Updates to fertility care access during COVID-19
In early April, Governor Cuomo and the NYS Department of Health issued a health advisory designating reproductive health services, including fertility services, as “essential,” allowing for continuation of care when deemed safe and appropriate by healthcare providers. Then, on April 24, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) also updated their guidelines regarding the safe resumption of patient care.
Resuming fertility care
At Extend Fertility, we are fully committed to maintaining and protecting the health and safety of our patients and staff, and to doing our part in preventing the spread of COVID-19. At the same time, we know that fertility treatment is time-sensitive, and we take very seriously the grief and anxiety associated with not being able to access care.
With both of these priorities in mind, we have established new policies and protocols that will allow us to safely resume fertility services for anyone interested in beginning or continuing fertility treatment, effective immediately.
Summary of COVID-19 policies
- Our team, including doctors, nurses, and support staff, will check their temperature each day before interacting with any patients or other staff.
- We will check the temperature of every patient and screen them for possible illness or exposure before treating them.
- Patients will be asked to sanitize or wash their hands immediately upon entering the office.
- Staff and patients will wear masks at all times while in the office. If you arrive at the office without a mask, you will be provided with one.
- Consultation and follow-up appointments will be held via phone or video conference whenever possible.
- We will strictly limit the number of patients in the waiting room at any one time. Patients are encouraged to wait for their appointment outside the office if possible.
- We kindly ask that partners and visitors wait for patients outside the office, to reduce the traffic within our space.
- Staff and patients will maintain a 6-foot distance from each other at all times, except when absolutely necessary (such as when drawing blood or performing an exam or procedure). The floors are marked to designate 6 foot spacing.
- All treatment areas and exam rooms will be fully sanitized between patients. Other areas of the office will be sanitized once per hour at minimum.
- All monitoring or fertility assessment visits will be scheduled at least 15 minutes apart, to reduce office traffic and to allow our staff time to sanitize between each patient.
