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FAQ SHEET – COMMON FACTS AND QUESTIONS REGARDING OUR COVID POLICIES

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS CONCERNING FOR COVID INFECTION?

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sore throat
  • Loss of sense of taste or smell
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • New onset nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
  • Chills
  • Cough

If you develop any of these symptoms please call our office immediately and we will advise you as to the need for further evaluation and possible COVID-19 testing.  Do NOT come into the office if you have these symptoms.

WHAT IS THE TYPE OF COVID-19 TESTING THAT I WILL HAVE PRIOR TO MY PROCEDURE?

Testing will be a RT-PCR (Real Time PCR) diagnostic test that detects the virus that causes COVID-19. Testing is performed by a nasopharyngeal swab at a designated drive through site.  

WHAT IF THE COVID-19 TEST IS POSITIVE?

We will cancel your procedure and reschedule for a future date when you have fully recovered. We will guide you on resources for additional care as needed. 

IF THE COVID-19 TEST IS NEGATIVE DOES THAT MEAN I AM IMMUNE TO COVID-19?

NO. Having a negative nasopharyngeal swab PCR means that no active viral infection was detected. It does not confer any information about a prior exposure or your immune status to COVID-19.

WHAT ABOUT COVID-19 ANTIBODY TESTING?

Antibody testing is NOT the same as RT-PCR which detects the actual virus and determines if you have the active infection. Antibodies suggest a previous exposure to the virus. However, it is not known whether or not these antibodies confer any protection or immunity to the patient. At the present time their use has not been validated and therefore cannot be used as a substitute for PT-PCR. 

HOW SAFE IS IT TO HAVE AN ELECTIVE PROCEDURE IN THE ENDOSCOPY CENTER?

VERY SAFE. Our center is following the guidelines of the CDC, IDPH, OSHA and our national medical societies to provide our patients and staff with the safest physical environment.  

WE ARE PROVIDING FOR YOUR SAFETY IN NUMEROUS WAYS

GENERAL:

  • Physical and social distancing in reception and waiting areas.
  • Staggered appointment times.
  • Virtual (remote) registration to limit exposure.

     

PATIENTS AND VISITORS:

  • Visitors are not permitted to wait inside the building.
  • All patients wear masks and are screened upon entering the building.
  • Everyone entering the building must have their temperature taken.
  • All patients receive COVID-19 testing within 72 hours of their procedure.

     

STAFF:

  • All staff are screened and have their temperature taken upon entering the  building. 
  • All staff wear masks at all times while in the center.
    • Staff will also wear additional PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) – such as gowns, gloves, goggles, head covers, shoe covers, etc., depending upon their level of patient care.  This protects both the patients and the staff.
  • Staff are all trained in the proper use of PPEs.

     

CLEANING AND DISINFECTION:

 

  • All bathrooms, procedure rooms, patient pre-op and recovery rooms are deep cleaned before and after each procedure.
  • Other areas such as work stations, reception areas, etc are cleaned throughout the day and deep cleaned at the end of the day.

PRE-OP AND RECOVERY ROOMING:

  • You will be recovered in the same room that you were brought into for the pre-procedure evaluation and preparation.

NATIONAL AND STATE RECOGNITION FOR QUALITY AND SAFETY

 

  • The Midwest Endoscopy Center is the only endoscopy center in DuPage County that is licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
  • We are accredited by the AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care), the national leader in ambulatory health care accreditation responsible for the development and adoption of national safety standards.
  • ASGE Quality Star recipient since 2008.  The ASGE (American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy) is our national endoscopy society.  The Quality Star is awarded to all recipients of the Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program, which is dedicated to the quality and safety of its centers.  We were only the 2nd center in the state of Illinois to be granted this honor back in 2008 and have maintained this distinction ever since.

Midwest Endoscopy Center