Dear Patients,

Medfem Fertility clinic will be resuming full fertility management from the 4th May.

However, we have unusual circumstances related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

OUR FOCUS IS ON MAXIMISING YOUR FERTILITY OUTCOME BUT MITIGATING YOUR RISK OF CONTRACTING OR INADVERTENTLY SPREADING THE CORONAVIRUS TO OTHER PEOPLE IN MEDFEM CLINIC.

In simple terms we want to make you “STAY SAFE” and at the same time we want to protect the safety of our staff and other patients.

As a Reproductive Medicine Clinic, we are highly sensitized to SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures) and Maximum Quality Control related to our Clinical processes, Operating procedures and IVF Laboratory work.

Our Guidelines to your clinical management during the Covid-19 are based on SASREG recommendation, taking into consideration world IVF recommendations and South African Covid-19 legislation.

AS YOU KNOW, BY NOW, THE RULES ARE SIMPLE BUT LIFE SAVING:

1. Social Distancing – in public spaces 1.5 meters from other people.

2. Hand Hygiene – preferable washing hands as many times as possible OR adequate hand sanitization. (DON’T forget to wash or sanitize the back of your hands).

3. YOU MUST – wear a cloth mask or another cover over your nose and mouth in public spaces.

4. Appropriate cough or sneezing etiquette.

5. DON’T GO OUT OF YOUR HOME IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS- Fever, Cough, Chills, Sore Throat, Shortness of Breath, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Myalgia (body pains), tiredness and/or loss smell and taste.

PHONE YOUR GP OR CLOSEST EMERGENCY ROOMS FOR ADVISE.

The purpose of our Covid-19 Protocol is to ensure that patients spend a minimum time in the Clinic.

All existing and new patients (both partners) must upload Healthdocs from your mobile app store and Register.

You must complete the Covid-19 application and carry out daily self- monitoring. Also keep a record of any new contacts that you are exposed to.

Please make sure you upload your Identity Document —- Go to My Documents – Document Storage — Patient information— Add —- Capture or Select File Image- upload.

Then go to My Documents – Sharing— Search for your doctor and share your documents.

New Patient Management Protocol

1. Please note that we will be doing a Skype or Zoom consultation with your First Visit Consultation. A transvaginal scan will be arranged by appointment. Your consultation will include the cost of the scan and must be paid by EFT prior to your skype consultation.

2. Go to the Welcome Pack on Medfem web site.

3. Please make sure that you have done all the tests, including a semen analysis. If possible, book the semen analysis with our IVF laboratory.

4. We are making us of the Healthdocs app to manage both our patients Covid-19 screening and other clinical processes. Download the HealthDocs patient app. from your mobile app store. Both partners need to download separate apps. This is a FREE application.

Fill in your details accurately – this application is a patient centric application. You will be able to share information with all your doctors, if you allow sharing to the doctor concerned. Effectively ONE cloud-based application for all your medical history, medication tracker, consultations and many more features.

The HealthDocs patient app. will be used to manage the following processes:

a. Self- Monitoring for Covid-19 symptoms for both partners.

b. Carrying out a High Risk assessment – related to having medical problems that will put you at a higher risk of Severe Covid-19 complications. If you have any High Risk factors please discuss with your doctors.

c. Maintaining your contact list daily, for easy access if you contract Covid-19.

d. Covid-19 updates from the health department.

e. You must please upload all your previous medical history, including previous blood tests and any other information 48 hours prior to your Skype/ Zoom appointment. Go to My Documents – Document Storage — capture each document with document — Capture or Select File Image.

f. Upload your Identification Document in the Patient Information folder.

g. BOOKING an appointment – please book your appointment on this app.

The appointment will be confirmed and will only take place if an EFT pre-payment has been made.

h. Your Fertility Doctor will give you the date that you need to come to the clinic for a scan during your video consultation.

PROTOCOL FOR CLINIC VISIT TO SEE A DOCTOR FOR SCAN

1. Make sure that you have an appointment booked.

2. Empty your bladder at home to avoid public toilets.

3. Use your HealthDocs app to screen for Covid-19 symptoms before you leave home. If you screen positive please PHONE MEDFEM and contact your GP.

4. When entering Medfem Clinic go to the bathroom and wash your hands correctly using soap and water.

5. You should come alone to routine monitoring visits thus limiting RISK for accompanying persons and partners. No children should be allowed to accompany the patients.

6. Your time at Medfem will be limited at much as possible.

7. Your prescription for medication will be filled and brought to you.

PROTOCOL FOR IVF ADMISSION TO INTERCARE MEDFEM HOSPITAL

1. Make sure that all your admission forms have been filled in and returned the day before admission.

2. Make sure that you have signed your all your IVF consent and Covid-19 Consent forms when starting your IVF cycle. They will be emailed to you and you can capture them in Healthdocs under My Documents — Medicolegal.

3. Make sure you have had a Covid-19 Nasal swab 3 days before your admission.

4. Use your HealthDocs app to screen for Covid-19 symptoms before you leave home. If you screen positive please inform Admitting doctor, Intercare Medfem Hospital and contact your GP or Closest Emergency Rooms.

5. Wear your cloth mask or other appropriate face cover.

6. Your temperature will be taken with an infra-red thermometer prior to you entering the building. You also need to open your Healthdocs app and show the person your Covid-19 monitoring page. Its important that we emphasise that this must be accurately filled in (governed by South African laws relating to the Covid-19 pandemic ).

7. When entering Medfem Clinic go to the bathroom and wash your hands correctly using soap and water or use a sanitizer to “wash” your hands thoroughly.

8. Make your way to admissions and you will be taken to the ward.

9. We look forward to giving you the care and attention to make your IVF experience as comfortable as possible.

PROTOCOL FOR ADMISSION TO INTERCARE MEDFEM HOSPITAL

1. Make sure that all your admission forms have been filled in and returned the day before admission, including a Covid-19 consent form.

2. Make sure you had a Covid-19 Nasal swab 3 days before your admission.

3. Use your HealthDocs app to screen for Covid-19 symptoms before you leave home. If you screen positive please inform your Admitting doctor, Intercare Medfem Hospital and contact your GP or Closest Emergency Rooms.

4. Wear your cloth mask or other appropriate face cover.

5. Your temperature will be taken with an infra-red thermometer prior to you entering the building. You also need to open your Healthdocs app and show the person your Covid-19 monitoring page. ITS important that we emphasise that this must be accurately filled in (governed by South African laws relating to the Covid-19 pandemic ).

6. When entering Medfem Clinic go to the bathroom and wash your hands correctly using soap and water or use a sanitizer to “wash” your hands thoroughly.

7. Make your way to admissions and you will be taken to the ward.

8. We look forward to giving you the care and attention to make your operation as comfortable as possible.