Your Health is Our Priority

Dear Members,

I hope you all are well. Many of you have heard about the case of COVID-19 that was diagnosed in our community this weekend. Furthermore, many of you have heard inaccurate rumors that either the young woman with COVID-19 or some of her family members were at PALM Health over the past week. I want to address your concerns. We have confirmed with the family directly that no member of that family has visited PALM Health in recent weeks.

Your health and safety is our priority, and we will continue to be transparent with you. Here is what we are doing at PALM Health to support our community:

We are following CDC guidelines to triage anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms prior to having an in-person appointment. Patients with any concerning symptoms will be evaluated by phone prior to visiting PALM Health. We are working with local and state health departments for testing.
Medical patients authorized to have an in-person appointment will use a separate entrance and waiting area, and will be asked to wear a mask. Likewise, employees will be taking additional preventive measures in caring for patients.
We escalated our standard flu season cleaning and disinfectant procedures throughout the building. Our procedures include thoroughly wiping equipment, fitness props, door handles, computers and keyboards, pens, locker room keypads, and all common surfaces every 30 minutes, as well as attentively cleaning all rooms and surfaces between every client.
We removed materials that many people touch frequently, such as the self-serve coffee station, salt and pepper shakers, and blankets in common areas.
Employees are required to wash their hands with soap and hot water for over 20 seconds between each client, and at least every hour.
We are waiving the fees for any cancelled service for clients who are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms.
Our employees will stay home if they have any cold or flu-like symptoms. We appreciate your understanding that some appointments may be cancelled or offered via video conference.
Our employees will take extra precaution at home, at work, and in the community at large by following attentive preventive health practices and avoiding hugging or hand shaking.

What you can do to further protect yourself and other community members:

Stay Home. Stay home if you have cold or flu-like symptoms. If you are a patient of the medical clinic, please call the medical practice if you have any concerning symptoms so you can be appropriately screened or tested prior to having an appointment.
Consider Others. “Sweat it out” is an age-old adage for treating colds and viruses. There are benefits to using infrared saunas, steam rooms, and Biomat therapy to help boost the immune system. However, this is a preventative approach. If you are symptomatic with cold or flu-like symptoms, please be considerate of others and do not try and “sweat it out.”
Contain the Spray. Use a tissue and throw it away when coughing or sneezing. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your arm and do not use your hand.
Soap Up. Wash your hands with soap and hot water regularly for over 20 seconds.
Stop the Shake. Bump elbows or feet as your greeting. Avoid hugging and handshaking during this time of increased precautions.

Remember that most people with COVID-19 will only experience mild to moderate symptoms. That being said, it is important to prevent the spread of the virus and to work to protect those who are immunocompromised or at higher risk for developing more severe illness. We encourage your vigilance to take care of yourself and others.

Thank you for your cooperation during this time of concern for you and our community members. Stay rested, hydrated, well-nourished, and calm to support your own immune system, and again, please contact me or Sita Kedia, MD, our Chief Medical Officer, with any concerns.

Sincerely,