Welcome to Manotick Medical Centre (Currently, we are not accepting new patients)

COVID UPDATE: JANAURY 7, 2022

The province announced some significant changes to self-isolation requirements and testing eligibility due to the Omicron surge. High case counts limits testing capacity and evolving guidance continues to change our approach for serving patients. As we are managing a higher than normal volume of inquiries we ask that respectful language and behaviour be used in discussions with the members of our team.

KEY MESSAGES:

• IF you have SYMPTOMS – you CAN ASSUME you have COVID-19;
• MOST people do NOT NEED a COVID-19 TEST to confirm diagnosis;
• COVID TESTS are now RESERVED for high-risk setting and high-risk individuals;
• ISOLATION guidance has changed which means SOME will ONLY NEED to ISOLATE for 5 days;
• HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS of people who have SYMPTOMS also NEED to SELF-ISOLATE;
• 2 DOSES of a COVID-19 vaccine continue to provide EXCELLENT PROTECTION against severe disease for those with healthy immune systems. Most people with 2 COVID-19 vaccines and healthy immune symptoms will have milder symptoms if they get COVID-19;
• 3 DOSES of a COVID-19 vaccine provide EVEN MORE PROTECTION from getting and transmitting the Omicron variant than 2 doses. All Ontarians 18+ are eligible for a 3rd dose 84 days after the 2nd

More information here https://covid-19.ontario.ca/getting-covid-19-vaccine

COVID-19 causes a range of symptoms that vary from person-to-person and includes new or worsening:

Fever > 37.8˚ C and/or chills
Cough
Trouble breathing
Decrease or loss of smell or taste
Headache
Very tired, sore muscles and joints
Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea
Runny or stuffy nose
Sore throat

The number of people right now with COVID19 infection is so high that if you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should assume you have COVID-19 infection even if you are fully vaccinated.

Factors such as your age, your vaccination status and your health status will determine how long you need to self-isolate.

Please note all household members should also self-isolate if someone in the home has COVID-19, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms. The LINK below provides detailed information on what to do if you have symptoms.

COVID SYMPTOMS ALGORITHM

You can also use this on-line self-assessment for instructions on self-isolation and testing.

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment

 Provincial guidance on who is eligible for a PCR test has changed.

Most people do NOT need a COVID-19 test to confirm their diagnosis.

COVID tests are now being reserved for high risk settings (e.g. people who live or work in congregate settings, long-term care homes, hospitals etc.) and high-risk individuals (e.g. those 70 and over, people who are immunocompromised, people who are very ill, people who are under housed or homeless, Indigenous people).

If you have access to a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), you can use this to test yourself. However, if you have any of the above symptoms, a negative RAT does not mean that you do not have COVID-19.You should still isolate from the start of your symptoms.

Please note that we do not have any rapid antigen tests available in our clinic, and we are not scheduling appointments in the clinic for COVID-19 testing.

 If you test positive on a RAT, with or without symptoms, you should assume you have COVID-19 and self-isolate. A positive RAT at this time does not need to be confirmed with a PCR test, unless you meet the new provincial criteria for testing. Consider taking a picture of the positive RAT (labelled with your name and date) for your records.

The LINK below can help you decide what to do if you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 (e.g. because they tested positive on a RAT or PCR test OR because they have symptoms).

COVID EXPOSURE ALGORITHM

Most people will recover from COVID-19 using the same home remedies available for the common cold and/or influenza, including lots of rest, plenty of fluids and use over the counter medications for sore throats, body aches, headaches and fever.

Selected higher-risk individuals with COVID-19 should be considered for early treatment options, in consultation with their health care provider. Please call us to discuss potential need for treatment if you have a PCR confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, are over the age of 70 (50 years if First Nations, Inuit or Metis) and have any of the following conditions:

• Obesity (BMI>=30)
• Dialysis or stage 5 kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Cerebral Palsy
• Intellectual Disability
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Receiving active cancer treatment
• Solid organ or stem cell transplant recipients

Feeling sick with COVID-19 can also make it difficult to manage pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma or mood symptoms.

Please call us at any time if you need help managing any medical conditions while isolating at home with COVID-19.

Tracking your symptoms of COVID-19 can help you and your care team determine whether a clinic or hospital visit is needed. See our symptom tracker handout to help you identify and track your symptoms.

