First, consider the prevalence of COVID-19 in your community. The date that your practice can reopen will depend on the incidence of COVID-19 in your practice area/patient population, and whether that rate is increasing or decreasing.
Please consider the following steps when reopening your practice1
The federal government has noted that a downward trajectory of documented cases over a 14-day period must occur before opening practices to elective visits and procedures. Consult with your local and state public health department for additional requirements. The AMA has developed a helpful chart summarizing each state’s directives on elective, non-urgent, or non-essential procedures.
Keep track of local and state public health department updates on transmission of COVID-19 cases. If cases begin to increase in your community, have a strategy in place to determine whether your practice will need to temporarily close or reduce services again.
Have a plan in place for patients who present with COVID-19 symptoms and who may require testing. Identify testing locations in your area to where you can refer patients for testing, or refer patients to their primary care provider.