COVID-19 Clinic Policies

Updated Clinic Operations and COVID-19 Policies

Please note: COVID-19 is a rapidly moving living organism, and as such, when surges present in our community, my policies shift to meet the present conditions.

Welcome back to the clinic for inpatient acupuncture and Chinese herbal prescriptions!

In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, several changes have been made to the RareBird Acupuncture clinic to provide a safer environment for patients to receive treatments. I now wear scrubs and full PPE, and my new office location is filled with sunlight and plenty of natural airflow.

I added a portable medical-grade HEPA air filtration system. LOFT 700 has updated the building’s HEPA air filtration system, and the filters are changed monthly. Cleaning of the common areas and bathrooms has also been increased.

Some changes to operations and appointments require your participation.

Please read and review these policies prior to scheduling your appointment.

Changes to clinic operations will affect your acupuncture treatments moving forward for an undetermined amount of time. Policies are modified regularly to meet the demands of working during a pandemic. These changes have been put in place for the safety of all of my patients, public health, and myself. These changes have been issued by the CDC, OSHA, the NCCAOM, and the New Mexico License and Regulations Department.

Appointments

• When surges present, I will temporarily take my appointment calendar offline so that I can pre-screen patients. During these times, please schedule with me directly via email at Info@RareBirdAcupuncture.com or call/text me at (718) 809-5684.
• All appointments are staggered to eliminate overlap between patients and accommodate sterilization protocols.
• Follow all updated mask rules in and around the building (these change with state mandates.)
• New patient intake forms may be reviewed via telemedicine or phone (weather permitting) prior to the scheduled appointment and/or before entering my office for acupuncture. In the warmer months, when more fresh air ventilation is possible, intake will resume in the office.
• New patient intake forms will be sent electronically.
• Please send all intake paperwork, lab results, etc., to me electronically via email; if you don’t have resources for this, please let me know so I can assist you.
• Cosmetic acupuncture treatments are on hold until further notice. Hoping to resume in late Spring 2022 (fingers crossed!)
• If necessary, patients will be contacted 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment time by email or text/phone to verify they are not showing any sign of illness.
• Waiting in your car until your scheduled appointment time is okay, but please be on time for your appointment.
• Please maintain social distancing while waiting in the shared waiting area, within the building, and inside my office.
• Do not share the elevator with other passengers.

Acupuncture

• The clinic room is cleaned between patients to accommodate CDC sterilization protocols for outpatient healthcare settings.
• All patients and caregivers must wear a clean, fitted mask for the entire duration of the treatments; no scarves, gaiters, etc. KN95 and N95 are preferred. Vaccinated patients still need to wear masks inside my office.
• All patients must wash their hands for 20–30 seconds prior to entering my office. You may be asked to apply hand sanitizer if needed.
• Don’t have a mask? I can provide one for you. An additional charge will apply if PPE is still difficult to obtain, so please check in prior to your appointment to make sure I have supplies available.
• If you have a health condition that makes it impossible for you to wear a mask, you must let me know before scheduling an appointment.
• Please wash your hands in the bathroom and NOT in the shared kitchen area.
• Please wear clean clothes to the office for treatment. It is recommended that you arrive in clothing suitable for your treatment.
• Please do not come to your appointment after working out or going to the gym.

Herbal Formulas and Refills

• Herbal formula modifications and consultations can be done using telemedicine.
• Herbal formula refills must be ordered 48 hours to 1 week in advance of your scheduled appointment so that I can have them ready for you. Formulas will now be mixed outside of inpatient office hours. I cannot mix on-site during working hours while seeing patients.
• Herbal formulas needed on the day of treatment will take 24–48 hours to fill; you will need to return for pickup.
• The cost of herbs has been increased due to shortages and demands, and availability is not guaranteed.
• Order requests for out-of-stock products must be paid for in advance, as pharmacies are no longer accepting returns.
• I will continue to ship herbal formulas to sick patients as well as patients out of state, but it might take a little longer to fill scripts.

Payments

• Touchless payment methods will be used and will not require a signature. If you are bringing cash, please put it inside an envelope with your name on it and the total amount enclosed. Checks are okay still, too.

COVID-19 Protocols

• If you have traveled or had close contact with someone who has, you must wait 5–7 days before coming in for treatment. Travel includes plane, bus, train, van, car, or any other type that includes exposure to new or large groups of people.
• If you have traveled outside the country or on a cruise ship, in any areas of high risk, or with new variants present, you must wait 7–14 days before scheduling.
• While new variants are surging in our community: If you conduct a lifestyle that falls outside of social distancing, you cannot come in for treatment until you have successfully quarantined.
• If you have been exposed to the virus or have COVID-19, you cannot return for in-office treatments until you have successfully tested negative and completed the 15–24-day incubation period.
• If you are not feeling well, you cannot come in for treatment and will need to reschedule.

Additional Links and Resources

CDC Guide to Infection Prevention for Outpatient Settings
CDC Guide to Hand Hygiene Recommendations
CDC Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control FAQs for COVID-19

RareBird Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Prescriptions and I are following reopening guidelines issued by New Mexico Public Health, NM State Authorities, NCCAOM, CDC, and CCAOM to make informed decisions regarding your healthcare. These infection prevention standards are put in place to avoid transmission of COVID-19. The above links provide information for healthcare providers in outpatient office settings.