COVID-19 AND PATIENT SAFETY 

Since reopening on 5/4/2020, The MVA Center has been following stringent protocols regarding cleaning, disinfecting and scheduling as well as staff use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Our goal, above all else, is to protect the health and safety of our patients and staff. We will continue to conduct travel and symptom screening with all patients, as well as inquire about Covid-testing results if applicable. This is of even greater importance given the currently high risk of exposure to Covid-19 combined with seasonal influenza. We appreciate our patients’ understanding of the time it takes for calls and screening as well as the need to reschedule any appointments depending on the circumstances. We also thank our patients for proactively notifying staff of testing requirements or potential exposure so that we are able to accommodate rescheduling needs.  

For continued updates regarding travel or any other guidelines from the Commonwealth of MA, please go to http: /www.mass.gov/MAtraveler. We regularly review their updates and the MVA Center Facebook page will reflect any changes, specifically with the most recent update to the list of “low-risk states.”

With travel from a higher-risk state (Travel Order outlined on the mass.gov website), we will reschedule your appointment to a date after the mandatory 14-day quarantine is over. If you experience any symptoms during the 14-day quarantine period, we will extend the appointment date to 14 days after you first noticed symptoms. If you wish to shorten the 14-day quarantine period, in addition to the State-mandated negative test result, our offices require a second negative result from another test taken, at minimum, 3 days (72 hours) after return.

We thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we review and adjust our procedures to any changes in the existing environment to maintain the continued health and safety of our patients and staff.

 -The Staff of the MVA Center 

If you are a new patient to our practice, please review the following items regarding our Covid-related protocols and safety requirements.

Your health is of the greatest importance to us. Given the current developments regarding Covid-19, we would like to advise you of the precautions being taken. We ask for your help in keeping yourselves and others healthy. If you have any of the symptoms listed below, please call us to reschedule your appointment (413-734-8440). We will also screen for symptoms when calling to remind you of your appointments.

• Our staff will call to confirm your appointments and ask if you have any of the symptoms above. If you do, you will be asked to reschedule your appointment.

• If anyone in your household has any of the above symptoms, please call to reschedule your appointment.

• If you come in for your appointment and you visibly display any of the symptoms above, the MVA Center reserves the right to refuse treatment and reschedule your appointment to, at minimum, one week after that day’s scheduled appointment. This is to protect you, the health of other patients, and our staff.

• If someone must come with you to your appointment, please do not bring more than one person with you. Please make sure that the person coming with you is not sick. 

• The MA Travel Order: Our staff will ask about recent travel to a “higher-risk state.” You can find detailed, updated information regarding travel and quarantine regulations at mass.gov/matraveler. 

 

• If you are returning from a higher-risk state, you must quarantine for a minimum of 14 days after return. You may shorten this quarantine period by obtaining a Covid-19 test at minimum 3 days after your return. The test result must be negative. If you experience any symptoms of Covid-19 during this quarantine period, your revised 14-day quarantine begins after the onset of symptoms.

• You must wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth during the time you are in the office (waiting and during your treatment).  

• You will be asked to place your belongings in a sealed plastic bag when you arrive. Please be mindful of bringing only the necessities to your appointment. Cell phone function is not affected by the clear plastic bag we use.

• Please do not bring food or drinks to your appointment. Eating in the office is not permitted.

• You will be screened for fever by hospital staff in the building lobby. This is required by the hospital. If your appointment is at 4:00 pm or later, you will be screened for fever with a touchless thermometer by an MVA Center staff member in the office. If you have a fever of 99.9 or higher, your appointment will be rescheduled.

• We ask that you practice social distancing while in the office. Our waiting room is set up for this. Appointments are also scheduled in a way to minimize the number of people inside the office at any time.

• Hand sanitizer is readily available, and staff will provide it to you on arrival.

Thank you for your understanding as we navigate this Covid-19 environment.  

- The MVA Center Staff