Our COVID Protocols & Policies
Our approach to practice in the time of COVID
During this unprecedented time, our hearts have been with the millions of people who’s lives have been effected by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to close our practice, to protect our patients, our team and our community during the initial phase of the outbreak. Since the closure of our city by Mayor Eric Garcetti, we began developing protocols to help keep our patients, and team members safe when we returned to caring for your feet.⠀⠀
Some of these decisions were simple, but many required a thoughtful approach, one based on the synthesis of safety and care without compromising an excellent experience. Because evo has always been about a new approach to the experience in healthcare… one that focuses on the humanity in medicine.
We have changed our scheduling to reduce the volume of patients even further, keeping the office to the minimum number of people. Please do not bring extra people with you, as we will be unable to accommodate them at this time.
Looking to the future, we have invested in advanced air cleaning technologies and implemented solutions that allows for all of our patient onboarding to be completed at home from your own smartphones, tablets or computers. This way when you come to the office, you will not have to touch anything. Our patient support team members will escort you throughout your entire visit, opening doors and assisting you so only our team will have to contact surfaces.
But most importantly, we would like to thank all of our patients and their understanding. We have always considered it a privilege to serve you, and opening our practice again is something that we did not take lightly. It was done with thought, consideration, and focus on excellence. It would not have been possible without your patience.
Surface Sterilization
Although the spread of virus from a surface may vary, and many people wear gloves, we have developed a solution to further protect our patients. Our team will escort patients and open doors to prevent contact with office surfaces. We sterilize contact surfaces with UV light.
Low Volume Practice Model
The higher the density of people in a space, the higher the chances of spreading a virus. To mitigate this, we have further expanded our low volume practice model and changed our scheduling protocol. Also, only the patient and doctor will be permitted in the treatment room.
HEPA Filtration in Rooms
Constant circulation combined with advanced HEPA filtration has been shown to reduce viral infection. The Coronavirus is approximately 0.125 μm (micron) in diameter. A study by NASA in 2016 shows HEPA filters are very efficient –almost 100 % at 0.01 μm – at capturing ultrafine particles below the 0.3 micron HEPA test standard. Although is quite technical, the graph on page 7 explains why. Read more on the NASA Technical Reports Server.
Hand Sanitizer Stations
As doctors we’ve always practice good hand hygiene. Hand washing and sanitizing is by far one of the greatest contributors to a healthy infection free lifestyle. To make this accessible and easy for our patients, we have hand sanitizer stations through out the office.
Our vision of the future
As with most of the flu viruses, we’ve learned to adapt and develop technologies that prevent infection and reduce the effect of the illness, should it happen. With our experience in developing innovative ways of providing our patients with an exceptional experience, evo is in a great position to implement new methods of bringing our care to our patients, and raising the bar once more for what it means to be the practice of the future. We have developed an integrated, UX focused patient engagement system that makes us completely paperless. On this platform we are rolling out a mobile consultation solution that has never been experienced before.
Most importantly, we’re committed to always creating solutions to problems in healthcare that are based on care, and attention to preserving the human experience. We’re optimistic the future is a bright one, and we’re excited to be part of it with you.
Ali Sadrieh