COVID-19 AND PATIENT SAFETY

Miami Beach Community Health Center takes prides in providing high quality health care in the safest possible environment for our patients and staff. Since the outbreak of COVID-19 we have instituted several protective measures to ensure continued safety. As we resume full operations, you should know how we intend to keep you safe in our health centers.

MBCHC follows all guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Florida Department of Health (DOH) for reopening of medical facilities. MBCHC monitors the CDC, OSHA, and DOH for any change in guidelines and will adjust to comply with them.

By following some simple precautions, everyone can help to slow the spread of the coronavirus which causes COVID-19:

1. Social Distancing

(or more accurately, physical distancing) is key to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. When a person coughs and/or sneezes, droplets are airborne which may cause the transmission of the virus. You will see changes at our facilities as patients and staff practice physical distancing.

1. • MBCHC has installed plexiglass barriers at the front desk reception, registration, and intake cubicles to separate staff and patients.
2. • Posters reminding everyone to ‘maintain distance’ and floor signs and floor tapes have been placed in waiting rooms to ensure staff and patients maintain 6 feet of distance.
3. • We have limited the number of people onsite at one time. Visitors are not allowed. Pediatric patients may be accompanied by one adult.
4. • We have rearranged the waiting areas to create physical distancing.

2. Wearing a mask

can prevent transmission of the virus to others. Because it is possible to be infected with the coronavirus yet not show any symptoms, wearing a mask is very important.

1. • All MBCHC staff are required to wear a mask.
2. • Patients are required to wear a mask or cloth face covering to enter any MBCHC health center. A mask will be provided to any patient who needs one. Please remember to have your mask cover your nose and mouth at all times, and do not remove it unless asked to do so by your provider

3. Frequent handwashing

with soap and water, for 20 seconds at a time, is one of the most effective preventive measures against the spread of the virus.

1. • No-touch waste receptacles are available in waiting rooms to discard paper towels, masks, or tissue paper.
2. • Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are readily available for staff and patients throughout the health centers. Note: Keep hand sanitizers away from fire or flame. Store hand sanitizers away from children and pets.

COVID-19 has required making additional changes to the way we work to further ensure the safety of all patients and staff:

1. • Daily in-person or virtual health checks. Employees and patients are screened daily for COVID-19 at the entrances to MBCHC all locations or virtually. Screening includes questions about your potential exposure to COVID-19, current symptoms, temperature reading, and recording oxygen saturation.
2. • Heightened infection prevention, including the removal of magazines and toys from waiting areas.
3. • Personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, face shields, gloves, and gowns, is available to all staff.
4. • Waiting room chairs and high touch surfaces are frequently cleaned by housekeeping staff using an EPA registered disinfectant.
5. • Posters on hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, and covering nose and mouth with a mask have been placed in strategic locations throughout all health centers.

Please continue to follow guidance from the CDC regarding social distancing and hand hygiene. For questions about MBCHC’s health, safety, environmental, or infection control procedures, please contact the Director, Environment of Care & Safety at 305-538-8835.