Posted by: Carolinas Center for Sight in Patient Safety Information

Mask Policy

Our first concern is everyone’s safety. The CDC eased indoor mask guidance, now relying on how COVID-19 is affecting a community’s healthcare system, rather than transmission rates alone, as a guide for mask recommendations. Masks are optional when visiting our clinics based on your preference. You may request that your doctor and/or care team wear a mask if you wish.

Rest assured, we are taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. To learn more about COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at cdc.gov.

Appointments + Telehealth

Appointments can be scheduled by calling  843-664-9393. Please remember that all appointments will continue to follow our COVID-19 pre-screening guidelines referenced above.  To stay connected with many of our patients, while closed, we launched Telehealth, which has become a critical part of our workspace. Now and in the future, Telehealth will allow us to remotely care for patients, including those who are “high risk,” with a virtual visit (video/audio), rather than in-office care. If you are interested in booking a Telehealth appointment, click here to learn more.

Information provided by CDC on COVID-19:

Potential mitigation activities according to level of community transmission or impact of COVID-19 by setting.

None to Minimal

  • Know where to find local information on COVID-19 and local trends of COVID-19 cases.
  • Know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do if symptomatic:
  1. Stay home when you are sick
  2. Call your health care provider’s office in advance of a visit
  3. Limit movement in the community
  4. Limit visitors
  • Know what additional measures those at high-risk and who are vulnerable should take.
  • Implement personal protective measures (e.g., stay home when sick, handwashing, respiratory etiquette, clean frequently touched surfaces daily).
  • Create a household plan of action in case of illness in the household or disruption of daily activities due to COVID-19 in the community.
  1. Consider 2-week supply of prescription and over the counter medications, food and other essentials. Know how to get food delivered if possible.
  2. Establish ways to communicate with others (e.g., family, friends, co-workers).
  3. Establish plans to telework, what to do about childcare needs, how to adapt to cancellation of events.
  • Know about emergency operations plans for schools/workplaces of household members.

Minimal to Moderate

  • Continue to monitor local information about COVID-19 in your community.
  • Continue to practice personal protective measures.
  • Continue to put household plan into action.
  • Individuals at increased risk of severe illness should consider staying at home and avoiding gatherings or other situations of potential exposures, including travel.

Substantial

  • Continue to monitor local information.
  • Continue to practice personal protective measures.
  • Continue to put household plan into place.
  • All individuals should limit community movement and adapt to disruptions in routine activities (e.g., school and/or work closures) according to guidance from local officials.