Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
COVID-19 Patient Information Update for MERSI Eye Center and OIUF
Under Governor Baker’s Phase 2 reopening guidelines for Massachusetts, medical practices can now provide all types of care, including routine appointments. MERSI has stayed open throughout the pandemic, successfully treating our essential patients.
We have put in place the following prevention guidelines to help you feel comfortable and safe when resuming your care at MERSI:
All patients are screened by phone before their appointments to check for COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., fever, loss of taste or smell, cough, shortness of breath, etc.), recent travel outside the state, or exposure to someone with COVID-19. Anyone answering yes is not allowed to attend an appointment until cleared by their primary care provider.
No one is allowed to accompany patients unless medically necessary or appropriate for their age.
All patients and staff must wear a face mask or covering while at MERSI.
Patients are asked to disinfect their hands, gloves, and all handheld devices upon entering MERSI. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the office. Staff disinfect their hands before and after each patient visit.
Reception areas are arranged for social distancing.
Magazines, coffee, and other refreshments have been removed from the reception room.
Examination rooms, testing rooms, and reception areas are disinfected after each patient.
We continue to recommend precautions for those on immunomodulatory therapy:
We advise you to always practice universal precautions to prevent illness (see below). Because the flu is a yearly concern, we strongly encourage you to get the flu shot. COVID-19 is a viral infection similar to the flu but caused by a different virus. It leads to respiratory illness with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and loss of taste and smell, and can cause pneumonia in severe cases. The new coronavirus spreads mainly through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze, or via droplets of saliva or nasal discharge.
Ways to Protect Yourself:
We recommend practicing universal precautions consistently to avoid the flu, cold, or other illnesses, including COVID-19.
– Wash your hands for 20-30 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap isn’t available, especially after touching surfaces and before eating.
– Disinfect surfaces you will touch, including your workspace.
– Avoid touching doorknobs, handles, elevator buttons, shopping carts, etc., with your hands—use a wipe, paper towel, sleeve, glove, or your knuckle.
– Do not eat with your hands.
– Avoid touching your face, mouth, and nose.
– Wear a mask in public spaces.
– Continue avoiding unnecessary air travel.
Please visit www.cdc.gov for more detailed guidelines.
If you develop any illness, infection, or have a fever of 99°F or higher, or if you’ve been exposed to someone at high risk for COVID-19 or the flu, notify your doctor immediately and stop your immunosuppressive medications. Especially if you have a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) with or without chills, contact your doctor right away. If you cannot reach your doctor, go to an emergency room.
Generally, your risk of illness decreases when you’re healthy. We recommend getting 8 hours of sleep, staying well-hydrated with 8-10 glasses of non-caffeinated fluids daily, taking a multivitamin each day, and exercising three times a week if possible. If applicable, we also advise quitting smoking.
Mersi Providers and Nursing Staff
As a reminder, if you are sick, returning from travel, or exposed to someone who traveled or is at high risk for COVID-19, please reschedule your appointments.