Synapse Coronavirus Update 2

To our valued patients and community,

We hope you and your family are well as we navigate this difficult situation caused by the global coronavirus pandemic. The Synapse Way has always been to naturally and holistically support individuals with their particular health needs and this current public health concern makes our mission all the more important.

We want to thank you all for your flexibility as we have temporarily stopped in-person visits over the past few weeks. We understand this placed many of you in difficult circumstances, but this action was taken to ensure the safety of our patients and employees. Over the last several weeks, we have been tracking the developments across the world closely and have deemed it appropriate to reopen the clinic to in-person visits. In order to do that effectively, we will be implementing temporary safety procedures for both our staff members and our patients visiting the clinic. We have developed these procedures by combining best practices and recommendations from health services across the country.

Due to the nature of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly the fact that the virus can be spread by individuals not showing symptoms, it will be necessary for us to assume that all patients have the potential to pass the infection to others. As such, it is our current opinion that anytime you leave your own home, you are putting yourself at an increased risk of coming into contact with and becoming infected with the coronavirus. This is no different when visiting our office, despite the efforts we are taking to reduce transmission.

While it is established that the vast majority of individuals contracting the coronavirus will show little to now symptoms, it is our belief that every individual should take precautions. This is not only to reduce your own risk, but to reduce the likelihood that you will transmit this virus to susceptible individuals. A high number of people will have an infection of this coronavirus without having symptoms – those people can still actively infect others. Because of this, we strongly recommend the use of masks and proper hygiene practices when out of your own home and within our office.

Synapse Center for Health and Healing will be following the current CDC guidelines set out to minimize the risk of spread; however, this does not eliminate the risk. By entering our facility, you understand there is an inherent risk of contracting the coronavirus. You are, by free will, engaging with our facility, office staff, and treating doctor/healthcare staff.

While in the office, you are strongly encouraged to wear your own protective mask to reduce possible exposure to yourself and to our staff members. We do not have enough masks to provide one to you. When coughing or sneezing, if you are not wearing a mask, please cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and dispose of the tissue in a waste receptacle. If a tissue is not available, please cover the mouth and nose with the crook of a bent arm to avoid spreading aerosol droplets that could be contaminated. Please wash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds after using the bathroom. These recommendations are to reduce possible transmission to other patients and staff members.

We ask that you be mindful of the following when preparing for your visit and while in our facility.
If you develop respiratory illness symptoms e.g., cough, sore throat, fever, fatigue, during the days leading up to your appointment, please call and let our office staff know. You will need to be rescheduled for 7 days after resolution of symptoms or after you have received a negative COVID-19 test. We will reschedule all individuals who have expressed symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or if a fever is present at the time of arrival at our clinic. There will be no cancellation fee assessed in these situations.

During this time, the front door will be locked during patient hours. Upon arrival at the office, remain in your car and notify the office staff that you have arrived by calling (952) 207-2645. We will have a sign on the door with the phone number if you need it. You will remain in your car until the office staff notifies you via phone or by coming to your car that you can enter the clinic. Please do not congregate in areas outside the clinic.

An office staff member will meet you at the front door and take your temperature. Should you have a temperature, you will be sent home. We will call you to reschedule your appointment for 7 days after your last day of symptoms or the last day of your fever. If there is no elevated temperature, the office staff will open the front doors for you and escort you to an open treatment room. Once your visit is complete, you will be escorted out of the building once your visit has been completed. Fee collection and rescheduling will be made over the phone.

Holding to these policies will help ensure the safety of all people coming into Synapse Center
for Health and Healing. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding during this difficult time.

The Synapse Team