With the new AO in place these very dated requirements are NO LONGER IN EFFECT in physician practices:

• Utilize telemedicine to the greatest extent possible
• Allow only one companion
• Stagger staff schedules and space appointments to minimize number of people in the office
• Install barriers between staff
• Clean high touch areas after each use
• Masks for staff in breakrooms
• Remove magazines from waiting rooms

In order to “practice in a manner consistent with the COVID guidance,” it is important to understand what the CDC recommends:

• Here’s the most updated CDC guidance for healthcare workers who have, or have been exposed to, COVID-19.
• Here’s the most updated CDC guidance for infection prevention in healthcare settings (including doctors’ offices, hospitals and home care).

The CDC still recommends:

• Signage in offices on infection control.
• Screening – but method is discretionary and no mandates on how to do it.
• Masking: see more below.
• Physical distancing: see more below

Masking/Physical Distancing:

High Community Transmission: 

Patients/Physicians and Staff:  Required masking/physical distance for patients and all health care staff regardless of vaccination status during high transmission.

Low/Moderate Community Transmission: 

Patients:  You may allow exceptions for masking/physical distance for patients who are up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses in healthcare settings during low/moderate transmission.

And to make it more confusing:

Staff:  Generally - Physicians and staff who are up to date with all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses:

• • May choose not to wear masks or physically distance when they are in well-defined areas that are restricted from patient access (e.g., staff meeting rooms, kitchen).
  • They should wear maskswhen they are in areas of the office where they could encounter patients (e.g., hospital cafeteria, exam rooms, waiting rooms, common halls/corridors).