Hey Everyone,
My weekly newsletter update is coming in a few days early as the situation is progressing rapidly. First and foremost, I would like to thank all of you who have been patient and understanding during this process. Your kind words and support for our staff makes our efforts to stay open worthwhile.
Unfortunately, we are facing a staffing crisis that is going to require us to alter our hours of operation. Starting Monday, March 23, we will only be able to be open from 8 AM to 8 pm Monday through Friday. We will be able to remain open most Saturdays and Sundays from 8 to 4 pm, but we will only have one doctor on Saturday instead of our usual two. We will be closing Easter weekend for both Saturday and Sunday.
What we are doing to try to keep the doors open, is cutting our staff into two shifts. Shift A will be seeing appointments for 3 weeks, then will take time to self-quarantine while Shift B sees appointments. IF anyone in either shift shows signs, we will be able to pull people from the off shift to cover. That means instead of having 5 doctors seeing appointments each week, we only have 3. Obviously, that means we have to reduce our hours, triage our appointment scheduling and requesting to see a specific doctor will not be an option. My hope is that this rotation will allow us to continue to see sick and injured patients, no matter how long the crisis continues.
However, we need your help. If I cannot keep my staff healthy, I cannot keep our doors open. To reduce our staff’s risk of exposure, we are asking that only family member comes with their pet for an appointment. Exceptions will be made for pets who are critically ill, but for the most part, if multiple people come with a patient, we will ask all but one to wait in the car. We will be having everyone pre pay for prescription, OTC and food pickups, then call once they are in the parking lot for a staff member to bring them their supplies. We are asking everyone who is not feeling well to NOT come for their pet’s appointment and to send someone else in their place. We will also be performing exams outside of the rooms to limit contact between the staff and families. This is not just for our protection, but for yours. We will be coming into contact with people that are likely positive for Coronavirus, and you will be coming into contact with us. People can be contagious without showing signs, so the more we can keep our distance from each other, the safer everyone will be.
Some of you have expressed frustration at the measures we have taken and the at our request to reschedule non-emergency appointments and surgeries. Believe me, I hear you, and I understand. But by taking these measures, and postponing non urgent care appointments, we hope to be able to keep our doors open for the sick and injured patients that need to be seen now, and in the coming months.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.
Dr. Linda Farrington
My weekly newsletter update is coming in a few days early as the situation is progressing rapidly. First and foremost, I would like to thank all of you who have been patient and understanding during this process. Your kind words and support for our staff makes our efforts to stay open worthwhile.
Unfortunately, we are facing a staffing crisis that is going to require us to alter our hours of operation. Starting Monday, March 23, we will only be able to be open from 8 AM to 8 pm Monday through Friday. We will be able to remain open most Saturdays and Sundays from 8 to 4 pm, but we will only have one doctor on Saturday instead of our usual two. We will be closing Easter weekend for both Saturday and Sunday.
What we are doing to try to keep the doors open, is cutting our staff into two shifts. Shift A will be seeing appointments for 3 weeks, then will take time to self-quarantine while Shift B sees appointments. IF anyone in either shift shows signs, we will be able to pull people from the off shift to cover. That means instead of having 5 doctors seeing appointments each week, we only have 3. Obviously, that means we have to reduce our hours, triage our appointment scheduling and requesting to see a specific doctor will not be an option. My hope is that this rotation will allow us to continue to see sick and injured patients, no matter how long the crisis continues.
However, we need your help. If I cannot keep my staff healthy, I cannot keep our doors open. To reduce our staff’s risk of exposure, we are asking that only family member comes with their pet for an appointment. Exceptions will be made for pets who are critically ill, but for the most part, if multiple people come with a patient, we will ask all but one to wait in the car. We will be having everyone pre pay for prescription, OTC and food pickups, then call once they are in the parking lot for a staff member to bring them their supplies. We are asking everyone who is not feeling well to NOT come for their pet’s appointment and to send someone else in their place. We will also be performing exams outside of the rooms to limit contact between the staff and families. This is not just for our protection, but for yours. We will be coming into contact with people that are likely positive for Coronavirus, and you will be coming into contact with us. People can be contagious without showing signs, so the more we can keep our distance from each other, the safer everyone will be.
Some of you have expressed frustration at the measures we have taken and the at our request to reschedule non-emergency appointments and surgeries. Believe me, I hear you, and I understand. But by taking these measures, and postponing non urgent care appointments, we hope to be able to keep our doors open for the sick and injured patients that need to be seen now, and in the coming months.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.
Dr. Linda Farrington