Screening - Regional Fertility

COVID-19 Screening

Please note that all patients will be screened in accordance with Alberta Health Services (AHS) guidelines and must complete the COVID-19 Point of Care Patient Risk Assessment form prior to entering the clinic. If you screen positive, Regional Fertility Program will work with you to find acceptable alternate care strategies and mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19 to others. This may include:

1. converting to a virtual appointment,
2. rescheduling your appointment to a different day, or
3. rescheduling your appointment to a later time to allow for coordination of PPE needs and reduce contact and transmission to other at-risk or vulnerable patients in the clinic.

If you are feeling unwell or experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or influenza-like illness symptoms, please call 403-284-5444 to inform us and discuss risk mitigation strategies.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

The COVID-19 outbreak has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Symptoms of this infection can include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, sore throat, runny nose, and/or a sudden change in a person’s ability to taste or smell. Such symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to the virus. The main source of transmission is through respiratory droplets from individuals who are infected with the virus (such as through coughing or sneezing) or through touching items that are contaminated with the virus and subsequently touching your face. However, it has also been shown that the virus can be spread to others from someone who is infected but not showing any symptoms of the illness.

What is COVID-19?

Mask Policy

All staff providing direct patient care will be continuously masked. Guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and the City of Calgary is supportive of masking in public settings.

*At this time Regional Fertility Program continues to request that patients entering our facility maintain continuous masking in order to help protect each other and our vulnerable patient populations.

Patients wearing a mask that does not adequately cover their nose and mouth, or one that has an exhalational valve, will be asked to change to a non-medical disposable mask provided at no charge by RFP.

Visitor Policy

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage patients to attend ultrasound monitoring and insemination (IUI) appointments alone due to space limitations and to reduce unnecessary exposure. However, no more than a single support person (partner or other) will routinely be permitted. When required, an interpreter will also be permitted.

We are supportive of other means for partners or support persons to be involved; for instance by telephone call or FaceTime® during these appointments. However, continuous video recording will not be permitted. Strictly, no other family members or children will be allowed.

Patients who are discharged after the egg retrieval procedure are required to be accompanied by a responsible adult following conscious sedation.

All individuals attending RFP will be required to complete a COVID-19 screening questionnaire and be requested to wear a face mask and have temperatures taken by a no-contact temporal thermometer. Individuals not complying with the above requirement may face delays to their care as alternatives to in person care will be arranged including virtual appointments.

All international travellers are required to abide by the Government of Canada’s entry and quarantine requirements. Anyone who has been advised to quarantine may not come to Regional Fertility Program during their period of quarantine.

Returns, Recycling and Donations

In response to the evolving health risk posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and in the interest of staff and patient safety, we are taking temporary measures to reduce the likelihood of spreading COVID-19 between consumers and pharmacists/clinic staff as recommended by Health Canada. With COVID-19 restrictions in mind, the RFP Pharmacy in consultation with the Alberta College of Pharmacists has updated their Disposal Program regarding the disposal of sharps container, used or unused – needles, syringes, alcohol swabs, Gonal F pens or any vial/containers of medication. Check our Pharmacy webpage for details. In addition we will not be accepting donations of medications or other medical/drug supplies at this time. We will advise when these measures have been lifted and patients can bring back their “returns” at the time.
Please keep all sharps containers and supplies in a secure place away from children until they can be properly disposed.

What are my responsibilities as a patient? What can I do to maximize success during the COVID-19 pandemic?

We advise all our patients to be extra vigilant in avoiding contracting COVID-19, especially during treatment and in pregnancy. This will help to reduce the risk of cycle cancellation and to maximize your health and safety.

Patients undergoing active treatment should try to avoid going out in public to avoid unnecessary exposure to COVID-19, including multiple trips to the grocery store, public gatherings and group recreational activities.

Although enhanced measures have been taken to protect your safety, there is no ability to safeguard against the risk of exposure to COVID-19 at the clinic or in public places during your treatment.

All individuals must adhere to Public Health guidelines from Alberta Health Services and the Government of Alberta. All symptoms suggestive of an influenza-like illness or COVID-19, and any possible risk of exposure to COVID-19 will have to be reported to RFP while receiving treatment at our medical facility.