Speech and Hearing Associates (SHA) wishes to ensure the health and safety of all our staff and patients. As we return to our offices, we have instituted the following policies and procedures so that you and your loved ones feel safe when you return for your next appointment. It is our goal to make everyone feel comfortable, healthy,
and welcome!
Internal Hygiene Procedure For Staff:
SHA has instituted several policies in addition to our usual and typical hygiene procedures. We are now regularly screening all of our staff members for COVID19 symptoms prior to entering the workplace. All of our offices have a supply of antibacterial/antiviral spray and we are regularly disinfecting door knobs, light switches, tabletops, pens, waiting rooms, toys, equipment and other frequently touched surface areas. Our treatment rooms are sanitized after every session to ensure the safety of our staff and patients. All of our staff are equipped with face shields and masks to use as personal protective equipment (PPE). Our staff is required to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds after working with individual patients.
What You Can Expect When You Come To The Office For An In-Person Visit:
Will SHA be screening patients?
Patients will be assessed for COVID-19 symptoms prior to entering the office for an appointment. Patients who enter the office are asked to wear masks and use the provided hand sanitizing stations. In addition, our staff will take every patient’s temperature prior to the patient being allowed in the treatment room. All offices are equipped with no-contact infrared digital thermometers. Thermometers can be used by standing at a distance from the patient and pointing the thermometer in the direction of the forehead or ear. Any patient with a temperature over 100 degrees must reschedule their appointment.Â
Have additional safety precautions been implemented?
To limit unnecessary exposure to others, we will be staggering appointments and request that patients not arrive early to their appointments. For children and adult patients who require a caretaker, one adult may accompany the patient, otherwise, only the patient is allowed in the office.
Patients will be asked to wait in their car and will be notified when we are ready to
see the patient. Please take your child to the bathroom prior to his/her speech therapy session in order to avoid having to disrupt the session. Only bring food or toys to your session if requested by the therapist. We require that parents/care givers stay on the premise during appointments.
To reduce physical contact between our staff and patients we are asking that all paperwork be completed electronically prior to the patient’s scheduled appointment.
Is SHA still offering tele-health?
For those who are not comfortable or able to come into the office, sessions may be conducted via teletherapy. Please note that not all insurance plans will continue to cover teletherapy. In those cases, teletherapy may continue as private pay. Please contact our office if you would like to start or continue teletherapy so we can check your insurance benefits for ongoing coverage.
How do you schedule your next appointment?
You can schedule your next appointment by calling your preferred location to speak with the office manager, calling our main number at 800-742-7551 or by clicking here to email us.