05-11-2020

Response to COVID-19 Pandemic-Update

 Dear Patients and families, 

   We at Shore Foot and Ankle are taking extra precaution to ensure your safety and the safety of our staff in these uncertain times.  By order of Governor Hogan, as of 5-7-2020, all Health care providers may resume elective and non urgent medical procedures provided certain measures are in place.  In regards to these measures, our office has made changes and updates to our office procedures and policies to comply to the best of our ability to the suggested measures in order to resume operations as of 5-12-2020.

To ensure the safety of our patients and staff the following updates have been implemented:

• All staff members will be trained and required to review CDC guidelines and State of Maryland recommendations for COVID-19 patient care.
• Prior to starting work activity each day, each employee will verify that they do not have a fever or any flu-like symptoms and may be screened with a thermometer for temperature check.
• During appointment reminder calls, every patient is recommended to cancel or reschedule their appointment if they have any signs of a cold or any flu-like symptoms.
• Office scheduling will be adjusted to avoid multiple patients in the office at one time.  Hopefully, we will have no more than 3 patients in the office at one time in 3 separate areas.
• Patients are recommended to come to their appointments alone. The patient may bring only 1 other family member to the exam room  if the patient needs assistance with care or with decision making regarding treatment.
• Extra/non-essential family members will be asked to stay outside of the office or in their car if they are not accompanying the patient to the treatment room in order to reduce activity in the office.
• The office will eliminate the use of a daily sign in sheet to reduce contact activity between patients.
• Office staff and the physician will avoid hand shaking and other traditional contact greetings between the staff, patients, and family.
• New or cleansed pens and clip boards will be provided for each individual patient for filling out forms and paperwork. 
• Plastic shields have been installed at the check-in and check-out windows to avoid airborne transmission between staff and patients.
• All staff members will be required to use masks/face coverings until CDC guideline restrictions are loosened and/or lifted.
• All patients are required to wear face coverings when in our office and signs will be posted to alert patients prior to entry. 
• During the check in and check out process, patients will be instructed to maintain a social distance of 6 feet from other groups of people in the office to the best of their ability. Waiting room seating will also be adjusted to keep people 6 feet apart.
• Patients are advised to come to their appointment on time and to avoid arriving early or late as not to disrupt the timing and flow of the office in regards to social distancing regulations and over crowding.
• We have removed all magazines and pamphlets from the waiting areas and exam rooms to avoid inadvertent patient to patient contact through these materials.
• Hand sanitizer and sanitary wipes have been placed throughout the office for all patients and staff to utilize upon entrance and exit from the facility and at any other time they may feel it is necessary.
• The practice of using Lysol and other cleaning products to clean the office and exam rooms before and after any patient/physician interactions is already in place and will continue. A deep cleaning atomizer spray  is also used throughout the office  to ensure patient and staff safety.
• Use of diagnostic testing devices, including routine use of blood pressure cuffs and other physical contact exams, will be avoided unless the patient is symptomatic and the testing is deemed necessary to help with diagnosis or care of the patient’s problem.
• In order to reduce patient and staff contact, staff members will avoid helping the patients with getting in and out of the exam chair, avoid helping the patients with jackets and clothes, and avoid helping the patient with the taking off of shoes or stockings. Obviously, assistance will be given to those who are unable to perform these activities on their own or without the assistance of a family member. 
• Extra supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, masks, and face shields will be stocked in the office at all levels required by guidelines, and available to staff and patients at all times either upon need or request.
• Notices about COVID-19 response, state recommendations, office procedures and precautions have been posted on the entrance doors and at the check in and check out areas for review by all staff and patients. 

Instituting these policy and practice updates will provide an even safer healthcare atmosphere for all. We will continue to follow the proper sterilization and cleaning standards to ensure a safe and healthy environment for both you and our staff. We encourage any patient who has any sign of flu-like symptoms to cancel their appointment and contact Atlantic General Hospital to be screened at the appropriate location. As always, you may leave a message with any questions or concerns on our answering service and we will contact you as soon as possible.

                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                             Dr. David Gannon

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Shore Foot & Ankle Podiatrist Dr. David Gannon has re-located his practice from his offices at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Mercy Medical Center to the Eastern Shore. Dr. Gannon and staff are happy to provide a gentle caring touch to your foot and ankle care. We bring the expertise and experience usually only found at a large medical institution to a local comfortable setting. No longer do you have to travel to the city to get high-level quality care from a podiatrist.

We at Shore Foot & Ankle advocate a conservative treatment plan utilizing a full array of therapeutic modalities in order to provide care and comfort for your condition. Obviously surgical intervention may be warranted for certain disorders and Dr. Gannon offers the highest level of training in his field. Dr. Gannon is board certified in both Foot Surgery and Rear Foot and Ankle Reconstruction.

Shore Foot & Ankle provides podiatry services for all foot and ankle problems including:

• Diabetic preventative foot care
• Ulcer and wound management
• Swelling and poor circulation
• Fractures
• Sprains
• Sports injuries
• The surgical management of multiple orthopedic foot and ankle conditions.

Custom shoe inserts, specialized shoe gear, and foot care products are also available for your convenience. We participate with most insurance plans.

Shore Foot & Ankle guarantees a clean, comfortable environment for your care. Sterilized instrumentation is used for each individual patient and foot spas are available for therapy. Please feel free to browse our web site and click on the links for additional medical information. You may contact us by phone to request an appointment at 410-629-0222. Initial patient information forms are available for you to fill out prior to your visit to save you time.

Once again, Welcome to Shore Foot & Ankle, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.