Please call us and specify that your concern is urgent if you:

• Have new or worsening discomfort in your chest;
• Have new or worsening trouble breathing;
• Have increasing or significant fatigue;
• Start feeling better and then get worse again (especially 5-8 days after the start of your symptoms);
• Are feeling lightheaded or dehydrated;
• If you have a pulse-oximeter at home and your oxygen level drops by 3% from usual or is below 93% at any time;
• If you are having challenges self-isolating because you cannot access food or other essential supports.

Please go to your closest emergency room or dial 911(or ask a family member/friend to dial 911) if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

Severe chest pain

Severe shortness of breath

Continuous vomiting and inability to drink any fluids

Serious trauma or injuries (i.e. bleeding that won’t stop, deep cuts, broken bones)

Sudden loss of vision

Sudden onset weakness of the face or arm/leg

Sudden inability to walk or talk

Due to the high volume of calls, please do not call to just to report a positive RAT or PCR if you are not at higher-risk (see above), have mild symptoms and can self-isolate.

This will allow our team to be available to address other health care concerns and any urgent COVID related concerns for those who need it.

We know this is a challenging time for many. Now, more than ever, adhering to public health measures to reduce spread is important.

Vaccination continues to provide excellent protection against severe disease. All adults 18+ are eligible to receive a 3rd dose 84 days after their 2nd dose. Current focus with a prioritization of booster vaccines for pregnant individuals.

Please book the vaccine dose you are eligible for using the provincial booking system.

Take care and be well!

Manotick Medical Centre FHO

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Influenza (Flu)

Getting your annual flu vaccine is an important way to help protect yourself, your family and vulnerable people in your community against seasonal flu. It will also help reduce the burden on Canada’s health care system during this unprecedented time. The flu vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, but, it will help reduce your risk of getting the flu and COVID-19 at the same time. Having both illnesses at the same time could put you at a higher risk for severe illness.

Further details can be found -> OTTAWA PUBLIC HEALTH –  INFLUENZA

FLU SHOT OPTIONS?

We are currently offering flu shots for those patients booked to be seen in-clinic for other unrelated reasons.

You may wish to check with your local pharmacy to see if they are able to provide you with a flu shot.

Ottawa Public Health will be holding community flu clinics for all Ottawa residents aged 6 months and older. These clinics will be held at several fixed locations across the city. Appointment bookings will be available by phone and online in the coming weeks. The booking information will be updated on this page as soon as it is available. See their website for further details ->>OTTAWA PUBLIC HEALTH

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School Immunization Inquiries?
Parents who are inquiring on the status of their children’s immunizations please contact Ottawa Public Health at Parenting – Ottawa Public Health or you may wish to call Public Health Nurse at 613-PARENTS [613-727-3687].

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COVID-19 Vaccine Updates:

The Manotick Medical is NOT administering COVID-19 vaccinations at this time. Vaccines are being organized and administered through public health and through select pharmacies.

We are encouraging eligible patients to get immunized with an available COVID-19 vaccine, when possible.

Your best resource for up-to-date information about when  you will be eligible and how you can receive the vaccine is through Ottawa Public Health directly. Please visit their website for more information -> Ottawa Public Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine page 

The Ministry of Health also offers a portal for individuals to: 1) book a COVID vaccination appointment(s) and 2) to download COVID vaccination receipts. Please visit their portal as follows:  COVID19_HEALTHONTARIO

COVID-19 VACCINE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS  

MANOTICK MEDICAL CENTRE SAFETY PLAN?
How is the Manotick Medical Centre (MMC) ensuring workers know how to keep themselves safe from exposure to COVID-19? See the attached link -> MANOTICK MEDICAL CENTRE SAFETY PLAN

MORE INFORMATION?
For more information about vaccine effectiveness, possible side effects, and eligibility, please visit -> Ottawa Public Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine page 

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COVID SCREENING & IN-CLINIC APPOINTMENTS

The Manotick Medical Centre (MMC) continues to respond to developments of COVID-19 and we are taking measures to protect our patients, staff, physicians and our community. As the situation changes our policies and booking guidelines have been evolving to keep in line with current recommendations by the Ministry of Health and Ottawa Public Health.

The MMC team is following the advice of Public Health Ontario to try to limit potential virus exposure of patients within the office, especially those with conditions that put them at high risk. Telephone/virtual visits have been recommended for certain visit types which do not require significant physical assessments. ​You will be notified if your scheduled office visit will be transitioned to a telephone/virtual visit.  Following the telephone/virtual visit, an in office assessment may be requested if deemed necessary by the Family Doctor, like, prenatal, new baby visits, well baby immunization appointments and other types of appointments as deemed necessary to be seen in person.

