Letter to the Editor - To our Hi-Line community

What do you say during a pandemic? What messages are the most helpful? Our simple message from Northern Montana Vision Center is that we are here for you and we are open. Dr. Whitacre and I are here for any of your eye care needs, whether it be emergent, urgent or routine.

Over the past few weeks we have increased our scheduling of routine visits from a previous policy of only urgent and emergent exams. Our department policies include safe and measured scheduling to limit wait times and control the number of patients in our waiting room at any given time.

We have implemented special “social distancing” optical appointments to allow patients a chance to shop for a new frame without the worry of a crowded facility. We also sanitize each frame after any contact with a patient during the selection process.

In addition to our optical being open, we are scheduling evaluations for cataract and retina surgeries. Elective surgeries, such as cataract and some retina surgeries, are defined as surgeries that can be scheduled in advance and do not involve a medical emergency. We are scheduling elective surgeries with a slightly altered schedule to ensure safety.

There are also a few enhanced check-in procedures that are important to be aware of at Surgical Day Care — SDC — at Northern Montana Hospital. Patients are being allowed one adult support person to accompany them into our building. Both the patient and the support person will be screened prior to entry. This screening consists of a temperature check, questions about symptoms, travel questions and possible risk/exposures. Both the patient and support person will be masked. They are encouraged to bring their own mask, but if not available, they will have one issued to them. The support person will then be escorted into a room in our SDC area. The support person will remain in this room in the SDC until the patient is released. Once the procedure/surgery is complete and the patient has recovered, we will release them to return home.

As many wise people have said, we are all in this together and if we all do our part we will get through this. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 262-2020. We look forward to seeing you and we are hopeful that the rest of 2020 will find you healthy.

Sincerely,

Erica Farmer, Optometrist

Northern Montana Vision Center