Belcara Health
1427 Clarkview Rd, Suite 300
Baltimore, Maryland 21209
Phone: (410) 296-0414
Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.–1 p.m.

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Belcara Health’s Response to Re-opening for Elective Procedures

We’d like to thank the Belcara Health community including our patients, staff, physicians, and partners for your loyalty, support, and understanding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our priority remains the health and safety of our patients and internal team, as well as, the overarching health of the greater Baltimore community. We have been working diligently over the past month to identify measures that must be taken in order to begin the process of re-opening our doors as part of Governor Hogan’s Road to Recovery plan.

On May 6th, 2020, Governor Hogan announced the resumption of elective medical procedures with direction provided by the Maryland Department of Health. This amendment allowed Belcara Health to re-open its doors for elective, non-urgent procedures, with the caveat that we use our professional discretion and ensure our facilities are armed with the highest levels of protection against any possible spread of the virus. These measures include providing PPE for all of our staff members, developing protocols to screen patients and staff prior to entering our facility, identifying which services can be delivered via telemedicine, and other recommendations based on the Infection Control Guidance put forth by the CDC.

We are proud to announce the enactment of all recommended measures and excited to welcome our patients back to our facilities. 

 

Staff and Facility Safety Protocols 

Throughout the implementation of the Maryland Road to Recovery plan, Belcara Health will update this page with information regarding the safety protocols implemented in order to provide the highest level of safe care to our patients. While Belcara Health may look a little different during this slow re-opening, the same level of care for each and every patient remains at the epicenter of our mission.

Below, you will find a breakdown of the protocols we are taking in our facilities, with our staff, and with our patients.  

Clarkview Surgery Center Protocols

Below are the internal steps the Clarkview Surgery Center is taking to ensure the health and safety of our staff and patients. These steps are specific to staff and facilities; you can find patient protocols in the section of this page entitled “Patient Protocols.”

  1. Masks are required for ALL staff members. Depending on the level of interaction, a provider or team member may wear a surgical mask, cloth mask, face shield, or N95 mask. 
  2. Staff has been instructed on proper uniform and facility opening/closing protocols for heightened levels of sanitation and virus protection. 
  3. Per the recommendations, in order to limit the chance of respiratory spread of the virus, the surgery room will remain closed for six minutes after intubation and extubation. During this time, no personnel is allowed to enter or exit the room. 
  4. Temperature  and symptom checks are required by all staff members who enter the facility. Any person with a temperature over 100.4 and/or who is experiencing symptoms will not be allowed to enter the building. Any team member experiencing COVID-19 symptoms will be asked to receive testing. If a positive COVID test results, the employee will not be allowed back to work until a negative test is produced. 
  5.  COVID-19 cleaning protocols have been established and are required to take place in between each and every surgery. This includes the use of CDC-approved disinfectant solutions in the cleaning of all equipment and space utilized. 
  6. We have upgraded all filters and HVAC system components to help screen out the virus. 

Belcara Health- Institute Wide Protocols 

Below is a list of the safety protocols all employees of Belcara Health will follow. 

  1. Each staff member will be required to exercise universal precautions at all times. These measures include proper social distancing, hand washing, and sanitation of worksspace area. We have made adjustments within our work spaces to allow staff members to perform the essential duties of their jobs, while abiding by the universal precaution protocol. 
  2. Masks must be worn by all staff members, at all times. Staff members may have different mask levels, depending on their proximity to the patient. Belcara Health has surgical masks, cloth masks, face shields, and N95 masks available for team members. 
  3. Temperature  and symptom checks are required by all staff members who enter the facility. Any person with a temperature over 100.4 and/or is experiencing symptoms will not be allowed to enter the building. Any team member experiencing COVID-19 symptoms will be asked to receive testing. If a positive COVID test results, the employee will not be allowed back to work until a negative test is produced. 
  4. We are temporarily shutting down our coffee stations and make up area until further notice.
  5. Staff has been instructed on proper uniform and facility opening/closing protocols for heightened levels of sanitation and virus protection. 
  6. We have set up sneeze guards and taken other internal measures to ensure that any staff members sharing common spaces will remain protected. 
  7. In addition to the COVID-19 cleaning and disinfecting protocols recommended by the CDC, of which all staff is trained on, the office will be deep cleaned on a regular basis with disinfecting treatments specific to the prevention of COVID-19 spread.

Patient Protocols

Please note that provider schedules have been adjusted to accommodate for more time in between patients. This will affect availability. Please be patient with us as we try to accommodate as many patients as we can, safely and effectively. Below is a list of measures and guidelines regarding appointments at Belcara Health. These measures are being taken for the protection, safety, and comfort of our patients. 

  1.  Telemedicine services remain open for plastic surgery consults, select pre- and post-op appointments, select dermatology appointments and wellness/nutrition appointments. We encourage patients to utilize telemedicine services when possible.
  2. A no guest policy remains intact. If necessary, translators and aids are allowed, but will be subject to the same screening protocols as patients. Guests are allowed to wait in the car while patients are in their appointments. 
  3. Patients who live in nursing homes or assisted living facilities are not allowed into the building. 
  4. Check-In kiosks are in all of our lobbies, allowing patients to check themselves in, or check in virtually prior to their appointments. This will reduce any face-to-face contact and check-in times. 
  5. Sneeze guards are set up at each check-in station
  6. All patients will be required to wear a mask while at Belcara Health at all times, unless their service requires the removal of a mask. 
  7.  Respiratory Service Stations are located at each door, which contain masks, tissues, and hand sanitizer. 
  8. Patients will be asked to remain in their cars until a member of our team greets them and brings them into the appointment. 
  9. A temperature and symptom check will be required prior to entering the facility. Any person with a temperature over 100.4 will be asked to reschedule his or her appointment. If you are experiencing any symptoms of illness, especially COVID-19 symptoms, we ask that you reschedule your appointment for a later date. 
  10. Any patient who has tested positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed into our facility until a negative test is produced. 
  11. Any patient who has traveled to or from New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut is subject to the state mandated 14-day quarantine
  12. All patients will be asked to sign COVID-19 specific forms, noting that by entering into the facility there is potential of contracting COVID-19 despite the strictest of measures. 

PLEASE NOTE: Surgical Patients will be subject to additional safety precautions and protocols; these protocols will be discussed with you in detail when you schedule your surgery and at your pre-operative appointment. 

Virtual consultations and appointments for the following services are still available upon request:

If you would like to schedule a virtual consultation or appointment for one of the above services and you are a new patient, please contact us online or call us at 410-296-0414. 

We developed all protocols based on the recommendations of the American Hospital Association, American College of Surgeons, American College of Anesthesiologists, Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses, Center for Disease Control, and the White House Opening America Guidance. If you have any questions or would like greater detail about our re-opening policies, precautions, or protocols, feel free to contact us. To stay up-to-date on our re-opening procedure and measures our staff is taking to ensure the safety of our patients, sign up for our newsletter below. 

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