Letter to Providers Regarding COVID-19

April 6, 2020
April 6, 2020 Category:  General News

Dear Provider,

In light of the potential surge of patients with the novel coronavirus and as part of our VPS Infectious Plan Task Force response to COVID-19, Valley Perinatal Services (VPS) will be taking additional precautions to protect our patients, staff and providers. As such, we are implementing numerous policy and operational changes to identify and restrict the spread of the Coronavirus.

Effective immediately, the following locations in the East Valley will be temporarily closed:

• Mesa
• Gateway
• Scottsdale

All patients from the above-mentioned locations will be rerouted to either the Chandler, Glendale, Phoenix, or Estrella offices. All consults, NST’s, and blood draws will also be rescheduled. Movement will be restricted within the operating clinics to ultrasound and procedural appointments. At this time patients will not be allowed to have guest(s) accompany them into their appointments. Guest(s) must remain outside the clinic or within their vehicles. Additional screening measures including patient temperature checks have been implemented to identify potential cases of COVID-19 or other infectious diseases.

We are reducing the in-office services when possible and will be offering telemedicine for professional services to minimize exposure of COVID-19 to patients, team members and providers. VPS will provide consults and visits with patients via tele-medicine through a HIPAA compliant application, such as Cisco WebEx, for any patient communications. If patients do not have access to Cisco WebEx or any other HIPAA compliant application, then telephonic communication may be utilized at the discretion of the provider through the company’s trackable audible system 3CX.

Please be aware that this situation is evolving rapidly, and the information may change. We are continuously monitoring the updated information from the CDC, the Arizona Department of Health Services and the WHO. The Arizona Department of Health Services, in alignment with the World Health Organization, currently recommends airborne precautions. In accordance with the World Health Organization and the lack of evidence for airborne transmission, the Arizona Department of Health services recommends that health care providers:

Use gowns, gloves, N95 masks, surgical mask (droplet protection), and eye protection (goggles or face shield) for normal care of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases. When in a room with a patient with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 it is NOT NECESSARY to place a suspected or confirmed patient in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR). A private room with a closed door is acceptable.

VPS truly appreciates and thanks all of our referring providers for the trust you place in us and for allowing us to participate in the care of your patients. We are available to answer any questions or to assist your practices as you navigate these challenging times. VPS will keep you informed regarding future relevant recommended actions that we take that could help protect patients and providers from the Coronavirus.

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