Dear Current and Prospective Patients of Jagare Ridge Vision Care,
We are truly excited to be re-opening our doors to the community and provide you with routine and emergent eye & vision care services once again. We must still be very aware that, although the government of Alberta has begun the re-opening of businesses, we need to be very cautious in our approach to direct patient care and services, to protect our staff, our patients, and our community.
We will be seeing patients based on the urgency of their needs as we re-open
We know that there is a backlog of patients waiting to be seen for their vision care and so we will try to address the urgency of appointments by triaged need. Please be patient as we get to your name on our waiting list, but also feel free to call or email us with your desire for an appointment. Many of you may have different comfort levels for leaving your isolation bubble, which we completely understand, and will wait for you to feel comfortable coming to our office before scheduling in person encounters.
Patients with exposure to COVID-19
At this time, we are NOT able to see patients who have tested positive for COVID-19, who have been exposed to COVID-19 positive patients, or those who are exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Patients at risk
If you are in an “at-risk group” (ex: elderly, immunosuppressed, in a nursing home, etc.) we would suggest you defer routine care until we know the risk of COVID-19 transmission is reduced. Urgent or emergency care will still be provided, but please alert us of your “at-risk state” so we can assure more stringent protocols are carried out when visiting our office.
We will be following all disinfection protocols as outlined by Alberta Health Services and the Alberta College of Optometrists. This will require your cooperation and understanding. You can expect the following protocols to take place when you come to see us:
Every patient that enters our office will be required to sanitize their hands or perform 20 second handwashing with soap and water.
Every patient will be required to wear a face mask prior to entering our office. Please bring your own face mask, and make sure it has been put-on properly with clean hands. Cloth, fabric, surgical, or N95 masks will be accepted. If you do not have a mask to wear, you will be asked to wear one of our surgical masks, or you will not be provided with services. We understand verbal communication may be challenging for some people while wearing masks, so we ask that if you have any concerns with wearing a mask in our office, you alert us PRIOR to your appointment so we can make other arrangements.
We will have social distancing requirements in our office and will aim to restrict the number of patients in our office at any given time. We will need your help to assure social distancing of 2m is maintained. Please leave all unnecessary accompaniments at home. Including children and spouses unless they also have appointments. If it is necessary to bring accompaniments, ie. for translation or as caregivers, then all guests to the office must follow the same protocols.
Please arrive promptly for your appointment, as our schedule will be very specific to allow for minimal exposure to other patients in our office. If there is a predicted wait for your appointment or services, you may be asked to wait in your vehicle until we are ready for you. Please feel free to call us at any point during your waiting time in your vehicle if you have any concerns.
Please leave all personal belongings in your vehicle (ex: coats, backpacks, bags, etc.) unless necessary.
We will need your help to make sure that all forms and information is filled out PRIOR to your arrival in our office.
Our in-take procedures and protocols have changed. We will need your help to make sure that all forms and information is filled out PRIOR to your arrival in our office. Once you book an appointment, we will contact you with all the required information you will need to give us by phone, or by email.
This will allow us to have reduced surface contact in our office (ex: filling out paperwork or using our tablets) and will allow us to reduce the length of time spent inside our office. If you have not filled out the information prior to entering our office, you may be asked to reschedule.
You will need to consent to coming into our office given the potential risks of COVID-19 transmission, despite our best efforts to protect you.
You will need to attest that you have NO symptoms of COVID-19, including shortness of breath, cough, fever, loss of taste or smell.
You will need to attest that you have NOT been diagnosed as positive to COVID-19, nor been exposed to anyone who has tested positive to COVID-19.
Contactless payments
Contactless payment systems will be in place, to the best of our abilities. Amounts outside of the “tap” limits will require chip insertion and pin entry. We will ensure complete disinfection of the terminal after every use. Printed receipts will not be provided and can be emailed if requested / desired.
Contact us
Please reach out to us for any additional questions or concerns you may have, prior to your appointment.
In Good Health,
Dr. Shannon Pennifold and the JRVC team
