East Orlando Chamber of Commerce: Recharging and Re-opening

By DOROTHY HARDEE

We have gone from a statewide stay at home order to reopening the state ever so slowly. Restaurants, retail stores, hair salons and gyms are open to limited capacity while many of our beaches and state parks are packed. Healthcare facilities are putting protocols in place to ensure the safety of patients and staff. So, is your practice ready to reopen and what changes will you make adjusting to our new normal?

The AMA is recommending four signposts must be in place before orders are relaxed. These include minimal risk of community transmission based on sustained evidence of a downturn; a coordinated and well-supplied testing network; surveillance and contact tracing via our public health system and that hospitals have ample resources and workforce available. Expanding on the Phase 1 guidelines for non-emergent, non-COVID care by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the AMA has also developed a checklist and resources to support practice reopening.

The AMA supported state and federal guidelines recommending additional guidelines which included a pre-opening plan, incremental opening, safety measure for patients, as well as workplace safety for staff. Depending on the needs and health status of patients, a robust tele-triage program should be utilized, as well as preliminary screening protocol in advance of in-person visits. For those patients exhibiting symptoms requiring testing, appropriate health authorities should be advised, and non-patient visitors limited reducing spread. In an effort to help our local healthcare professionals prepare for reopening, the East Orlando Chamber (EOCC) will host a webinar on Patient Readiness with Jennifer Thompson (Integrity Marketing Group), June 3rd at 2PM.

While certain HIPAA requirements were relaxed during the COVID emergency, it is critical requirements are followed. A practice must also consider legal issues and obligations regarding paid sick leave. The East Orlando Chamber understands the need, providing our healthcare professionals and community businesses an opportunity to hear directly from Robert Vaden, Community Outreach & Resource Planning Specialist with the US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. He will explain how workers and employers will benefit from the protections and relief offered by the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act as part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. We invite you to join this free webinar open to all Friday, June 5th at 2:00 PM. Then to help engage with employees Corey Gehrold will discuss Employee Engagement for the Medical Practice, June 10th at noon.

Beyond required protocols to reopen, promoting your business will be essential. Keith Landry will offer tips on PR for Medical Practices, June 1st. Social media influencer, Shana Heinricy will present on Social Media Marketing, June 11th, followed by Danielle Ownings, with Marketing Your practice (What’s Working) June 12th. We are ending the month with our next Healthcare Council Collaborative Virtual Meet & Greet with The Bridge at Orlando, an opportunity to network with colleagues.

We continue “super charging” our efforts in June & beyond, with SB511 East Side, “Driving Traffic to Our Businesses” and offering a Member Monday Deals & Steals every Monday, highlighting the exceptional specials from our small businesses and our Ambassador Member Shout Out. Do you need more? June is jam packed with events to help your business.

The East Orlando Chamber is offering unique, relevant content to support small business and engage the community. Join the EOCC Movement. Want to know more? Give us a call at 407-277-5951 or email eocc@eocc.org.

Dorothy Hardee is the administrator of the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce.

CALENDAR OF JUNE EVENTS

PR for Medical Practices with Keith Landry

June 1, 2020| 12:00 PM

GoToMeeting

Probate 101: Why it’s Important Now

Justin Meyer, Esq.

June 2, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Online Event

Patient Readiness with Jennifer Thompson

June 3, 2020 | 12:00 PM

Online Event