Lincolnshire Animal Hospital: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response

March 18, 2020

UPDATE FOR OUR CLIENTS: NEW PROTOCOLS

Lincolnshire Animal Hospital recognizes the importance of continuing to serve you reliably, safely and compliantly during this Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  At this time, Lincolnshire Animal Hospital is updating their Coronavirus (COVID-19) protocol based on CDC guidelines.

While our clinic remains open, we are requiring a closed reception area. No clients will be allowed to enter the hospital for everyone’s well-being and safety. This is not due to any exposure at our clinic but to continue our diligence in providing you and your pet with a safe visit.   

Below, we have listed the new protocols to enable you and your pet access to the healthcare they need while providing a safe environment.

New Protocol for your Appointment:

• Please pull into parking lot and call our receptionists at (847) 634-9250 to advise you have arrived.
• A technician will then come out to your car and bring your pet into the clinic.  They will ask for your cell phone number.
• If this is for a doctor’s visit, our doctor will call you at that time to get a current history and for your pet’s reason for the appointment.
• Post visit, the technician will bring your pet back to the car and any required medications.  If this was a technician visit, they will review the visit with you.  If this was a doctor’s visit, your doctor will call you to discuss the visit and treatment.  Reception will then follow up with you for a payment via phone. 

New Protocol for Surgery Check-In:

• Please pull into parking lot and call our receptionists at (847) 634-9250 to advise you have arrived.
• A technician will call you on the phone shortly after to go over procedures.
• Technician will then come out to the car to have you sign authorization forms and to bring the pet into the clinic.  They will request your phone number for follow up.

New Protocol for Surgery Pick Up:

• Please pull into parking lot and call our receptionists at (847) 634-9250 to advise you have arrived.
• A technician will come on the phone to go over how the procedure went and further follow up or treatment.
• Technician will then bring the patient back to the car.
• Receptionist will contact you for payment over the phone.

Protocol for Requesting Medications:

• Call the clinic to fill prescription at (847) 634-9250.  
• A receptionist can call you to arrange payment via the phone.
• We can then put medications in our Medication Box, a brown box located to the left of our front doors.

NOTE: If your drugs are a controlled substance, we will have you pick up the medications.  Call the clinic when you arrive, we will bring them out to your vehicle.

Another option we can offer for keeping you and your pet safe will be the option to request a Telemedicine Visit.

If you are concerned and would prefer not to come to the clinic at this time for your safety or if you are feeling symptomatic, we can set up a telemedicine appointment with one of our doctors. 

Feel free to contact us for such an appointment if you are having any of the below issues with your pet:  

• Bladder/UTI issues
• Ear Issues
• Mild Stomach Upset
• Mild Lameness
• Diarrhea
• Skin Issues

Protocol for Telemedicine Appointment:

• Call clinic and ask to set up a telemedicine appointment.
• We will set up date/time for the phone call.
• Please note that based on virtual visit, it may be possible that the doctor requires you to drop off a specimen sample.  2 Boxes will be located outside the front door:   Fecal Specimens & All Other Specimens
• Based on phone call, an actual visit may be required to further treat your pet.

Telemedicine charges are:

$45.00 – cover the virtual exam and a progress report within 48 hours of the initial call.  

$20.00 – if a recheck call is needed.

We will work diligently to continue to provide you and your pets with the standard of care you expect at Lincolnshire Animal Hospital. As always, if you have any questions – please call our clinic at 847-634-9250 to speak with a member of our staff.

For further information on protecting yourself and your pets from COVID-19, please read the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association’s (ISVMA) latest handout.

---

March 17, 2020

UPDATE FOR OUR CLIENTS:

Based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Illinois Department of Health, we are asking that clients please call from their car when they arrive and remain there until we call with a room ready for you.  

Please enter through the side door (located on the East side of the building) once you are called for your appointment time.  

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this difficult time.  Our goal is to remain operational and protect you, our clients, as best as we can through the duration of this outbreak.  Establishing these protocols provide the best path to that pledge.  

Lincolnshire Animal Hospital Management

---

March 13, 2020

Lincolnshire Animal Hospital recognizes the importance of continuing to serve you reliably, safely, and compliantly during this Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  We assure you that since the onset, we’ve taken the proper measures to continue to provide you and your pets with the highest quality of care.

Lincolnshire Animal Hospital is closely following and implementing the Center for Disease Control (CDC) protocol for COVID-19.

We are providing guidance and ongoing communication to all team members on:

• Increasing the frequency and extent of our cleaning practices, such as additional wiping down of all hard surfaces including the front desk, examination rooms, and offices.
• Implementing heightened sanitation and hand-washing procedures for all staff.
• Operating at safe distances.
• Proper protocol for coughing and sneezing.
• Staff who are ill will remain at home. At this time, no staff has been self quarantined.

If you are not feeling well and/or are presenting possible symptoms of COVID-19 but need to seek treatment for your pet, please contact our front desk to set up an appointment.  We will work with you to make special accommodations to ensure the well-being of your pet.

This includes if you have:

• Fever
• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Traveled outside the country in the past few weeks

We will work diligently to continue to provide you and your pets with the standard of care you expect at Lincolnshire Animal Hospital. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office and speak with a staff member today.

Please read the AVMA’s COVID-19 FAQ for Pet Owners.

Thank you,

The Doctors and Staff of Lincolnshire Animal Hospital