As more and more COVID-19 hot spots are popping up across the country, doctors and patients continue to take significant precautions when scheduling those medical appointments. Due to the nature of some appointments, these safety measures are imperative. Eye exams, for example, which require that the patient be in close proximity to the ophthalmologist, have been routinely postponed if they are not an emergency situation.
Dentists are also being urged to take greater precautions. According to the American Dental Association, dental professionals face a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. Fotinos Panagakos, Ph.D., vice dean of administration and research at West Virginia University, explained how they could contract the coronavirus.
“In dentistry, many of the procedures that we do require using a handpiece to drill a tooth, or an ultrasonic scaler to clean the teeth,” Panagakos told Dentistry Today. “The water used can form an aerosol. If you aerosolize something, it’s going to end up in the air. You can just imagine what that means if a patient is carrying the virus.”
Dental offices need to consider these risks when scheduling medical appointments, as Cyn Gagen found out as she prepared to head in for a dental extraction. “I have to wait in the parking lot and call to let them know I’m there. They’ll let me know when they’re ready for me to come in. I have to wear a mask, they’ll provide one [sic] if needed, and use hand sanitizer upon entry. Payment will only be contactless, no cash,” she explained to Mom.com.
Virtual doctor's appointments
Navigating prenatal appointments
Pregnancy should be one of the happiest times in a woman’s life. During a global pandemic, it can be fraught with additional concerns. To ensure both mom and baby stay healthy for the duration of the pregnancy, the CDC recommends that pregnant women keep their prenatal and post-partum appointments if possible. It is recommended that they consult their obstetrician with any COVID-19 concerns. Physicians may choose to stagger appointments or meet virtually depending on your situation.
Cyn — who we spoke to earlier about her upcoming dental visit — also shared the experiences of her daughter, who is expecting and will have a midwife-attended birth. “For her OB and midwife appointments, they’ve been spacing them out with making every other one a phone or video appointment. When she does go for in-person appointments, she has to go alone, wear a mask, and they have hand sanitizer at the entrance for everyone,” she told Mom.com. Her daughter’s husband will be able to attend the final prenatal appointment.
Can I visit someone in the hospital?
Hospitals across the country have had to make changes to their visitor and companion policies. While policies vary by hospital and medical facility, many are screening visitors. This includes ensuring visitors are wearing cloth face coverings, taking their temperature, and limiting or prohibiting visits to high-risk patients. Policies can change at any time so it’s always a good idea to call ahead.
