A Note About COVID-19 from Culmore Clinic

The health of our patients, physicians, staff/volunteers, and visitors are our top priority. We are continuing to monitor the COVID-19 virus and are staying vigilant with our preparedness protocol so as to ensure that Culmore Clinic can remain a primary healthcare provider for our community. 

While we are not able to provide in-Clinic care for those exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 (coughing, fever), we are working diligently to provide tele-medical visits (with interpretation services) and advising patients of the best, and most current course of action advised by the CDC and Fairfax County Health Department.

As accurate information is incredibly valuable during this time, we want to update our public on the steps we are taking at Culmore Clinic to protect anyone in The Clinic from potential exposure to the virus. 

What We’re Doing To Prevent Exposure

Our new Executive Director, Anne-Lise Quinn has appointed a Crisis Response Team, to include: 

  • Dr. Charles Sneiderman (volunteer Medical Director)

  • Maura Constance, NP (NP, Population Health)

  • Barbara Weingold, RN (volunteer Patient Care Manager and former Emergency Department lead at GW Hospital and disaster recovery volunteer in Haiti)

  • Co-Founder Terry O’Hara Lavoie (Acting Clinical Director)

This team will be monitoring the spread and management of the COVID-19 virus and the impact it might have on our services to the community. As of the time of writing this, this team has made the following recommendations to protect the staff and patients from possible infection, so those patients who depend on us as their primary healthcare provider can still receive treatment.

Staff Care

  • We are urging all of our staff and volunteers to stay home if they are not feeling well. We are also encouraging those that may feel particularly vulnerable because of age or underlying health issues, to stay home as well. 

  • We are encouraging everyone on the premises to wash their hands regularly and to keep their hands away from their face. 

  • Nursing staff and patient providers have been asked to wear disposable gloves during patient contact.

  • Staff (including volunteers and employees) coming onsite, will have their temperature taken in the vestibule of The Clinic before entry as an added precaution.

Patient Care

  • Prior to all scheduled patient appointments we are making screening calls to ensure the patient does not have a cough and/or fever and that they have not traveled outside the U.S. in the last month. If patients answer yes to either of these questions, they will be instructed to not come in and will receive a follow-up tele-medical visit from a provider (with interpreters as needed).

  • We are asking that all accompanying children stay home so as to reduce the chances of exposure.

  • Current or new patients who report that they do not have a cough or fever and have not been outside the U.S. recently, can plan to come in for their scheduled appointment.

  • Prior to entering The Clinic, all patients will be checked for fever, cough, and respiratory distress. If they present symptoms, they will be asked to return home and a tele-medical visit will be arranged. 

Facility Care

  • Anyone entering The Clinic will be checked for fever and coughing and requested to return home if exhibiting symptoms.

  • Cleaning and disinfecting will increase in frequency between appointments and throughout the day in both exam rooms as well as public spaces within The Clinic.

  • We are fortunate to have a home among a caring congregation at Falls Church First Christian Church and we want to make sure that we address any concerns congregants and visitors may have about the operation of a health clinic on the property during this time. We remain in open communication with Pastor Steven Moore, and have taken a series of precautions that will limit cross-exposure between Clinic and Church spaces. 

Our Crisis Response Team will continue to monitor this situation as it evolves, and we will continue to update our community with new procedures and processes as they are put into place in effort to protect our precious community. Should you have any specific questions, please reach out to our Executive Director Anne-Lise Quinn at anneliseq@culmoreclinic.org. 

News from The ClinicKendra RubinfeldCOVID-19, coronavirus