Pacific Grove Optometric Center
Pacific Grove Optometric Center

COVID-19 Office Protocols

In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, our office is closely monitoring the guidance and recommendations of Governor Gavin Newsom and the State of California, the California Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Monterey County Health Department in order to minimize the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus that causes COVID-19).  As such, we have adopted guidelines and protocols for our office to ensure the health and safety of our patients, staff, and community as a whole.  Please be patient with us as we navigate this ever-changing and challenging healthcare environment.

 

PLEASE NOTE:  On June 15, 2021, the State of Callifornia lifted the mask mandate for vaccinated people in many situations.  However, this change does not affect healthcare settings.  Therefore, we will still require patients to wear a mask while in the office, regardless of vaccination status.

The following roadmap is designed to educate you about our protocols and to help make your visit with us as smooth and safe as possible. 

Before You Leave Your Home…

  • New Patients:  Please download, print, and complete our Patient Registration Packet before you arrive.  Bring the completed packet with you to your appointment.  The packet can be found by clicking here.  You can review our Notice of Privacy Practices by clicking here.  If you do not have access to a printer, we will be glad to send the packet to you or you can come pick one up.  

  • Please reschedule your appointment if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, breathing difficulties or shortness of breath, flu-like symptoms (e.g. chills, aches, sore throat, etc.), or sudden loss of taste or smell. Also, please reschedule if you have or believe you have been exposed to an individual known to have COVID-19 within the last 10 days.

  • Please bring a face mask with you. A face mask must cover the nose and mouth. Properly wearing a face mask is required to enter our office.

  • Only scheduled patients are allowed in the office (unless the patient is a minor or requires the assistance of a caregiver). Please leave family members and friends at home who are not integral to the examination process.

  • Please schedule an appointment for all frame selections and dispenses.  If you should arrive without an appointment, we will be glad to make you a return appointment. Often, these appointments can be made for the same day.

 

When You Arrive…

  • Upon entering our office, your temperature will be taken with a non-contact thermometer. Patients with temperatures equal to or greater than 100.0oF will be rescheduled and encouraged to contact their primary care physician.  You will be asked screening questions.  Your appointment will need to be rescheduled if you answer "yes" to any one or more of these questions.  The questions are as follows:

    • ​Have you or has anyone in your household been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 10 days?

    • Do you have a cough, breathing difficulty, a fever, a sudden loss of taste or smell, or do you have any other flu-like symptoms, including chills, body aches, or sore throat?

  • Please disinfect your hands with the provided hand sanitizer upon entering.

  • Once inside, we will try to make your flow through the office as seamless as possible. Please do not loiter or stand around in common areas. Please do not enter office areas without a staff member accompanying you. As always, do not go into restricted areas.

     

In the Pre-Test Room(s)…

  • Please avoid touching equipment and tables unless instructed to do so, or unless absolutely necessary (e.g. to stabilize a fall, etc.).

  • A staff member may need to come close to you when performing your tests.  Try not to talk during these tests to lessen the chance of respiratory droplet release.  Please warn staff if you are about to cough or sneeze.  Staff members will be wearing masks.  

 

In the Exam Room…

  • Please avoid touching exam equipment and tables unless instructed to do so, or unless absolutely necessary (e.g. to stabilize a fall, etc.).

  • In order to perform an eye exam, the doctor will need to sit close to you.  He will be wearing an N-95 mask. 

  • When assessing prescriptions, it is common for the phoropter (the machine we use to determine your prescription) to fog up when you’re wearing a mask. If this is the case, hypoallergenic medical tape will be provided to help seal the top of your mask and to help minimize moisture escape.

 

In the Dispensary…

  • You are welcome to try on as many frames as you like.  Please set aside all touched frames so they can be sanitized.  All frames are sanitized before they are returned to the optical boards.

  • A staff member may need to come close to you when taking measurements on your frames. Staff members will be wearing masks. Try not to talk during these measurements to lessen the chance of respiratory droplet release. Please warn staff if you are about to cough or sneeze.

 

Preparing to Leave Our Office…

  • Feel free to disinfect your hands with the provided hand sanitizer before exiting the office.

 

Walk-Ins and Pick-Ups…

  • At this time, unannounced walk-ins are not allowed. Please schedule an appointment prior to arriving. If you should arrive without an appointment, we will be glad to make you a return appointment. Often, these appointments can be made for the same day.

What We Are Doing to Help Minimize the Risk of Transmission

  • Patients are scheduled in such a way as to maintain proper social distancing, to avoid too many patients in the office at a given time, and to help patients navigate the office in a smooth and efficient manner.

  • All counters and tabletop surfaces, shared equipment (e.g. pens and clipboards), fixtures (e.g. door knobs and faucet handles), and exam equipment are disinfected regularly and after each patient encounter.

  • Frames are disinfected after each patient use.

  • Staff members are required to wear face masks or face coverings in the office full-time. 

  • Staff members are educated on proper and frequent handwashing protocols, including using soap and hand rubbing for at least 20 seconds, per CDC guidelines.

  • Staff members are screened in the morning upon entering the office.

  • Staff members are instructed to stay home if they exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the last 10 days, or fail the morning screening.

  • Office logs are maintained regarding patient and staff screenings.

  • Patient flow through the office is strictly maintained and enforced. Loitering inside the office is prohibited.

  • Our protocols and guidelines will be constantly evaluated and updated to reflect the changing needs of the office, the changing recommendations of health-related organizations (e.g. CDC, Departments of Health, etc.), and the changing landscape of the healthcare community.

 

If you should have any questions, please feel free to ask a staff member or call us at (831) 375-5184.  Thank you for your patience and understanding during these challenging times.

Ask us about our lenses and lens options!

We proudly offer state-of-the-art lenses and lens options, including scratch coatings and anti-reflective coatings!

Contact Us

505 Lighthouse Avenue #101

Pacific Grove, CA, 93950

 

(831) 375-5184

 

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