October 1, 2009 - Flu Season 2009 Statement

»The directors of the Virginia IVF and Andrology Center, LLC, take seriously the health of its patients and staff and ways in which our facility can assist in optimizing conditions which may contribute to the maintenance of good health. We recognize that the H1N1 flu may bring unique challenges and potential risks not usually present during the traditional flu season. As such, we have adopted steps to help our patients and staff minimize their potential exposure to risk while in our facility.

Information

We strongly advise all staff members to become informed about the H1N1 and seasonal flu. Please visit www.flu.gov for general information. To sign up for emailed updates go to www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

Prevention

The easiest way to avoid infection is to keep personal hygiene in mind at all times and follow these steps:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your upper sleeve
• Wash hands immediately after coughing or sneezing
• When washing hands, use soap and rub hands for at least 20 seconds before rinsing
• Wash hands or use hand sanitizer before and after touching common surfaces
• When using hand sanitizer, thoroughly moisten hands and rub for at least 20 seconds, until hands are dry
• Clean personal work surfaces with disinfectant at least once per day
• Avoid using computers, phones, or items used by other staff or patients. If this cannot be avoided, use disinfectant or hand sanitizer before and after use.
• Avoid unnecessary face to face contact and respect the personal space of others

Staff

Virginia IVF and Andrology Center has provided the seasonal flu vaccine to its staff. All staff members eligible to receive the vaccine were strongly encouraged to take advantage of the vaccine. We are unable to provide the H1N1 vaccine to our staff, at this time, because of the government's decision regarding its distribution; however, we strongly encourage all staff members to be vaccinated as soon as possible. We will assist our staff with the vaccination process whenever possible.

Staff members who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms will be sent home until symptoms abate. A sick staff member can appropriately return to work when fever-free for at least 24 hours without any fever-reducing medications.

Any staff member who is feeling ill while at work will be isolated and masked until such time as the employee is able to leave the facility. Masks are available to all staff members at all times, if requested.

Patients

It is expected that patients with scheduled procedures will be screened to the best of our ability to avoid having patients with flu-like symptoms enter the facility. Each physician should be diligent in determining whether a patient could be sick prior to scheduling any procedures. If a patient becomes sick after the procedure is scheduled, whenever reasonably possible, procedures will be rescheduled until the patient is no longer symptomatic.

In the event that a patient who is exhibiting flu-like symptoms does need to be seen in the facility, the patient will be offered a face mask and hand sanitizer. All staff members who may come into contact with the patient will be requested to wear a face mask. Any rooms or surfaced accessed by the patient will be disinfected prior to access by other patients.

Masks and hand sanitizer is available to all patients, either in common areas or by request.

If you should have additional questions, please feel free to contact us using our online form or by calling us directly at 804-323-9980.

We look forward to serving you.