COVID-19 WORKPLACE GUIDELINES
- Business Owner Support
- Employee Questionnaire
- Health Check Poster
- Stop the Spread
- Symptom Check
- Workplace Health Recommendations
Lake Forest Acute Care is closely monitoring the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.
As the situation evolves, LFAC will have frequent updates for patients regarding operations, testing developments, and other important COVID-19 related information.
During this time, Lake Forest Acute Care is continuing all regular services as well as taking walk-in patients with non coronavirus related concerns.
If you have questions about COVID-19 symptoms, please call us at 847.234.7950
Coronavirus FAQ
Coronaviruses were first identified in the 1950s and generally cause mild upper respiratory illness characterized by cough, fever, and/or body aches. This is very similar to most viral illnesses including flu and the common cold.
The current situation involves a new, or “novel,” coronavirus and the illness it causes is called COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). Because this virus is new, testing has been limited; there are no vaccines and no medicines designed specifically to treat it.
The complete clinical picture with regard to COVID-19 is not fully known. As the pandemic expands, the risk of exposure will increase, and all persons are at risk for getting infected. Older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, seem to be at higher risk of more serious illness due to COVID-19.
Everyone should be maximizing “social distancing” to slow down the spread of COVID-19, as the disease is now in the community and can be spread by people who may not have symptoms. Here are things you can do to protect yourself, your loved ones, and the community:
– Stay home unless it is necessary to go to work, purchase necessary items, help someone who needs support, or seek medical care.
– Do not visit friends, gather in groups or otherwise socialize in person. Use virtual technologies to stay connected.
– If you need medical care, consider telemedicine. You can call our office to discuss your specific concerns and a staff member will help to assess if you need to be seen.
Fever, cough/shortness of breath and body aches are the most common symptoms.
Since it is a virus, the coronavirus cannot be treated with antibiotics. Mild infections are treated in the same way as the common cold or flu with medications to relieve the symptoms of cough, congestion, and fever.
If you are in respiratory distress, please call 911. If you have a fever, cough, and other symptoms of a respiratory infection, but are not in respiratory distress, please visit our office at 1025 W Everett Street, Lake Forest IL. As a precaution, wear a mask if possible to limit exposure to others. Please call ahead or immediately notify the staff of your possible illness upon arrival. For patients who prefer not to visit the office, please call to schedule a telemedicine appointment with on of our physicians.
COVID-19 VIRUS TESTING
COVID-19 virus testing is available to anyone. This includes those who are currently experiencing symptoms as well as asymptomatic (no symptoms) caretakers, healthcare workers and first responders. If you feel you need to be tested, please call our office to schedule an appointment.
Lake Forest Acute Care is currently offering virus testing at no cost to patients. The published price for Covid-19 virus testing is $475.
COVID-19 ANTIBODY TESTING
Lake Forest Acute Care now offers COVID-19 antibody testing. This blood test looks for IgG antibodies in the blood to determine if your body has already encountered the COVID-19 virus, or indicates the absence of these antibodies. The test is available to anyone who is well and has not had symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
Lake Forest Acute Care is offering COVID-19 antibody screening and physician consultation for a flat rate of $225. All COVID-19 antibody screening fees must be paid prior to service. Lake Forest Acute Care is unable to submit COVID-19 antibody testing or physician consultation for COVID-19 antibody testing to insurance at this time.
Please stay aware and take proper precautions. The coronavirus spreads via respiratory droplets such as from a cough or sneeze, so you should be using the same prevention methods as you would to avoid a cold or the flu:
– 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.
– If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
– Avoid contact with people who are sick.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
– Stay home.
– Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
We take this situation very seriously and are lucky to have ample space of PPE to safely treat all of our patients. For us that means reinforcing our protocols, using appropriate supplies and devising rapid-response contingency plans. At Lake Forest Acute Care, all staff members are trained on the appropriate care for patients with flu-like symptoms and are wearing masks and using protective equipment when appropriate. We are following CDC and DOH guidelines to limit the spread of the virus including how we isolate patients with symptoms and how we disinfect rooms between patients.
ILLINOIS Department of Public Health:
Website: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus
ILLINOIS COVID-19 Response:
A COVID-19 website is available at https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Medication-Related COVID-19 FAQS
There is active research looking for treatments, but there is no FDA approved treatment for non-hospitalized patients at this time. FDA does have guidelines for hospitalized patients. People infected with this virus, benefit from & recover with supportive care such as rest, fluids, & fever control.
There are currently no medications available to prevent people from getting infected with this virus. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Follow CDC Guidelines How To Protect Yourself which include hand washing, cleaning frequently touched surfaces often, and social distancing.
There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19. The National Institutes of Health is developing a vaccine, but it will not be approved and available for use for at least a year.
There is currently no scientific evidence suggesting that use of ibuprofen can worsen COVID-19. This concern is hypothetical. The World Health Organization (WHO) has made no recommendation against the use of ibuprofen. If you are taking prescription ibuprofen, it is safe to continue taking it for your condition as prescribed by your provider. It is also safe to take either over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen at recommended doses for short-term use to relieve pain and reduce fever. Discuss with your providers about long-term use of either medication.
It is important for patients who have been prescribed ACE-Is and ARBs to continue their medication! The potential concern of worsening infection is hypothetical. There is currently no scientific evidence suggesting patients diagnosed with COVID-19 taking these medications had any better or worse treatment outcomes, while the benefits of reducing cardiovascular disease are well proven. The American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and Heart Failure Society of America recommends continued treatment as these medications are very important for your heart and your health. Do not stop taking any prescribed medication without first consulting your prescriber!
Yes, these therapies are important to maintain your various health conditions (examples: allergies, asthma, COPD) and should be taken as prescribed by your provider. Do not stop taking any prescribed medication without first consulting your prescriber. Known concerns about corticosteroid use in COVID-19 have only been identified in hospitalized and critically ill patients taking oral corticosteroids.
Given that there is a Public Health Emergency in effect, the requirements for an in-office visit every 3 months have been relaxed to ensure patients have no gaps in obtaining these medications. Please contact your provider’s office 2 weeks before you are due for a refill. In many cases you will be able to have a visit with your provider either by phone or video.
Yes, pharmacies will remain open to fill your medications. Essential retail businesses that are exempt from the mandate to cease storefront operations include pharmacies and other health care services. Many pharmacies are waiving delivery fees to promote social distancing and minimize risk.
Considering COVID-19 targets the lungs, we anticipate patients who smoke or vape tobacco or marijuana to be at increased risk of worse outcomes. Based on the information available and the known impact of smoking on other viral lung infections, it is encouraged to abstain from smoking or vaping tobacco or marijuana to minimize your risk. If you need assistance quitting, please contact your health care provider.