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Covid-19 Response

Incident Reporting, September/October 2022

October 4, 2022

I have continued to test negative for Covid-19, following exposure to a person who tested positive over the weekend of September 24th. I’ll be back in the office Wednesday, October 5, 2022 and Thursday, October 6, 2002, should you choose to meet in person for your appointment.

September 26, 2022

I was in close contact with a person who tested positive for Covid over this past weekend. While so far I’m testing negative, I’m isolating for ten days per CDC guidance.

Appointments that ordinarily would be held in person will be offered via Telehealth on Wednesday September 28th and Thursday September 29th. Further updates will be posted at drgeoffreysteinberg.com/reentry

Hybrid Re-Entry II

February 16, 2022

As the Omicron wave subsides, hybrid Telehealth/In-person appointments will be phased in for Thursday appointments on February 24th and for Wednesday appointments on March 9th.

On February 14 2022, Philadelphia County reported a seven-day average of 329 new Covid-19 cases. The positive test rate was 5.1 percent.

Expectations & Agreements

  • In-person appointments are not required. Telehealth will continue in many circumstances, including clients’ personal preferences and when necessitated by safety considerations.
  • While steps have been taken to reduce risk, meeting in person increases risk of exposure to Covid-19 compared to Telehealth. It is important to weigh clinical benefits of meeting in-person against the risk of exposure to Covid-19. You and I will discuss this risk/benefit ratio on an individual basis.
  • Do not come into the office if you have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past two weeks, or if you recently had contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19.
  • Do not come into the office if you have a fever, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting.
  • In accordance with current city guidelines, masks are not required, but are suggested as a courtesy in the building and in our waiting room.
  • Masks are not required in the consulting room during your appointment.
  • Eating, drinking, and phone conversations are not permitted in the waiting room.
  • Please arrive shortly before your appointment and leave quickly afterwards.
  • This guidance is expected to change over time in accordance with public health recommendations.

Steps to increase safety

  • All clinicians working in the Philadelphia office have been fully vaccinated and boosted.
  • All clients have reported full vaccination status.
  • Gaps are scheduled between appointments to reduce exposure between clients.
  • Air purifiers by Molekule operate continuously in both the waiting room and the consulting room. According to the manufacturer, Molekule Air Mini and Air Mini+ purifiers “satisfy performance criteria outlined in FDA guidance for use in helping to reduce potential exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus.” Learn more

Telehealth Extension

February 8, 2022

On February 7, 2022, Philadelphia County reported a seven-day average of 409 new Covid-19 cases. The positive test rate was 8.3 percent. Telehealth appointments will extend an additional week, through February 18th. Adaptive changes may be made as public health recommendations continue to develop.

January 26, 2022

On January 24, 2022, Philadelphia County reported a seven-day average of 1,444 Covid-19 cases. Telehealth appointments will extend two more weeks, through February 11th, by which time, hopefully, cases will have decreased significantly, so as to return more safely to hybrid Telehealth and in-person appointments. Adaptive changes may be made as public health recommendations continue to develop.

Return to Telehealth

January 4, 2022

Due to severe local transmission of Covid-19, all appointments will be held via Telehealth through January 31, 2022. I look forward to seeing you again in the office after the current wave is over. 
Please reply to confirm your appointment by Telehealth, and please let me know if you need any schedule adjustments to ensure your privacy when meeting from home. 
For more information on Telehealth and a timeline of my practice’s response to Covid-19, visit https://drgeoffreysteinberg.com/reentry/

January 1, 2022

Psychotherapy appointments will revert to Telehealth through January 31, 2022 due to severe local transmission of Covid-19.

Telepsychology Informed Consent | Telehealth and your privacy | Telehealth Orientation

Hybrid Re-Entry

November 30, 2021

I am monitoring Omicron variant information as it becomes available. In-person meetings will continue with existing safety precautions including vaccination, air purification, and physical distancing. If any of the following apply, we will meet via Telehealth:

  • if you have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past two weeks,
  • if you recently had contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19,
  • if you have a fever, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, congestion, headache, loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting.

June 17, 2021

Since March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic necessitated physical distancing as a public health measure. This practice operated via Telehealth throughout the pandemic.

Today, a ‘soft reopening’ is underway, with the eventual establishment of a hybrid in-person and Telehealth practice. Telehealth appointments will continue, while in-person appointments will resume gradually, on a case-by-case basis.

The schedule of in-person office hours has not yet been established.

This page will be updated periodically as new information becomes available.

Steps to increase safety

  • All clinicians working in the Philadelphia office have been fully vaccinated.
  • All clients have reported full vaccination status.
  • Gaps are scheduled between appointments to reduce exposure between clients.
  • Air purifiers by Molekule operate continuously in both the waiting room and the consulting room. According to the manufacturer, Molekule Air Mini and Air Mini+ purifiers “satisfy performance criteria outlined in FDA guidance for use in helping to reduce potential exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus.” Learn more

Expectations and agreements

  • In-person appointments are not required. Telehealth will continue in many circumstances, including clients’ personal preference and when necessitated by safety considerations.
  • While steps have been taken to reduce risk, meeting in person increases risk of exposure to Covid-19 compared to Telehealth. It is important to weigh clinical benefits of meeting in-person against the risk of exposure to Covid-19. You and I will discuss this risk/benefit ratio on an individual basis.
  • Do not come into the office if you have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past two weeks, or if you recently had contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19.
  • Do not come into the office if you have a fever, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting.
  • In accordance with current city guidelines, masks are not required, but are suggested as a courtesy in the building and in our waiting room.
  • Masks are not required in the consulting room during your appointment.
  • Eating, drinking, and phone conversations are not permitted in the waiting room.
  • Please arrive shortly before your appointment and leave quickly afterwards.
  • This guidance is expected to change over time in accordance with public health recommendations.

Location

Telehealth during the Covid-19 Pandemic

March 19, 2020

Personal Responsibility

March 15, 2020

Telepsychology Informed Consent

March 14, 2020

Telehealth Orientation

Telehealth during COVID-19 Pandemic: Your Privacy and Business Associate Agreement with Videoconferencing Provider

March 12, 2020

Telehealth during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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