COVID-19 Protocol

SURVEY
 
You must complete the COVID-19 Survey prior to your appointment.
  
CLINIC DENSITY / SOCIAL DISTANCING :

  • When you arrive at the clinic, call your cell phone once you reach the parking lot and wait your turn to enter.
    We will not accept patients waiting inside the clinic. You have the option of waiting in your car (engine off and windows down) or in the spacious waiting room on the first floor.
    This measure is to respect social distancing and reduce the density of people per m2.
  • Your hands will be disinfected with alcohol gel upon entry.
  • If you would like additional mitigation, we have Face Shields available for $5.
  • Every patient will enter the clinic wearing a mask and will only remove it if their doctor tells them to.
    When removing the mask, speaking is prohibited (until the mask is put on) and you must breathe only through your nose.
    If we all wear masks in the clinic, transmission of the virus is reduced by up to 80%.
DURING THE CONSULTATION:
  • You will need to keep your mask on during your appointment. The doctor will ask you to remove it if it is necessary to examine around your mouth, and you will be asked not to talk while your mask is not on.

    It is known that talking without a mask and without social distancing could transmit the COVID-19 virus in 5-10 minutes. TALKING is a high risk for the transmission of COVID-19. In the specialty of Dermatology, our doctors do not have the LUXURY of maintaining social distancing with the patient.
 
HYGIENE and VENTILATION :
  • The CDC announced in June 2020 that the surfaces and objects are LOW RISK of contracting COVID-19 .
  • However, we will continue to increase our disinfection PROTOCOLS for stretchers, surfaces and equipment used between each patient.
  • The virus is known to be very weak to disinfection. It belongs to the class of envelope viruses. These viruses have a fat envelope that makes them extremely vulnerable to cleaning chemicals such as surfactants (soap and detergents).
    The soaps open the envelope and in 20 seconds they destroy it and inactivate the virus.
  • The soaps and detergents used at The Skin Clinic are:
    • PDI Medical Wipes (the ones we have always used)
    • 1:10 Clorox solution
    • Clorox Wipes
  • Bathrooms, chairs, and clinic handles are cleaned every TWO hours.
  • A UVC light was installed in the air conditioning duct to clean the air that recirculates in the clinic.
  • In addition, we are expecting HEPA filters to arrive in 3 weeks for the most used offices. This measure will be an additional mitigation against COVID-19.
  • We are eliminating the use of internal paper in the clinic to avoid manipulation.
 
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Employees :
  • Reception and Administration : Mask + Face shield
  • Doctors and medical assistants : Mask + face shield + protective glasses + gloves (single use) + change into clean clothes once they arrive at the clinic.
PAYMENTS:
To avoid manipulation, we kindly ask you to pay by online banking or Yappy. However, we still accept payments by credit card.
If you would like to prepay your appointment via ACH to avoid handling money or cards, please let us know.
 
COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS

We are reading all comments and suggestions at citas@theskinclinicpanama.com to address them as they deserve in these times of Pandemic.
 
 
A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU BACK AT THE SKIN CLINIC
 
 
Dr. Anastasia Drohan