Hamilton Cardiology Associates COVID-19 Office Policies and Protocols - Hamilton Cardiology Associates - New Jersey's Leading Board Certified Cardiologists

Updated 10/25/21

In our practice, the safety and well-being of the Hamilton Cardiology Family (our patients, their families, and our staff) is our highest priority and most important responsibility. We created this COVID-19 page to provide you with the most up to date information regarding the pandemic and vaccination availability.

On Thursday, October 21, 2021 the CDC updated its recommendation regarding booster shots for the COVID-19 vaccines.

For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series:

· 65 years and older

· Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings

· Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions

· Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings

For the nearly 15 million people who got the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, booster shots are also recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago.

Click the link below to read the full statement:

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p1021-covid-booster.html

Additionally, The State of New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub is an excellent resource for how and where to make a vaccination appointment in New Jersey:

https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/finder?utm_campaign=20211022_nwsltr&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Hamilton Cardiology Associates encourages all patients to receive the full doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as well as the booster as recommended by the CDC. Visit the below link for more information about the COVID-19 vaccines:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html?s_cid=10493:cdc%20covid%20vaccine:sem.ga:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN:FY21

If you HAVE been vaccinated, the CDC has a dedicated page to provide guidance for those who have been vaccinated:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html

Reporting Side Effects of the Vaccine

Everyone who receives the vaccine should be provided with an information sheet at the time of administration that encourages you to download the app on your smart device that will track your symptoms after administration. It allows you to report symptoms directly to the CDC. Once you register on the app, you will receive daily text reminders to “check in” and report how you are feeling.

Please refer to this link if you would like to report side effects from the COVID vaccine or booster to the CDC

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vsafe.html

The CDC and New Jersey have provided web pages dedicated to travel and vaccination information. Click on the links below for more information:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/infographic/infographic-quick-reference.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/infographic/infographic-international-quick-reference.html

https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/travel-and-transportation/are-there-travel-restrictions-to-or-from-new-jersey

https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine

The Delta Variant

The below link contains the latest information from the CDC regarding the Delta Variant

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/delta-variant.html

Office Policies and Protocols

We are looking forward to seeing you in the office for your upcoming appointment. Hamilton Cardiology Associates is taking every precaution to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our patients and staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In accordance with the latest CDC and State of New Jersey guidelines, masks will continue to be required prior to entering all of our facilities, as well as temperature check upon entry, regardless of vaccination status.

Additionally, we have implemented a screening protocol for all patients and visitors prior to entering the facility. If you answer “yes” to any of the below screening questions and have not received the COVID vaccine, you may be asked to reschedule your appointment:

Have you or anyone in your household travelled out of the tri-state area or internationally within the past 10 days?
Have you tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 21 days, or do you have a pending antigen test?
Have you been exposed to any person with the COVID-19 virus, or person under investigation (PUI), or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 within the past 2 weeks?
Have you had a fever (>/= 100.4), within the past 14 days?

In addition to our screening protocol, we have taken the following additional measures:

You will be asked to wait in your vehicle rather than the waiting room
The check in and checkout process will occur remotely
We are restricting all visitation except in cases in which the visitor is needed to provide direct assistance to the patient during the visit (e.g. translation, medical history). All patients’ visitors are required to wear a protective mask at all times while in the office.
The waiting room area has been reconfigured to maintain a 6 foot social distance, and will be restricted to those patients who require transportation
All staff, providers, vendors and approved visitors will receive a health screening (including a temperature check and a series of questions) prior to entering the office
Hand sanitizer will be available in all patient care areas
All clinical care providers are required to follow strict hand washing protocols and to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as they care for patients.
We have created signs that encourage social distancing.
Frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned regularly using EPA-registered disinfectants—counters, exam tables, seating.