To the Patients and Friends of Visage Surgical Institute

Specific data about Covid-19, in particular its prevalence in Ohio, remains limited. It is highly probable, however, that we are just ahead of the logarithmic curve that characterizes the spread of a pandemic. This means aggressive measures with respect to social distancing have the most potential benefit now. We are therefore implementing several specific measures at Visage Surgical Institute to limit potential exposure for our patients and staff. These steps will evolve as more data become available to make informed decisions based on science, not emotion.

The safety and wellness of our patients and staff are our priority. These actions will impose some inconvenience on us, but I believe an early,aggressive approach is necessary to get ahead of the epidemiological curve of Covid-19.

Starting Monday, March 16, 2020, we are making the following interventions:

We suggest that any new or established patients who do not need to be seen in person use a virtual visit or consultation. Please initiate this by calling the office (330-721-2323). We will use telemedicine (video) and emails.

We are still, of course, seeing patients in our offices as medically necessary.

Starting this Tuesday, March 17, we are temporarily suspending all V- spa visits. I realize this is a major inconvenience to our patients and have made this decision only after serious consideration and review of available data and relevant literature.

All patients (and staff) who visit us in person will have their temperature measured upon entering our facilities; if high we will suggest appropriate intervention.

If you have recently traveled, even domestically, call the office before visiting; we will schedule a virtual consult or follow-up if appropriate.

Patients will be asked to used hand sanitizer placed at the entrance to our facility before entering.

Patients can remain in their cars prior to their appointments if they do not wish to wait in the lobby. We encourage this. Text or call when you have arrived prior to your appointment. We will call when your exam room is open; you can walk right in.

We will ask patients over age 60 or with significant medical conditions to delay surgery.

Life is about balance. We should not overreact to this novel virus; we should be proactive:

Everyone should limit social contact. Now is the time social distancing can have the greatest (logarithmic) benefit to slowing the progress of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19. As the CDC and state of Ohio have now suggested, work from home if you can,don’t go out to restaurants, theaters, parties, or similar. The more aggressive we are, the sooner we end this and return to our normal routines. Better to overreact in this regard than ignore these recommendations and contribute to spread of the virus.

Take care of our family, friends, and neighbors, especially those that may have trouble taking care of themselves. Help an elderly neighbor get food; call to check in. But limit physical contact; wash your hands and don’t shake theirs.

Don’t go to a hospital or doctor’s office if you have a low fever or mild symptoms. This can spread the virus. Call your doctor’s office or our office first. Cleveland will soon have drive-through testing centers through University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic. Generally,only patients who have shortness of breath or other significant symptoms will require hospital admission.

The following resources provide additional information about SARS-CoV-2/Covid-19:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov

https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/

https://reference.medscape.com/slideshow/2019-novel-coronavirus-6012559

As more information is available about the pattern of spread and the severity of SARS-CoV-2, we will adjust these recommendations. Don’t hesitate to contact our office if you have questions. Stay informed. Stay healthy.

–Drs. Quereshy & Usman