Welcome to Manotick Medical Centre

COVID-19 VACCINE UPDATE – April 7, 2021

Primary care (which includes the Manotick Medical, our clinic) is NOT administering COVID-19 vaccinations at this time. Vaccines are being organized and administered through public health in a phased approach and just recently select pharmacies are also offering the vaccine.

We are encouraging eligible patients to get immunized with an available COVID-19 vaccine, when possible. Which COVID-19 vaccine is better? (spoiler, they’re all good) – Dr. Samir Gupta explains how the four COVID-19 vaccines now approved in Canada work and why efficacy rates aren’t the most important number to look at.  Refer to the short video linked here -> CBC NEWS – COVID VACCINES & EFFICACY VIDEO LINK HERE

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 

Ottawa Public Health has also set up an Emergency Response Phone Line to answer questions regarding COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine. Please call 613-580-6744 between the hours of 7:30 am to 6:30 pm Monday to Friday or on weekends from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm to speak to a Public Health Nurse.

COVID-19 VACCINE: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS  

HOW ARE VACCINES BEING ADMINISTERED?
The vaccines are being administered by public health in a phased approach and most recently select pharmacies are also offering vaccines.

IF WE GET THE VACCINE, HOW WILL PATIENTS BE NOTIFIED?
We will be contacting eligible patients by email with priority given to individuals at high risk. We will continue to update patients via the website as information becomes available.

CAN PATIENTS BE ADDED TO A WAIT LIST?
As we are not administering the COVID-19 vaccine at this time, we are not managing a wait list. Eligible patients will be contacted as more information becomes available.

IS ANTIBODY TESTING REQUIRED BEFORE RECEIVING THE VACCINE?
Antibody testing is not required before receiving the vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for eligible individuals regardless of the results of their antibody test.

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 

** If you have had your COVID-19 Vaccine please advise a member of our team so that we may update your patient chart. Thank you.

OTHER COVID-19 Vaccine Links:   

Ontario Doctors Answer COVID-19 Vaccine Questions – POSTED BY OMA

Ontario Family Physicians – COVID VACCINE PATIENT Q&As

New England Journal – COVID Frequently Asked Questions

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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. As a result, in person clinic visits continue to be scheduled as a phone/virtual appointment to help minimize potential spread of infection.

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 doors continue to remain locked during the evenings and over the weekend, therefore, please do no visit the clinic in person unless you have been directed by the physician 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.

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, forward to the clinic by fax @ 613-692-0271, 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, on the day of your appointment/or day prior 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.