COVID-19 / Illness Policies

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Current practice guidelines regarding Covid-19 

as well as other communicable diseases.

Updated 3/17/23

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I offer in-person and telehealth lactation consults to meet the needs of varying families. I am so excited to be able to offer hands-on support for those wanting and needing it (and be able to see cute babies and new parents in real life! I certainly missed that during the early days of the pandemic!). I also am very comfortable providing lactation support virtually for those families which feel this is most comfortable.

 

In-person prenatal classes are being held as well!  These are taking place inside Rooted Counseling in Old Town Lansing. Masks are now optional at Rooted Counseling. Rest assured, I am closely following recommendations from the CDC, the State of Michigan, state and local health departments, and my governing bodies as a nurse, lactation consultant and Lamaze educator. For private classes, I am happy to wear a mask upon request at any time. This policy is subject to change without notice.

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Virtual Prenatal Classes are still an option for those wanting this format. This would be a private class. 

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For In-Person Lactation Consultations (Home Visits):

In preparation for your appointment, there are some COVID-19 precautions that I would like you to be aware of and some requests that I have prior to entering your home. 

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COVID-19 Precautions

• Clients must fill out a Health/COVID-19 screening form prior to the consultation. This is available via the Portal which is explained in more detail below.

• Due to updated guidance from the Ingham County Health Department, masks are optional for in-home lactation consultations. 

• As soon as I arrive at your home, I will ask for a place to wash my hands with soap and water. 

  • Please have liquid soap (dish soap is fine) and paper towels available in your kitchen and/or bathroom.

  • I will be washing my hands as often as necessary during the consult, and also bring hand sanitizer that is > 60% alcohol as recommended by the CDC. This includes but is not limited to before and after touching: you or your baby, my computer, mouse, pen, supplies in my consult bag, other surfaces in your home, etc.

• I bring gloves which I always wear when performing an oral assessment on your baby, but will also be happy to wear anytime I am touching you or your baby upon request.

• I will need a clean swaddle blanket or burp cloth to put on my scale prior to weighing your baby.

• I will use a disinfectant cleaner to clean my scale after use and before I put it away. 

• Prior to leaving and storing my supplies, I will wipe down my computer, mouse, pen, and any other used items prior to storing them in my bags. 

• I have disinfectant spray available in my vehicle for disinfecting the outside of my consult bags.

 

Illness / Cancellation Policy for In-Person Lactation Home Visits

• Please let me know in a timely manner if you or anyone in your family is symptomatic for any illness, including typical symptoms of a "common cold". 

• If you or anyone in your home has symptoms of illness, please disclose them to me at your earliest convenience so we can create a plan to keep us all safe and illness-free. No cancellation fee will be charged if you communicate illness in a timely manner and we choose to cancel or reschedule. A virtual visit may also be an option for you depending on you and your baby's needs and whether you are needing hands-on assessment or assistance. 

• If you or anyone in your home is sick with the flu, fever, cough, vomiting, or diarrhea when I arrive at your home, has had known contact or exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual, has been tested for Influenza A/B, RSV or COVID-19 recently with pending or positive results and you have not disclosed this prior to the visit, I will need to leave, the visit will be canceled, and you will be charged a $75 fee. 

  • For Covid-19:

    • If any of the above apply, you will need to reschedule your visit for at least 10 days from the exposure, and/or 10 days from your onset of symptoms or 10 days from your positive test result if asymptomatic and after symptoms have improved. 

  • For Gastroenteritis (Stomach Bug)

    • All people in your home must be free of vomiting and diarrhea for at least 24 hours prior to our visit.

  • For other respiratory illness

    • All people in your home must be fever-free for a minimum of 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen

    • If you as the parent have active respiratory symptoms, the visit may need to be rescheduled based on severity.

    • If someone in the home has an active cough, they will be asked to stay in a separate room from us during the visit

    • Masks may be required during the visit.

 

For In-Person Lactation Consultations (Clinic Visits):

In preparation for your appointment, there are some precautions that I would like you to be aware of and some requests that my clinic spaces (CCMC and Rooted) and I have prior to your appointment. 

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Masking Guidelines

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Clinton County Medical Center - St. Johns

• I will be wearing a mask for the entire consultation as CCMC is a group healthcare facility and I am a licensed nurse in the State of Michigan. Masks are still required in group healthcare settings. 

• As such, you as the client and any adult or children over age of 2 who accompany you to your visit are required to wear a mask for the entire duration of your visit and when in the clinic space including the waiting room and restroom. Masks must be worn over the nose and mouth.

Rooted Counseling - Old Town Lansing

• Masks are now optional 

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Precautions

• Clients must fill out a Health/COVID-19 screening form prior to the consultation. This is available via the Portal which is explained in more detail below.

• I will wash my hands with soap and water prior to the start of our consultation. ​

• I will be sanitizing my or washing my hands as often as necessary during the consult. This includes but is not limited to before and after touching: you or your baby, my computer, mouse, pen, supplies in my office, other surfaces in my office, etc.

• I have disposable gloves which I always wear when performing an oral assessment on your baby, but will also be happy to wear anytime I am touching you or your baby upon request.

• I will use a disinfectant cleaner to clean my scale after each use. 

