COVID-19 PANDEMIC SURGICAL UPDATE AND INSTRUCTIONS

 *UPDATE - With mask requirements being lifted effective March 1, 2022, we will continue to follow Alberta Health Services guidelines for medical facilities and continue to require ALL PATIENTS to wear a mask during the duration of your appointment at our clinic. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to adjust our processes & surgical schedule accordingly in order to adhere to the mandated health guidelines that have been put in place by Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA). These guidelines are vital in keeping you, the patient, and our staff safe during this critical time. It is extremely important that you read this thoroughly and follow all of these instructions. 

If you come to your surgical appointment without having read this information, your surgery will be cancelled and you will be placed at the back of the que for a new appointment date. 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. We cannot allow anyone to attend the clinic with you for your procedure due to the COVID-19 pandemic unless there is a medical/necessary reason for someone to accompany you. Please have your ride drop you off and pick you up when you are discharged. 

2. You MUST have a ride to and from your procedure. You cannot drive yourself; this is mandatory. We thank you for your understanding and co-operation. 

3. You will be permitted in our surgical waiting area with socially distanced seating and a reduced number of patients in the waiting area. A mask or face-covering is required while in the surgical waiting area unless you are eating or drinking. If you are immunocompromised, you will be kept in your operative room for the entire duration of your procedure. 

4. Please bring your own entertainment (i.e. iPad/tablet, newspaper, book(s), etc.) to occupy your time. The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced our efficiencies, and therefore, once your skin cancer is removed, it may take up to 2 hours to be analyzed in the lab and get the results. Each time a layer is removed, you will have another 2-hour wait for lab results. If you are having more than one lesion treated, or have a large lesion, this process will take even longer. Hence, you should expect to be here for a minimum of 6 hours. 

5. Please ensure that you bring food/snacks with you, along with a drink in a container so that you are feeling well and adequately hydrated. 

6. Please stop your Aspirin/Baby Aspirin one (1) week prior to your procedure. It is OK to continue taking all of your other regular medications, including other blood thinners, as prescribed to you by your doctor. 

7. If you are on oxygen, bring a minimum supply for 8 hours. 

8. If you have had ANY of the following occur within the last 14 days, please DO NOT ATTEND the clinic and call our office immediately at (403) 700-0110 ext. 2 to reschedule your appointment: 

• Cough 

• Fever 

• Sore throat 

• Cold/Flu 

• Loss of sense of smell/taste 

• Eye irritation/Conjuctivitis 

• International travel 

• Contact with anyone that has been travelling or has tested positive for COVID-19 

• Are under mandatory quarantine 

We thank you for reading this and ensuring that you are fully prepared for your Mohs Surgery.