staff.
Know the Symptoms of COVID-19
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The CDC believes these symptoms appear in a few days after being exposed to someone with the disease, but they may not manifest for as many as 14 days after exposure: For some people, the symptoms of coronavirus are very similar to a cold. For others, the symptoms are quite severe and could be life-threatening.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, contact your primary healthcare provider and follow their instructions. In addition, stay home, avoid public spaces, and limit the potential of spreading the virus.
Other Important COVID-19 Facts
If you are following the news, you have likely heard the phrase “flatten the curve.” This does not mean we will stop the virus. Because there is currently no known immunity to this novel coronavirus, we will not “stop” the spread. However, we may be able to slow the rate of infection, so that our medical infrastructure has the resources to properly and effectively care for patients who have been infected or may be at greater risk.
Fighting COVID-19, for many hospitals and other medical facilities, means dedicating significant resources that would otherwise be used to treat other patients. That also means anyone working at these facilities is at greater risk of contracting or spreading the disease. This, again, is why our staff does not treat patients anywhere except at our dedicated offices and Windward Surgical Center.
If all of us, working together, are successful in slowing the rate of spread (flattening the curve), we may still see spikes in the rate of new cases later this year. We need to continue to be careful and vigilant even after life returns to relative normalcy.
During these especially challenging times, as in all others, Atlanta Spine Specialists will continue to keep your health and safety as our highest priority as we work every day to help our patients get back to life free of pain. If back, neck, or joint pain is affecting your quality of life, click here or call (770) 844-3242 for an appointment.
In the meantime, check back here daily, as we continue to update our website with new videos and new COVID-19 information.