Dear Members,
An updated link for tonight’s COVID-19 forum has been emailed to you. If you did not receive the link, please email us at acccos.exec.assistant@gmail.com for assistance.
Sincerely,
The ACCCOS board
COVID-19 FORUM sharing safe practices, MAY 21! Please join!
Dear Members,
We thought it would be a great idea to bring our 200+ members together, so that we can share ideas on how we are all reopening our practices during this pandemic. The ACCCOS board members will moderate a forum this Thursday, May 21 at 7 PM via zoom. Chris Gee, COA trustee, will also be present to answer any questions.
The link can be found in your emails. If you are unable to locate the Zoom information, please send us a message on our contact page.
Examples of topics to discuss:
-How many patients a day are we starting to see?
-What precautions are we all taking? (PPE, disinfecting)
-How are we maintaining social distancing within our practices?
-What if we have a patient diagnosed with COVID?
-What are some nearby COVID testing sites?
Please fill out other specific questions you have in advance:
https://forms.gle/SupScjzaoDHHdLcv5
See you there, and looking forward to share ideas.
Sincerely,
The ACCCOS board
June 1 GMM
Online via Zoom
6:30pm - 9:00pm
RSVP by May 25th to receive the registration link!
Jesse Jung, MD
“Refining the Diagnosis and Management of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration”
--------------------------------------------
Late sign-up deadline date = 5/18/20
Cost:
Free - ACCCOS who register by the late sign-up date
$25 - ACCCOS members after the late sign-up date
$50 - Non-ACCCOS COA members
$80 - Non-COA members
**$45 Late Sign-up Fee - Non-ACCCOS members who register after the late sign-up date
**$45 No Show Fee - Penalty for RSVP without attendance
All attendees must register by 5/25/20
RSVP on our MEMBERS ONLY page on the ACCCOS website or contact us for information.
Please note that to receive continuing education credit, you must arrive no later than ten minutes after the lecture has started. Only full will be granted; no partial credit will be given for attending only a portion of the lecture.
Updated Shelter-In Place Guidelines for the Bay Area
Dear members,
The Alameda County and Contra Costa Counties have both extended their shelter-in-place until May 31st with some easing of restrictions, such as re-opening of some outdoor businesses. It is also encouraged by COA that our society consults our local public health officers to determine whether we can resume full scope services and whether it is safe to do so in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alameda County and Contra Costa Counties still strongly recommend telemedicine and remote visits as much as possible, but both have deemed routine eye care as essential (see links on counties shelter-in place orders below effective May 4). However, each individual's situation is different, and reducing risk as much as possible to continue to prevent spread is recommended. We are primarily concerned about the safety and well-being of our members, but we understand the financial strain of remaining closed. If you are considering re-opening, precaution should be taken, such as the use of PPE and social distancing when possible. We also recommend following the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)'s "Outpatient Visit Guidelines" with priority scheduling for these patients:
Patients with acute illnesses that cannot be handled through telehealth
Patients with chronic illness that have not been seen due to Stay-at-Home rules and need in person visit
Preventive services, including vaccinations
List of previously cancelled or postponed patients
Other patients needing in person visit to monitor status or assess illness, etc.
Further guidelines on re-opening safely can be found on COA- COVID-19's webpage for more information:
Revised practice reactivation list: https://sites.google.com/coaboard.org/coa2020/practice-resources/practice-reactivation?authuser=0
Sources of PPE: https://sites.google.com/coaboard.org/coa2020/practice-resources/ppe?authuser=0
COA: COVID resources: https://sites.google.com/coaboard.org/coa2020/covid-19/news-and-updates?authuser=0
Please review public health orders:
Alameda County Public Health Order- Shelter in Place FAQs: http://www.acphd.org/media/572863/health-officer-order-20-10-shelter-in-place-04.29.2020-faq.pdf
Contra Costa County Public Health Order- Shelter in Place FAQs: https://813dcad3-2b07-4f3f-a25e-23c48c566922.filesusr.com/ugd/84606e_e356b7abdfc74bdebe9add593b54d306.pdf
Sincerely,
Jennifer Fisher
ACCCOS President
PPE and Mask Donation Drive
As COVID-19 patient cases increase, a number of hospitals and clinics in the East Bay are facing shortages and asking for donations of personal protective equipment (PPE), masks, and other supplies. If you have some to spare, please consider donating. Here is a compilation of bay area hospitals and clinics that are accepting donations, with contact info and instructions: