COVID-19 Safety

Eugene Gastroenterology Consultants and Oregon Endoscopy Center ensure every precaution is taken to provide our patients with a safe environment of care. We screen all patients and staff for illness and follow strict infection prevention measures, such as hand hygiene and cleaning/disinfection procedures.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) dropped the healthcare mask mandate on April 3rd, 2023. Eugene Gastroenterology Consultants and Oregon Endoscopy Center are following the updated recommendations from the OHA and have dropped the masking requirements in our facilities. We encourage you to wear a mask in any setting, including health care settings, if you are sick, have a health condition that puts you at high risk for severe illness from a respiratory virus exposure (or you live with someone at high risk), or at any time wearing a mask makes you feel more comfortable.

If you have respiratory infection symptoms, please call 541-868-9500 to speak with someone to determine if your procedure needs rescheduled. You will be asked to wear a mask if you do arrive with respiratory infection symptoms and may be asked to reschedule your appointment, depending on the circumstances. If your ride has any symptoms of a respiratory illness, they will be asked to wait outside our facility.

COVID-19 Vaccination

We recommend all patients who do not have a contraindication to COVID-19 vaccination to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to protect themselves, their family members, and our community. Receiving chemotherapy, receiving immune suppressing medications and being pregnant are not contraindications to receiving COVID-19 vaccination, so individuals in these groups are encouraged to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 Boosters for Immune Suppressed Patients

The CDC, FDA, and Oregon Health Authority have all agreed that all individuals older than 12 years old, who are taking immune suppressing medications, and have received both doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination series, should receive a third shot to boost their immunity against COVID-19 (aka a “booster” shot). We, at Eugene GI, are in agreement and recommend contacting the institution where you received your vaccinations to get scheduled for a third dose.

Telemedicine

Our doctors are currently seeing many patients via telemedicine visits, offering a real-time, interactive audio/video session over a smartphone or computer. Our physicians can provide you with the same experience as an in-office visit without risking COVID-19 exposure to you or our staff.

You will receive appointment reminder messages that include paperwork to be completed. If it has been over 30 days since you were last seen, please complete the paperwork.

One to two days prior to your appointment, if paperwork is not completed, our medical assistant will call you to go over a few pre-visit questions, including health history, medications and allergies. It’s important that you take this call – if you don’t, the appointment could be canceled.

On the day of the telemedicine appointment, you will receive a text message reminder about your appointment time and another message 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment that includes the link to your visit.

If asked, you will need to grant access for the use of your device’s camera and microphone – say “Yes” or “Agree” when prompted.

This telemedicine option is our way of continuing to help our patients during the pandemic. Please contact us to schedule an appointment via telemedicine.