Carson Medical Group says some staff has been exposed to COVID-19

Carson Medical Group said Wednesday in a Facebook post that some of its employees were exposed to the COVID-19 virus. The medical group, established in 1974 in Northern Nevada, has locations in Carson City, Reno and Minden and employs more than 180 people.

The following is from the Carson Medical Group post on Facebook, where it discusses the situation and the steps it is taking to to minimize risk to its patients and staff.

Carson Medical Group would like to alleviate any community concerns. It’s common knowledge that health care providers are exposed and becoming ill with COVID-19 across the nation. All of us at Carson Medical Group work in healthcare to serve our communities, to put our whole heart in the care of our patients, while often placing the health and welfare of others before ourselves.

As a health care organization continuing to provide essential services with over 180 employees, and the known prevalence of COVID-19 in our community, we knew it would only be a matter of time until some employees were exposed to the virus. Carson Medical Group has immense gratitude for our providers and staff for putting themselves at additional risk in order to continue to care for our community during these challenging times.

Carson Medical Group would like to share with the community what we are doing to minimize risk to our patients and our staff. Due to patient privacy laws, Carson Medical Group cannot provide any specifics on positive employees as they are also patients of the Practice. We are working very closely with the Carson City Health Department. This collaboration not only includes how best to care for patients during the COVID outbreak, but also how best to protect our employees.

Carson Medical Group has had processes in place well in advance to help protect our employees and patients as much as possible. Carson Medical Group began its response to COVID-19 in mid-March with many new procedures implemented over the last month, including:

Employees are closely monitored for symptoms, including a temperature screening before entering the building each day. Any employee with the slightest possible symptom of COVID-19 is immediately quarantined at home, assessed by a health care provider, and tested for the virus. As health care providers, it is necessary that testing be more accessible than for others in the community, so we have been able to test a number of employees. Having the testing in place is an important component of keeping our patients safe. Any positive result is immediately reported the Health Department.

All providers and staff are wearing masks at all times while in the office, whether the individual has direct patient contact or not.

All non-essential visits have been canceled. This decision was made early on to reduce patient interactions, and to help “flatten the curve” in the community.

Telehealth visits are being utilized as much as possible to minimize exposure.

All patients with fever, cough, congestion, shortness of breath, sore throat, or any other possible COVID-19 related symptoms are being seen only at CMG Plus, Carson Medical Group’s walk-in clinic. This helps reduce the risks to other patients that still need care within our other office locations. These patients are cared for in their personal vehicles and do not enter the facility.

All patients and visitors entering our facilities are screened for a fever and symptoms. Those identified as having symptoms are re-directed to CMG Plus for assessment and care.

Visitors accompanying a patient for an essential visit are limited to one parent/guardian with a child or one caregiver with a patient needing assistance.

Patients with appointments at our normal office locations wait in their car until the exam room is ready. Exam rooms are disinfected after each use.

Individuals in the community still require essential health care services during times of crisis, some for the treatment of COVID-19 related symptoms. Carson Medical Group continues to be available to our patients in their times of need; striving to provide high quality patient-centered care in a safe environment.