Narins Eating Disorder Center
May 2020 COVID-19 Update
As New York State moves toward a slow (and hopefully successful) re-opening, we would like to update you as to the precautions we are taking to protect our patients and staff members. Our policy was written with collaboration between our Medical Director, Medical Consultant, and Advisory Board Member who is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. On March 16, 2020, we implemented the following policy:
COVID-19 Response
Effective 3/16/2020
May 2020 COVID-19 Update
As New York State moves toward a slow (and hopefully successful) re-opening, we would like to update you as to the precautions we are taking to protect our patients and staff members. Our policy was written with collaboration between our Medical Director, Medical Consultant, and Advisory Board Member who is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. On March 16, 2020, we implemented the following policy:
COVID-19 Response
Effective 3/16/2020
- Support Groups will be suspended until further notice.
- Family sessions will be conducted by phone instead of having family members come into Narins EDC. Staff will remain accessible by phone and email throughout the program day.
- All patients will be asked to sign an agreement that they will go straight home after program and remain at home until returning to program the next day. Any violation of this will result in discharge from the program.
- All staff and patients will be instructed to wash their hands immediately upon entering the facility.
- During daily weights/ check-ins, patient temperatures will be taken. Any elevated temperature or other signs of illness will result in the patient being sent home from program.
- Any patients or staff members who are sick should stay home and recuperate.
- No visitors will be allowed until further notice with the exception of food deliveries to the front lobby.
We have continued to update our procedures as new information has emerged, and we are meeting guidelines of the NYS Office of Mental Health as well as the Department of Health.
Families to date have been extremely respectful of these policies, and I expect that this will continue. As always, feel free to reach out to us with questions or concerns.
Tracy Welchoff, Ph.D.
Owner/ Executive Director
Barbra Lesh, M.D.
Medical Director
Dalinda Condino, M.D.
Medical Consultant
Heidi N. Suffoletto, M.D.
Community Advisory Board Member
- Hand sanitizer is available in every room.
- Patients are seated 6 feet apart in the group room and kitchen. Given that we are a small program, distancing has not been an issue. Thankfully, we have large rooms that can accommodate this.
- We are following food safety protocols as advised by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Patients bring their own blankets (if they choose) and must take them home to be washed weekly. They may bring in their own markers, journal, stress balls, etc to avoid sharing these items.
- We have doubled our cleaning service and sanitize high traffic spots daily.
- Masks are available for all patients and staff in case proper social distancing cannot be maintained, if someone starts to feel ill while already in program, or should one simply feel more comfortable wearing one.
- Any patient or staff who starts to feel ill during the program day will be immediately given a mask and isolated until arrangements can be made to either go home or seek medical attention.
Families to date have been extremely respectful of these policies, and I expect that this will continue. As always, feel free to reach out to us with questions or concerns.
Tracy Welchoff, Ph.D.
Owner/ Executive Director
Barbra Lesh, M.D.
Medical Director
Dalinda Condino, M.D.
Medical Consultant
Heidi N. Suffoletto, M.D.
Community Advisory Board Member