PLEASE **DO NOT** COME TO THE CLINIC WITHOUT CALLING FIRST!

Our in-clinic activity continues to be monitored at the front door, therefore, please do no visit the clinic in person unless you have been directed by a member of our team to do so. Should you require medical attention outside our normal on-call weekend hours call the Family Health Nurse (Telehealth Advisory Service) at 1-866-553-7205.

As we continue to respond to ongoing developments of COVID-19, patients who require care during our weekend clinic hours are invited to call the clinic at 613-692-2571 (option #2) to book a Telephone Appointment for same day.

Our phone lines will be answered on both Saturday and Sunday between 9:45 am until 12:45 noon. Depending on the demand these times may be sooner or later. Please be patient when calling as the team could be managing a high volume of calls.

HOW WILL PHONE/VIRTUAL APPOINTMENTS WORK?

If you call for an appointment our reception staff may indicate that a telephone/virtual visit is appropriate. If you have previously booked an office appointment you may receive a phone call to transition to a telephone visit. Your telephone number will be confirmed for the appointment time.

In order for your physician to facilitate care you must be located in Canada, otherwise, your OHIP coverage is invalid. The Ministry of Health recommends that Ontarians travelling abroad are always encouraged to purchase the appropriate travel insurance coverage in the event emergency health and doctor services are needed out of country. Many Ontarians already have travel health insurance through their workplace plans or credit cards.

More information can be found here -> https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/ohip/outofcountry/travellers.aspx

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE TELEPHONE/VIRTUAL VISIT?

• Be available for your scheduled appointment time which will normally be a window of a start and end time as we are experiencing a high volume of patient calls;
• Your appointment call may come in as a blocked number call. Please ensure the ringer is turned on your phone and it is turned to the on position;
• Have your full medication list prepared;
• Make a list of any required medication refills prior to the visit along with your pharmacy information;
• If you take blood pressure medication, have diabetes, or heart disease, please obtain home blood pressure readings prior to the visit.  We recommend the standardized home assessment be performed; For instructions, CLICK HERE
• If you are treated for a mood disorder (anxiety or depression), you may be asked to complete a questionnaire prior to your appointment and be ready to discuss the questions.

FOLLOWING THE VISIT?

• Any prescriptions renewals, labs, or imaging requisitions or referrals will be sent electronically by your medical provider.
• We will arrange appropriate reassessment visits following the telephone visit. This may be your routine future visitor or any required additional assessment.

HOW LONG WILL THIS PROCESS LAST?

The length of the infection precautions is unknown at this time. As the situation evolves we will keep you updated with any changes. Please visit our website for further updates and changes – www.manotickmedicalcentre.com

Should you need to drop off any documentation, records, forms, etc. it is requested you send by mail, Canada Post, or, you may opt to drop off in person Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 11:30 am or between 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm.

If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, use the self-assessment tool (no need to call) provided by Public Health to help determine if you need to seek further care. See below links. Please review CAREFULLY before considering calling Ottawa Public Health (OPH) or seeking healthcare.

Covid-19-Self-Assessment-Tool – Public Health 

Public Health Self Isolation Guidelines

SHOULD YOU BE APPROVED BY THE MMC TEAM TO COME TO THE CLINIC IN PERSON:

• You will be screened upon booking your appointment and when you arrive;
• You will be asked to sanitize your hands upon arrival;
• You will be asked to bring your own mask or wear a scarf, without, you will not be permitted to enter in for your appointment;
• You will be asked to stay 2 m (6ft) away from other people;
• Do not touch any surfaces.

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you have just washed your hands;
• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or into your arm, not your hand.  Also, make sure to wash your hands afterward;
• Avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres especially if you are sick;
• Stay informed by utilizing the below links;
• Get your flu shot if you haven’t already.

For more information about COVID-19 click on the links below:

• Ottawa Public Health: https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/novel-coronavirus.aspx 
• Public Health Agency of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
• Global Travel Advisory –  Travel Advisory

We thank you for your continued patience and cooperation during these challenging times.

Stay safe and be well.

Our Clinic

The Manotick Family Health Organization is committed to promoting, maintaining and enhancing the quality of life and health of our patients.