Patient and Employee Safety

To Our Valued Patients:
The world is grappling with an issue of enormous scale and human impact, and our hearts go out to all who have been affected by the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).

At Diabetes & Endocrinology Specialists, Inc., we believe it is our role and responsibility during this time to prioritize two things: the health and well-being of our patients and employees while also playing a constructive role in supporting local health officials and government leaders as they work to contain the virus. Through that lens, we will continue to make decisions with vigilance and courage informed by the latest science-based information.

As part of these efforts, we promote and encourage precautions to reduce the spread of airborne and bacterial illnesses at our offices by following Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and CDC Guidelines at each of our facilities every day.

As precautionary measures to protect and provide a safe treatment environment for our patients and team members, we are adding supplementary procedures across our organization:
• Patients will be required to wear masks at all times during their office visit and encouraged to keep 6 feet apart from other patients when possible.
• Wiping down all waiting and treatment rooms, and any high touch areas, with disinfectants after each patient and hourly.

• Asking patients to show up exactly at their appointment times to avoid any need for waiting in the waiting room.

• Following CDC guidelines, when scheduling appointments, we will be instructing patients to call ahead and discuss the need to reschedule their appointment if they develop symptoms of a respiratory infection (e.g., cough, sore throat, fever) within 72 hours of the day they are scheduled to be seen. This will also be asked during appointment reminder calls with patients.

• Additionally, upon arrival to the medical building, hospital staff will screen patients with the following questions:

1) Are you currently experiencing any fever or flu-like symptoms?
2) Have you had a fever or flu-like symptoms in the last 3 days?
3) Have you had recent exposure (within the last 14 days) to individuals with fever or flu-like symptoms?
4) Have you traveled to the affected COVID-19 areas in the last 14 days?
Based upon the patient’s current status and response to the above-listed questions, our team members should exercise the following actions (if necessary):

1) If a patient arrives for an appointment and exhibits signs of fever or respiratory illness (Question #1) ask the patient to reschedule their appointment when they are feeling better (free of fever for at least 24 hours) and recommend they seek advice from their Primary Care Physician (PCP).

2) If the patient arrives for an appointment but is not exhibiting current signs of fever or respiratory illness, but has responded “Yes” to Questions #2-4, the front desk staff should ask the patient to reschedule their appointment for a future date.

3) If the patient declines to reschedule, the front desk staff should consult with the clinic provider as to the appropriate next steps.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here for you!
Feel free to also check out the links below for the latest updates on the situation:

1) U.S. Centers for Disease Control Coronavirus Page

2) U.S. National Library of Medicine Coronavirus Page

3) World Health Organization Coronavirus Page
Call Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) at (877) 435-8411 if you have any questions
Send us any questions or concerns online