At Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, and throughout the University of Miami Health System, your health and safety remains our priority. It has been a challenging time for all of us as we experienced changes in our daily lives, including how we manage our health care, and we know patients undergoing cancer treatment have unique needs.
Whether you have visited one of our facilities since the onset of COVID-19 or not, we want you to know that we have implemented many new guidelines to keep you and our employees safe. You may also have the option to see one of our expert cancer providers virtually, and we want you to be prepared. Here is what you need to know:
SCREENINGS
To keep everyone who enters our facilities safe, we conduct COVID-19 screenings prior to in-person appointments. The screening is easy and takes less than a minute. This screening will include questions about your potential exposure to COVID-19, current symptoms and may include a temperature reading. Anyone suspected of having COVID-19, or an exposure, is quickly moved to an isolated area and is cared for in a dedicated space.
MASK AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
We know that masks protect us and help us protect others while in public places. To be sure everyone is wearing a mask in our facilities, we will provide you with a mask when you arrive. Please remember to have your mask cover your nose and mouth at all times, and do not remove it unless asked to do so by your provider. Please note that children under two years of age should not wear a mask.
You will also notice that all of our providers and staff are wearing masks as well, and they have the personal protective equipment they need to keep them safe.
TESTING
If you are scheduled for surgery or a procedure, you may be tested prior to that appointment to give you and the team caring for you peace of mind. You will be given instructions and all pertinent information regarding testing, if needed.
PHYSICAL CHANGES AT OUR FACILITIES
You will see changes at our facilities, including new signage that reminds everyone to practice physical distancing. We are limiting the number of people onsite at one time and waiting rooms have been rearranged as needed, to create more space. We have installed plexiglass partitions to create a separation between you and our staff, where appropriate, and you will notice that magazines and other items have been removed from waiting areas. We also have plenty of hand sanitizer available for everyone throughout our facilities.
Rest assured that our teams continually wipe down and disinfect all surfaces throughout the day, but we welcome you to wait where you feel most comfortable. A member of our team will be happy to call you when it’s time for you to see your provider. As an extra measure of precaution, all registration paperwork and consent for care will be done electronically.
ATTIRE
You may notice your provider without a tie, suit jacket, dress or lab coat. That’s because we are wearing clothes that can be washed daily as we return home to our families.
EMERGENCY CARE
Emergencies don’t wait, and neither should you. If you experience a medical emergency, it is important to seek care immediately. Call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room to receive the life-saving treatment you may need.
VIRTUAL VISITS
If you prefer to see your provider virtually, your provider’s office can help you with scheduling. Before your virtual visit, we will ensure you have everything you need for an easy, convenient experience. We will walk you through every step of the process. Depending on the reason for your visit, we may need to see you in person or via a combination of in-person and virtual visits. We will work with you on the best appointment type for each visit.
If you have any questions about the safety measures that are in place, or concerns about your upcoming appointment, please call 1-844-324-HOPE (4673). For additional information regarding COVID-19, please visit our COVID page.
We look forward to caring for you and seeing you soon.