ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Reopeneyecare.com, the recently launched digital platform designed to help eyecare providers navigate the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on their businesses, today introduces a roll-out of new content in the “Road to Reopening” section, which details what eyecare providers need to know to begin seeing patients again while keeping both patients and staff safe. Organized into several tabs and accessible from a new dropdown menu for a seamless user experience, the new content includes updates on operating guidelines, best practices for communicating with patients and staffs, and the most up-to-date personal protective equipment (PPE) and dispensary protocols.
Since launching in late May, more than 7,000 people have visited ReopenEyecare.com. “The intent of ReopenEyecare.com is to guide eyecare providers through every phase of the recovery process. Knowing that this is a complex process that will unfold over many months and will require different tools and information at different times, we are committed to putting the right tools into place on the website at the right time so that eyecare providers can successfully navigate and negotiate their own personal business strategies,” said David Chute, Co-Founder and CEO of ThinOptics, and one of the members of the task force comprised of vision community leaders responsible for curating content for the website.
“With that in mind, we are pleased to introduce new, timely content in the Road to Reopening section. As states around the country ease restrictions and eyecare providers plan their initial reopening, we have updated this section with the tools and information they need at this time to be successful. As the situation evolves, we will introduce new content to the website in order to provide the most relevant, useful guidance.”
The updated content is accessible from a new dropdown menu under Roadmap to Reopening and is organized into the following sections:
Reopening
- 'Reopening’ breaks down the reopening process with a collection of guidelines, practical overviews, and checklists from leading authorities and trusted industry peers, including a guide to cleaning and disinfecting workplace facilities from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); a checklist for safe reopening of surgery practice created by American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society; and a grand reopening playbook created by Walman Optical.
Clinical – Dispensary Protocols
- Featuring comprehensive expert recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting, this section provides best practices for equipment, frame and facility sanitizing procedures.
PPE
- From reuse guidelines to import requirements, this section details what eyecare providers need to know as they analyze their PPE needs. Included here is an article highlighting guidance from the FDA clarifying the enforcement policy for face masks and respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a summary of the latest guidelines from the Infectious Disease Society of America on the use of masks, face shields and other personal protective equipment.
Managing Patient Flow During COVID-19
- This section provides tips on how to ensure patients and staff adhere to the latest social distancing requirements without compromising quality of care.
Patient Communications
- 'Patient Communications’ highlights the different marketing tactics that can be implemented to reassure patients of safety procedures and inform them of best practices for maintaining eye health during the pandemic, with a guide to creating patient-facing communication from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The section also includes a selection of downloadable marketing materials created by The Vision Council for practices to use that communicate plans for reopening, what safety procedures are in place and whether or not packaging has been sanitized, with templates for letters, social media posts, and packaging labels.
Staff Communications
- This section offers important news and information to share with staff.
Vendor Relations
This section, coming soon, will highlight best practices for communicating with vendors.
The interactive cashflow calculator is a particularly popular tool, used more than 500 times already by industry professionals and practice leaders. The recent release of practice reopening marketing materials has led to more than 100 downloads in just two days. Additionally, knowledge gained from the search feature and content rating tool is allowing the task force to focus future content on the areas that are proving to be most important to visitors.
Featuring content specially curated by a task force of vision community leaders and sponsored by The Vision Council, ReopenEyecare.com is intended to serve as a comprehensive resource to help eyecare providers navigate the complex journey from shutdown back to ‘new normal’ business conditions. The content features practical insights and a collection of best practices, protocols, tools and tips for reopening a practice and maintaining its health until conditions improve.
Reopeneyecare.com and the resources included on the website are available for use and distribution by anyone involved in the vision community. Users should register on the website to receive updates as new content is posted. An eyecare provider advisory panel is in development. The panel will advise on future content and site improvement.