• After your visit is concluded and between each client, I will disinfect all wipeable surfaces including my scale, door handles, computer, mouse, pen, and any other touched or used items. Pillowcases are changed after each client. 

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Illness / Cancellation Policy for In-Person Clinic Lactation Visits

• If you or anyone in your home has symptoms of illness, please disclose them to me at your earliest convenience so we can create a plan to keep us all safe and illness-free. No cancellation fee will be charged if you communicate illness in a timely manner and we choose to cancel or reschedule. A virtual visit may also be an option for you depending on you and your baby's needs and whether you are needing hands-on assessment or assistance. 

• If you or anyone in your home is sick with the flu, fever, cough, vomiting, or diarrhea when I arrive at your home, has had known contact or exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual, has been tested for Influenza A/B, RSV or COVID-19 recently with pending or positive results and you have not disclosed this prior to the visit, I will need to leave, the visit will be canceled, and you will be charged a $75 fee. 

  • For Covid-19:

    • If any of the above apply, you will need to reschedule your visit for at least 10 days from the exposure, and/or 10 days from your onset of symptoms or 10 days from your positive test result if asymptomatic and after symptoms have improved. 

  • For Gastroenteritis (Stomach Bug)

    • All people in your home must be free of vomiting and diarrhea for at least 24 hours prior to our visit.

  • For other respiratory illness

    • All people in your home must be fever-free for a minimum of 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen

    • If you as the parent have active respiratory symptoms, the visit may need to be rescheduled based on severity.

    • If someone in the home has an active cough, they are asked not to accompany you on your visit. 

    • Masks may be required during the visit.

 

​​​In the Event of My Own Illness / Exposure

In the case of my own illness, illness in one of my family members that is related to a stomach virus, fever, or covid, any personal known exposure to a COVID positive or otherwise ill individual, or an unforeseen family emergency, I will communicate with you in a timely manner and you will have the option of a virtual visit if appropriate, or will refer you to another IBCLC, and no cancellation fee will be charged to you.

 

Non-Illness Related Cancellation Policy

In-Person Lactation Visit cancellations not related to illness and Virtual Lactation Visit cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. If you need to reschedule your appointment for any reason, please contact me as soon as possible. Cancellations less than 24 hours in advance that are not rescheduled are subject to a $25 cancellation fee. Fee will be charged to the card on file or via electronic invoice if no card on file.

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For Virtual Telehealth Lactation Consultations:

Thankfully, I have an integrated Telehealth platform within my charting systems and Client Portal. I have been providing virtual consults for the last 3 years and feel confident I can help you address many common concerns and issues in this manner. Yes, there are limitations, but I will do my utmost to walk you through the hands on steps I would take were I in your home with you. 

 

For In-Person Prenatal Classes:

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COVID-19 Precautions

• All class participants should screen themselves for signs of illness prior to any class. If they or their support person have signs of respiratory or gastrointestinal illness or have had a known Covid exposure, pending Covid test, or positive Influenza A or Influenza B test, they should not attend class. See illness policy below.

• Per Ingham County Health Department, masks are optional in our group class space as this is an educational class and not a healthcare service.

• Class participants will be spaced as far apart as able given the class space and number of couples in attendance to maintain a level of physical distancing.

• After every class, all wipeable class tools (birth balls, peanut balls, massage tools, yoga mats, blocks, dolls, pumps, etc.) are wiped with a disinfectant cleanser. Any laundry safe items such as pillowcases are laundered. Disinfectant spray for soft surfaces is available as needed

• Hard surfaces and high touch areas (tables, coffee pot, tea pot, etc) are wiped and disinfected prior to and after class

• Please ensure the pillows you bring to class have a clean pillow case on them. I also have pillows for you to use and the cases are laundered after every class and the pillow insert is wiped with disinfectant.

• Hand sanitizer is available for your use or you may bring your own

Illness / Cancellation Policy for Classes

• Please let me know in a timely manner if you, your partner/coach, or anyone else in your immediate household is symptomatic for any illness, including typical symptoms of a "common cold". 

• If anyone has symptoms of illness, please disclose them to me at your earliest convenience so we can create a plan to keep us all safe and illness-free. No cancellation fee will be charged if you communicate illness in a timely manner and we choose to cancel or reschedule to a different class. If you were registered for a private class, a virtual class may also be an option for you. If the bulk of you class is conducted virtually, we can schedule a short in-person session to review the hands-on aspects once all parties are well. If you are missing one week of a 5 week Lamaze Series, that weeks information and activities will be provided to you to complete at home. 

• If you are sick with the flu, fever, cough, vomiting, or diarrhea, has had known contact or exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual, and you have not disclosed this prior to class, you will be kindly asked to leave the class and you will be charged half of the class fee. 

• In the case of my own illness, illness in one of my family members that is related to a stomach virus, fever, or covid, any personal known exposure to a COVID positive or otherwise ill individual, or an unforeseen family emergency, I will communicate with you in a timely manner and you will have the option of rescheduling your class at a later date, I will convert that week’s class to a virtual format or the entire class may be moved to a virtual class if appropriate, or will refer you to another community option for class, and no cancellation fee will be charged to you. 

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If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.