Mangalore Institute of Oncology (MIO) is prepared for a possible outbreak of infection and is following the guidelines and recommendations Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). MIO is taking every necessary precaution to monitor, protect and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Due to the current situation with the COVID-19 outbreak and potential health risks, MIO is taking steps to help reduce the possibility of exposure to our facilities.
Effective from March 24th2020, MIO will not be permitting visitors to visit patients:
Patients who have completed treatment atleast a year back and are healthy will now be able to schedule a telephonic consultation.
Special consideration can be made for critical patients and patients who need assistance. We are advising patients to cancel any unnecessary consultant’s appointments. One or two days prior to your scheduled appointment, you will receive a reminder call. We will ask several questions before confirming your appointment:
The following measures will be taken: All outpatients will be expected to check-in at the front desk for screening before they are permitted any further into the facility.
They will be asked these following questions
1. Have you had contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus in the past 14 days?
2. Have you traveled to an affected geographic area in the past 14 days?
3. Have you had a fever in the past 24 hours?
4. Do you have any of the following symptoms: high fever, cough or shortness of breath?
Based on your response to these questions, we will keep your appointment, suggest you stay at home and monitor your symptoms or head to the emergency department to evaluate and test you for the virus. Since there is currently no cure for the virus, we are asking suspected patients if they have been in contact with a COVID-19 affected person and are not currently experiencing symptoms to self-isolate, if at all possible so as not to spread possible infection.
At MIO hospital premises the following care is being followed
When you enter the office for your appointment, please know we are taking every precaution to prevent the potential spread of the virus. The following protocols have been put into place:
1. Hand sanitizer is available at each waiting area and patients are instructed to use it on their arrival and departure.
2. Face masks will be available for patients who check in with respiratory symptoms. They will be asked to wear a mask, along with those accompanying them during their visit.
3. Patients with respiratory symptoms should separate, spatially, and keep 6 feet apart from other patients in the waiting area.
4. As this has now been declared a global pandemic, all patients will have their temperatures taken.
5. We ask that you limit yourself to one support person during your visit.
6. Children under the age of 12 and pregnant women are not permitted to be designated as a support person.
7. You have to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
8. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
9. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
10. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
11. Stay home when you are sick.
12. Avoid large crowds or gatherings for the next few weeks.
13. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
14. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a household cleaning spray or wipe.
15. Face masks should be used by people who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent further spread of the disease.
16. The use of face masks is crucial for healthcare workers and those caring for individuals in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
