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MESSAGE TO PATIENTS
ABOUT COVID
-19


With the outbreak of the coronavirus, when booking an appointment, we ask that you PLEASE let the staff know if you have a fever or new / worsening cough. To avoid the potential spread of infection, DO NOT go to the clinic without first calling. This will help our staff to do the right things to care for you and for the other people in the clinic at that time. We can provide phone or video call to assess your situation and provide further instructions. We appreciate your help in this matter and look forward to keeping our clinic a safe place for all.

COVID-19 is placing stress on Canada’s public health system. Our clinic is starting to offer virtual care to make sure that we can continue to care for our patients safely and effectively. This means that we will be using video and audio technologies for some patient visits rather than asking all patients to come into our office. Some of these technologies are provided by the Province. Others have been provided by vendors like Google, or Apple to help make discussions with your care provider as easy as possible during these difficult times. Some health concerns can be addressed with virtual care alone, but in some cases your doctor may ask you to visit a hospital or other health care facility if necessary, for a physical examination.

We do our best to make sure that any information you give to us during virtual care visits is private and secure, but no video or audio tools are ever completely secure. There is an increased security risk that your health information may be intercepted or disclosed to third parties when using video or audio communications tools. To help us keep your information safe and secure, you can:

You should also understand that electronic communication is not a substitute for in-person communication or clinical examinations, where appropriate, or for attending the Emergency Department when needed (including for any urgent care that may be required).

If you are concerned about using video or audio tools for virtual care, you can ask our office to arrange for you to visit a different healthcare provider or other health care center where you can be seen in person. However, please note that visiting a health care provider in person comes with a higher risk of coming into contact with COVID-19 and the possibility of spreading the virus.

By providing your information, you agree to let us collect, use, or disclose your personal health information through video or audio communications (while following applicable privacy laws) in order to provide you with care. In particular, the following means of electronic communication may be used (identify all that apply): email, videoconferencing (including Skype, Facetime, etc.), text messaging (including instant messaging), website/portal, other (specify).


"As soon as I had escape the heavy air of Rome and the stench of its smoky chimneys, which when stirred poured forth whatever pestilent vapours and soot they held enclosed, I felt a change in my disposition."

- Seneca

"Let food be thy medicine, thy medicine shall be thy food."

- Hippocrates

"If you could tomorrow morning make water clean in the world, you would have done, in one fell swoop, the best you could have done for improving human health by improving environmental quality."

- William C. Clark

 


Ottawa Environmental Health Clinic © 2020