WE WELCOME YOU BACK

At present time risk of COVID-19 infection (COVID) decreased significantly to restart infertility treatments with vigilance and steps for safe practices to minimize risks for patients and staff in compliance with New York regulations.

Even though we are resuming treatments, all patients will be given a choice to proceed or to postpone treatment. Patients will be educated on how to reduce risk of COVID infection while returning to (almost) normal daily life when New York leaders will begin reopening New York City on June 8, 2020.

Important Safety Applications for Patients and Staff:
Our waiting room is specious, but limitation of persons simultaneously present in the office is essential. To manage patient flow and to keep waiting to a minimum you may be asked to wait outside until exam room is available with restricted office access for partners and accompanying persons.

Six Feet Social Distancing policy will continue in the office, including waiting room and working spaces to guarantee appropriate distancing between each waiting patient and visitors to avoid unnecessary human physical contact or exposure.

Protective desk screens were installed for administrative personnel protection. Personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical staff and facemask wearing for all persons is mandated while in the office.

Exam rooms and procedure rooms are thoroughly sanitized and disinfected between patients with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (UOA) N- Listed Disinfectants Against SARS-CoV-2 and with UV lights.

Office Visits:
We reduce person-to-person contact and potentially COVID exposure with appointments including sonograms and blood tests scheduled according to revised, shorter timetables and with virtual visits using telemedicine and/or phone- calls treatment for patients who do not require physical presence in the office.

At each visit, patient will have temperature taken and she will complete triage questionnaire. Patients with ill or respiratory symptoms will self-isolate at home and see primary care physician (PCP)

COVID Testing Before Procedures Policy (based on CDC guidelines):
Patients with prior history of positive test for COVID need to wait a minimum of 21 days after testing positive and be symptom free to undergo pre- procedure testing. Patients, who have recovered from the previous COVID infection, need to present certified medical clearance before starting infertility treatment.

All patients must be tested no more then three days prior to procedure for COVID virus using a molecular assay for detection of the virus.

Patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA:
A. Acutely ill persons (patients or staff) will be directed to Lenox Hill Hospital Emergency Room
B. Symptomatic patients/staff (with Temp >100.4 F, sniffles, congestion, cough, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, diarrhea, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell) but who are not acutely ill or asymptomatic positive testing patients/staff return home to self-isolate, and to sdiscuss COVID treatment options with their primary care physician (PCP)

All preoperative patients who tested negative will maintain self-isolation/self-quarantine at home from the time of testing until the time of procedure. Procedures will not be performed for patients who refuse testing.

Embryo Transfer Policy:
Embryo transfers will be performed only in patients who tested negative, and who together with their partners are COVID- low risk and asymptomatic. Treatment can be discontinued if patient or partner encounters a high-risk situation.

Freeze-all embryos policy will apply for all patients and/or partners who became symptomatic after oocyte retrieval.

Day of Procedure:
Patients scheduled for procedures will arrive at intervals; one patient arriving at a time and therefore being on time is very important. Accompanying family members will be limited to a single individual, including patient‘s partner. Office procedures will undergo with the minimum staffing required to ensure excellent care for all patients and safe work environment.

After Procedure Considerations:
Patient’s family member or an adult responsible for taking discharged patient home must practice social distancing and wear facemask during pick- up. Patient and family will self- monitor daily for COVID symptoms:

(Temp >100.4 F, sniffles, congestion, cough, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, diarrhea, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell) listed in discharge instruction and call office if symptoms develop within 14 days of the procedure.

Our staff will make after procedure follow-up phone calls inclusive of review signs and symptom of COVID, inquire about any contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID, or a person with symptoms consistent with COVID, and or a person with positive test for COVID.

We will follow-up patients for three weeks after oocyte retrieval and/or embryo transfer in order to identify potential COVID positive patients and to implement necessary measures (i.e. contact tracing).

At Home, Please:
1. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
2. Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, electronics and counters, daily
3. Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, towels, bedding and other household items
4. Minimize trips away from the home as much as possible