LIMITED ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT FOR MEDICALLY NECESSARY CARE

I have received multiple requests from patients for acupuncture treatment.  In following CDC, federal and State of Florida orders, the following policy and procedures have been implemented in considering the patient’s benefits and risks of urgent, emergency care in my clinic.

To limit the exposure of patients and health care personnel to viral illness, only those patients with non-viral, acute health conditions with severe symptoms that put the patient’s immediate health, safety or well-being at risk will be treated with acupuncture.  Acupuncture treatments for chronic conditions, corrective or maintenance care should be postponed until local, state and federal governmental orders for healthcare practitioners and shelter-in-place restrictions are lifted.

The office will continue to perform initial consultations, evaluations, and examinations via telemedicine on a medium such as Facetime, Skype, Zoom, or other telemedicine platform.  Herbal and nutritional medicines may continue to be picked up at the office in the front reception area or mailed.

Office Policy and Procedures:

Patients will be screened for respiratory symptoms upon confirming appointments for treatment.  The patient may report temperature monitoring by phone.

Upon entering the office, patients will be requested to complete and sign a screening questionnaire for potential viral exposure and have their temperature checked.  Any patient with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infections will be asked to leave the premises and seek biomedical urgent care.  Suspected symptoms would include but not limited to fever, cough, shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest.

Patients will be required to utilize alcohol-based hand sanitizer and don facility-provided facemasks when entering clinic to encourage respiratory hygiene for protection the duration of their visit.

Patients will be isolated to separate treatment areas that include private rooms.

The patient will only have immediate contact (within 6 feet) with the physician thus limiting the number of staff providing care.

Progress notes for patient documentation will be left in the individual treatment rooms.  The notes should indicate symptoms of an acute health condition requiring immediate attention.

Patients will be asked to present to the office at their scheduled treatment appointment time.  If arriving early, patients will be asked to wait in their cars until their appointment time.

Patients will not be allowed to loiter in the medical office reception area before or after their treatment.  If herbal medicine is prescribed, it will be placed on a table next to the front door for pick-up.  Patients are to call the office 2-3 days prior to their office visit for herbal or nutritional product refills.  Payment for products or services provided in the office will be collected in advance.  Personal checks or cash may be used for payment by leaving at the front desk.

Best of health,
Dr. Stuart Shipe