What’s the Risk of Visiting a Doctor’s Office Right Now?

Visiting your doctor may seem like a risky (and even counterintuitive) activity when you’re trying to avoid Covid-19, but medical offices are actually among the safer destinations during this time. 

Here’s what top epidemiologists from across the country and leading publications are saying:

• 89% of a group of 511 epidemiologists said they would feel comfortable going to a doctor for non-emergency reasons this year. (New York Times)
• Five leading epidemiologists were asked to rate everyday activities from 1 to 5, with 1 being a low-risk activity and 5 being a high risk activity. “Going to the Doctor” was one of the lowest rated activities, with a score of 2.1, rated lower than activities like “Returning to Your Office” (2.6) and “Getting a Haircut” (3.4). (Reuters)
• Out of nine high-level public health experts surveyed, eight said they would advise people to not delay routine medical care and continue visiting their doctor. (CNN)

HealthQuarters Is Going Above and Beyond to Keep You Safe

Because HealthQuarters was created, designed, and launched during the pandemic, we have highly considered guidelines to ensure every guest can feel confident and comfortable coming into our space. 

Here’s what we’re doing:

• We operate as a preventive-health space only. 

We do not test or treat guests for Covid, and we do not take walk-in appointments.

• All guests are screened for Covid 2-3 times during their booking process. 

Any guest who fails any of the initial screenings or the on-site temperature check, is not allowed to enter HealthQuarters and will have their appointment immediately rescheduled.

• All staff members are screened and temperature checked before every shift.

Each staff member goes through multiple screening touchpoints before beginning their day at HealthQuarters. Any staff member who fails a screening is immediately sent home.

• We offer a touch safe experience throughout our spaces. 

Our doors are equipped with toe grips, so guests and staff don't have to touch them with their hands. Our bathrooms have touchless sinks, soap dispensers, and hand dryers. Digital screens are cleaned and disinfected after each interaction. 

• Any surfaces that are touched in our office are disinfected with medical grade disinfectant multiple times per hour. 

HealthQuarters staff are trained on the most up-to-date guidelines regarding cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and conduct regular cleaning rounds throughout our space.

• Our waiting lounge seating has been designed to encourage social distancing.

‍Specifically-designed seating fixtures orient guests at safe distances and in different directions.

• Our guest capacity within HealthQuarters has been reduced to ensure social distancing.

We have drastically reduced the number of guests we have in our location at any one time to ensure increased space to move without concern.

• We have installed hospital-grade Merv 14 air filters throughout our ventilation system.

HealthQuarters Covid FAQ

• Does HealthQuarters offer Covid testing?

HealthQuarters does not offer Covid-19 testing at this time.

• Can I get the Covid-19 vaccine at HealthQuarters?

HealthQuarters is not administering the COVID-19 vaccine at this time. If we are able and choose to administer the vaccine in the future, we will notify guests via our email list, which can you can join by signing up at the bottom of our home page.

• Why is HeathQuarters opening a medical and wellness facility during the COVID pandemic?

The team at HealthQuarters, together with Mount Sinai Health System and all of our independent wellness and clinical providers, felt it was important to open our first location as soon as possible so New Yorkers will have more options for safely and proactively pursuing preventive health. HealthQuarters brings a continuum of care—from medical to wellness—under one roof, which, alongside a variety of additional design and experience-based safety precautions, creates an environment that guests can be confident in visiting.

Understanding Your Risk

As you assess your risk, it’s also essential to understand that doctor’s offices have guidelines in place to ensure their spaces are some of the safest public settings. And at HealthQuarters that remains the case.

If you have questions or concerns about our health precautions and procedures, or about the safeguards in place for your upcoming appointment, please reach out to us at hello@healthquarters.com.