Curbside check-in for patients during COVID-19 in our podiatry office

Dr. Michele McGowan and Dr. Timothy Henne from the Center for Ankle and Foot Care sharing their experiences during their transition back from Spring Break 2020 walking into the Pandemic COVID-19 seeing patients, helping facilitate kids virtual learning and keeping patients, staff, children and selves safe.

Virtual school
First, we have to say our children's school has been amazing during this time. They had let all parents know before spring break that they were going virtual after the break.  As promised, Monday they were up and ready to go.  The teachers are also hitting it out of the park.  Lesson plans seem back on track and having kids in elementary, middle and high school all at the same facility, it is amazing to see how well they teachers and school are pulling it all together.

Forced Family Fun Time or FFFT
Forced family fun time, our children would tell you is not new for our family during the Coronavirus.  We have been practicing FFFT for quite sometime.  Once our older children got cell phones we have been vigilant that they do not become phone zombies.  We think they like hanging out with us but we still every day have planned or on the fly activities that we make all 3 children participate, even if it's just a movie. (I know that is still a screen but we are looking at it together at least.) And this isn't a parenting blog but we also sit and have dinner together as a family every night.  It is always fun and entertaining but I think really important now more than ever to just sit with your kids and discuss the day and how they are feeling.

Curbside check in
So we had no real idea if curbside check in would actually work.  It is going really well.  I think almost every one has a cell phone. Our older patients are figuring things out pretty easily.  We really did just make up things as we were going, using common sense really comes in handy sometimes!

Curbside check-in benefits:

• Decreases people congregating in a waiting room setting
• Gives staff and doctors the ability to control flow of getting patient in a clean room
• Limits patient contact with other patients in hallway and check out desk
• Gives patients the confidence that we are going above and beyond to keep them safe

Cleaning the office

We did find it weird that some of the other doctors offices started to reassure patients that they were taking special measures to keep things cleaner when the COVID-19 became apparent it was going to have an impact on us all.  What?? Didn't they clean their offices before? Listen, your doctors office should always have been cleaning treatments rooms between patients with supplies that are meant to kill germs, bacteria and different flu strains.  It is a doctors office, there is no confidence in an office that states, "Now we are cleaning thoroughly." That wouldn't be a sell for me as a patient.  

Employees dedication

I can not begin to thank my employees enough.  If you have been to our office you have met Diana and Reshanda.  In these uncertain times, we understand and respect employees taking off time to be with their families, socially isolate, self quarantine and stay home.  I think these measures are important to help decrease the spread of the coronavirus.  That all being said, we are happy to have people that are helping us in the trenches.  It makes our lives and our patient lives so much better.  We just wanted to publicly acknowledge that we truly appreciate you!!!!

Be prepared as a patient when you go to the doctor

• If you are new, have your insurance cards ready, or email prior to visit
• If you have a copay, have it ready decreasing your time and interaction with others
• Use the million of different types of hand gel and foams we have around the office
• Don't steal supplies from the doctors offices, like gloves, we need them

What not to touch in public

• I am a germaphobe, do DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING
• Avoid pushing elevator buttons
• Avoid door handles 
• Common sense prevails always, wash your hands and use hand sanitizer
• DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE!!!!!!!
• DON'T TOUCH YOUR SHOES!!!!

Lastly, we are busy parents and doctors, we are filming these little videos, obviously not editing them:)It is a first take scenario and what you see is what you get, LOL.  This video is what our kids would say was our "OK BOOMER!" moment.  Our light went out so we were done. I hope some of our information is either helpful or slightly entertaining.  Stay safe everyone!