Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response
Eyesmatter helping prevent the spread
of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) within clinic
As the lead clinician of Eyesmatter clinics, we appreciate our patients’ ongoing concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
I want to let you know that Eyesmatter clinics continue to monitor the situation closely. I also wanted to inform you of what precautions and actions my team is taking to prioritise your wellbeing while visiting our clinics. Click here to see our Patient Journey videos on what to expect when you visit our clinic.
In the effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, we need to ask if you have any of the following:
- Symptoms or Signs:
- Fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Loss of smell
- Red eye, pink eye or conjunctivitis
- If you have been diagnosed with pneumonia recently?
- Do you have family or close contacts who suffer from the above symptoms?
- Have you travelled to outbreak areas of coronavirus in the past 14 days?
- Did you have contact with patients with coronavirus in the past 14 days?
- Do you have conjunctivitis (pink eye)?
- Are you a healthcare worker?
If you have answered yes to any of the above, please call our administrative team as soon as possible on (07) 3193 1100.
Please take some time to read the following about the care we are exercising in clinic:
We apply the highest standard of cleanliness and hygiene across our clinics. We have increased the routine cleaning of frequently touched hard surfaces. We remind all patients and relatives attending our clinics to practice regular hand washing, use hand sanitiser and cover sneezes or coughs with your arm, not your hands. Hand sanitizes are available throughout our clinics.
If you have flu-like symptoms, we will ask you to re-book for 2 weeks ahead if at all possible. We have protocols for segregating anyone for we have increased concern from the main clinic in time and space
When it comes to the health and wellbeing of our patients our actions continue to exceed protocols from Queensland Health and we continue monitor daily for updates on the advice they provide.
We have shared regular updates with our team and other stakeholders to ensure they are aware of the latest travel advice and guidance on what to do if they have been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19.
We encourage you to watch our videos of the patient journey through our clinic and the good hygiene practices you can expect. We will update these messages as and when appropriate.
We are working with our referral sources to ensure our mutual patients continue to receive best practice care because nil satis nisi optimum (nothing but the best is good enough). WE are probably the first unit to provide educational updates to our community optometrists through accredited continuing professional development events on how to deal with patients suspected of having COVID19, how to disinfect your equipment and work areas and how to protect your staff and patients.
We have altered our clinic profiles for all to reduce all patient-patient interaction and provide more time for cubicle and equipment cleaning between patients.
We have instigated dedicated cataract assessment clinics in al clinics for the over 70’s with even more spacing of individual appointments.
Members of the community should be confident to go about their day-to-day activities including attending our clinics. There is fear and there is panic but the world still turns.
As circumstances continue to develop we will update our approach to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our patients, staff members and the wider community is our highest priority.
If you’d like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Thank you for your support,
Assoc Professor James Charles McAlister
MB BS BSc MD FRCOphth FRANZCO
Principal and lead clinician, Eyesmatter Clinic