Initiatives to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19

In ongoing support of regional and state health authorities, we are continuing with these initiatives to help slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Eye Care Specialists remains open for essential medical care.
• As of Monday March 23rd Eye Care Specialists is operating with minimal staff, flex and limited hours that are subject to change.
• Elective procedures have resumed as of May 18th.
• If you have a glasses-related need, or have glasses or contacts to pick up, please give our office a call to schedule an appointment with us. Our optical department will no longer operate on a walk-in basis. Our opticians are sanitizing every frame after it is worn and are sanitizing all surfaces between each patient to maintain a sanitary space.
• We are closely following the guidelines for COVID-19 provided by the Centers for Disease Control and the Washington Department of Health. Keys to our success are based on education, cleaning, screening, and respiratory etiquette.
• Daily educational updates provided to staff.
• Frequently cleaning common areas and disinfecting all shared surfaces before and after use.
• Screening patients prior to appointments. Updated automated reminders that include screening information, in addition to staff making every effort to contact patients personally prior to any appointment.
• Screening patients and employees as they enter our clinics and surgery center to confirm they are healthy and can safely proceed with their visit or surgery.
• Rescheduling or sending home any staff, patients, or visitors if they are experiencing fever, cough, or shortness of breath, or have been in close contact with an individual with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
• Encouraging all staff and visitors to wash their hands and providing hand sanitizer.
• Enforcing social distancing whenever possible and limiting talking during eye exams.
• Requesting no visitors to accompany patients at their appointment or surgery, unless absolutely necessary.
• Discontinuing beverage service to minimize contact with hard surfaces to reduce the spread of infection.
• Removing magazines from our waiting room areas.
• Removing all toys and books from the play room.

In summary, please follow these recommendations to protect yourself and others:

• If you feel sick and have any of these symptoms, fever, cough, trouble breathing, please contact our office at (509)758-8811 to cancel your appointment.
• If you have been in contact with anyone diagnosed with, or potentially exposed to COVID – 19, please contact our office at (509)758-8811 to cancel your appointment.
• Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• If you have any serious symptoms like trouble breathing, dial 9-1-1 to reach local emergency services.
• For additional information, we recommend visiting the CDC Website, the Washington State Department of Health website.

Things to expect at your visit to our clinic:

• Face coverings are required due to the new state law to protect patients, employees, and visitors. Face coverings or masks are required at all times.
• Social Distancing: Please do not arrive too early for your appointment in order to keep waiting rooms clear.
• Screening: Any person entering the building at the main entrance will be screened to ensure you can safely proceed with your visit.
• Visitors: No visitors will be allowed, unless a caregiver or guardian is needed.