COVID-19 Update to Palmetto Infusion Patients from our CEO: New Protocols and CDC Guidelines

Dear Palmetto Infusion Patient,

For more than 20 years, Palmetto Infusion has focused on our vision to restore health and hope. This steadfast vision guides us as we closely monitor, assess and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. As our valued patient, you have our commitment to continue providing you with the medications and services you depend on for your health.

In an effort to keep you informed on updates to our response to this ongoing situation, and as a follow-up to our initial letter sent in March, we would like to make you aware of some updates to our protocols as well as some new guidelines from the CDC.

Enhanced Safety and Hygiene Protocols:

We take great pride in maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene in our clinic and home infusion processes at all times. In addition to the enhanced protocols we’ve previously communicated to you, we have taken further measures developed with recommendations from global and local public health authorities to make our cleaning and hygiene protocols even more rigorous.

1. Patients are being screened at intake for signs and symptoms of infection.
2. Patients are instructed at the time of scheduling to call and cancel their appointment if they are experiencing signs and symptoms of infection.
3. Text messages are being sent to patients 48 hours prior to their appointment to cancel their appointment if they are experiencing signs and symptoms of infection.
4. Employees are screened for fever upon arrival at work and are using separate employee-only entrances where possible so front entrances are reserved for patients.
5. Employees are wearing face masks.
6. Employees are washing hands frequently and utilizing alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
7. Facilities are cleaning frequently touched services with EPA approved germicidal disinfectants for use against novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19.
8. Given the newly-issued guidelines from the CDC regarding the public wearing face coverings, we now recommend that patients wear cloth face masks while receiving infusion treatments within our clinics. The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders. Please be prepared to provide your own cloth face covering or mask. If you are unable to bring in your own mask, we will make every effort to provide you with a medical mask as our supply allows. Click here to learn about the recommendation from the CDC website, which includes instructions on how to make homemade face coverings.

These additional measures have been taken to help mitigate the potential spread of the virus, to support our patients and staff during this challenging time, and to ensure we maintain our ability to serve you, our patient, for the long term.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Many of you may have questions regarding how this situation may affect your treatment. Below are answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

• Question: Is Palmetto Infusion open and operational?
  • Answer: Yes, our clinics are fully operational under our normal hours.

• Question: Should I skip my infusions until this outbreak is over?
  • Answer: When a patient skips treatment, they put themselves at risk of disease breakthrough or a relapse which could result in a hospital admission. It is our goal to treat our patients successfully in our clinics, and avoid hospitalization if possible, knowing our hospitals have begun treating COVID-19 patients.

• Question: What should I do if I have signs or symptoms of infection?
  • Answer: Our Clinical Support Technicians will continue to pre-screen patients for signs and symptoms of infection at the time of scheduling an appointment. Additionally, if you are experiencing signs and symptoms of infection, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, please contact our scheduling department at 1-800-809-1265 immediately. The appointment will not be scheduled until all signs and symptoms have resolved.

• Question: What if I have questions regarding my medications?
  • Answer: Please contact Palmetto Infusion at 1-800-809-1265 and ask to speak with one of our pharmacists about your medication.

• Question: What should I do if I am experiencing fever, cough or other signs of illness and have an upcoming appointment at an infusion center?
  • Answer: Please contact our scheduling department at 1-800-809-1265 to cancel and reschedule your appointment. For your safety and the safety of others, we will not allow anyone in the clinic who is exhibiting signs and symptoms of infection.

• Question: What is my risk of getting COVID-19 at my infusion center?
  • Answer: The staff at Palmetto Infusion is experienced in caring for patients with weakened immune systems, and we have strict infection prevention plans in place to keep patients safe. Infection prevention plans are used all year, every year, to protect patients and healthcare workers from illnesses like the common cold and the flu. Palmetto Infusion’s Infection Prevention Plan includes all of the measures outlined above.

• Question: Should I wear a mask when I am out in public to protect myself from COVID-19?
  • Answer: The CDC has issued new recommendations regarding cloth masks for non-healthcare workers. They are now recommending the public to wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Based on the new CDC recommendation, we suggest that patients wear a face covering while receiving treatments in our clinics as well.
  • The CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.
  • The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance. 
  • Please be prepared to provide your own cloth face covering or mask. If you are unable to bring in your own mask, we will make every effort to provide you with a medical mask as our supply allows.
  • Please click to read the full article from the CDC, which includes instructions on how to make the homemade face coverings: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

• Question: I recently traveled. Can I still receive my infusion treatment?
  • Answer: If you have recently traveled you can still receive your infusion so long as you show no signs and symptoms of infection and you wear facial covering or a mask. In addition, you may be asked to sit in a location that provides greater social distancing.

• Question: How can I protect myself from COVID-19?
  • Answer: The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to use the same everyday strategies recommended to prevent the spread of similar illnesses like the common cold or the flu:
    • Wash your hands frequently.
    • Stay home if you are sick.
    • Practice social distancing.
    • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and immediately throw it away. If a tissue is unavailable, use your bent elbow.
    • Try to avoid touching your face (to keep germs out of your nose, mouth, and eyes).
    • Clean frequently touched surfaces in your home with a household disinfectant.
    • Click here for more information from the CDC on COVID-19 disease prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/index.html

Should you have additional questions, please contact your local clinic, or email us at [email protected].

At Palmetto Infusion, the care and safety of our patients and staff remains our highest priority. We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and will respond quickly regarding any updates to our clinics and processes.

Please stay safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

David Goodall
CEO, Palmetto Infusion

For the latest updates on COVID-19, please visit the CDC’s website or the WHO Website.