Among the flu, colds, and now COVID, cold and flu season can feel like a lot to try and avoid. But don’t worry — you can keep your practice running smoothly and keep everyone healthy with a little preparation.
Let’s go over some practical, easy-to-use steps to help protect your patients and staff this season.
1. Encourage Vaccination
Start by getting your entire work team vaccinated. Get creative! Whether it’s free flu shots, leave days, or raffles, create a culture where vaccination is a top priority.
Get your patients involved as well. Communicate with them about the benefits of getting vaccinated. Use social media channels to spread awareness and circulate information through newsletters. Keep patients updated with reminders about flu shots and any other vaccinations they might need.
2. Infection Control
Cleanliness is one of the best defense mechanisms we have against the spread of viruses. Make sure your practice is well-stocked with soap, sanitizers, and disinfectants.
Encourage everyone — employees and patients alike — to wash their hands and practice good hygiene. You can even create a check-in checklist to use for physical contact.
Similarly, encourage healthy hygiene practices such as wearing a mask if sick. Place sanitizer at doorways and entrances, as well as in bathrooms or break rooms. Display signs instructing patients on how to wash their hands appropriately.
3. Adjust Scheduling
You never know when you’ll get a last-minute call or an unexpected visit, so make sure that your staff is equipped to adapt easily. Consider reassigning tasks to prevent burnout, and aim to have personnel on standby for times when you’re short on staff. This way, you can still provide quality care without sacrificing efficiency.
Having PRN help available is very wise as this time of year also overlaps with the holiday season.
If you’re able to do so, consider scheduling more shifts or extending hours to spread out patients and appointments. Consider adopting pre-screenings and telehealth appointments, too. This way, potential non-emergency situations can be ruled out ahead of time.
4. Communicate
Communication is key to preventing the spread of infection. When preparing patients for their appointments, be sure to communicate the following:
- Health Screening: Let patients know about any health screening questions they should answer before their appointment, like symptoms or illness exposure.
- Arrival Guidelines: Share the protocols they need to follow when they arrive, such as wearing masks or keeping a safe distance.
- Documents to Bring: Remind patients to bring important documents, like their insurance info and medical history forms.
- Arrival Time: Specify the best time to arrive, especially if appointments are staggered to avoid overcrowding.
- Appointment Overview: Give a brief rundown of what to expect during the appointment, including any changes to standard procedures.
- Cancellation Policies: Inform patients about any updated policies for cancellations or rescheduling if they feel unwell or need to adjust their plans.
Another key strategy is creating a system that allows patients to communicate directly with their healthcare providers, which can help reduce waiting times and avoid unnecessary face-to-face interactions.
5. Patient Safety
The first rule of caring for patients is always safety — providing them with a safe and secure environment to communicate. Offering them fast access to the medical attention they need can make all the difference.
Think about adding more virtual healthcare options to make home visits easier. This could include remote checkups and virtual consultations with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare pros.
Conclusion
By taking these steps, you’re ensuring that your practice remains a safe and welcoming environment during respiratory illness season. Stay flexible, review your procedures as needed, and keep the lines of communication open with both your staff and patients.
With the right approach, you can continue providing excellent care while minimizing disruptions. Here’s to a healthy and well-prepared season!
