On Sept 3, 2021, the Provincial Health Officer, Ministry of Health, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC jointly announced their position on the provision of in-person and virtual care. 

The following is an update for in-person visits:

• All practitioners are expected to resume routine in-person visits based on clinical needs and patient preferences.

For those who continue to offer a blend of in-person and virtual visits, please refer to the following practice standard and guidance for virtual care:

• Virtual Care practice standard from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC reflecting professional standards and ethical conduct when delivering care virtually.

• Guidance regarding the provision of virtual primary care services (including appropriate use, cultural safety, information and technology management, compensation) developed collaboratively through the joint collaborative committee integration council on virtual care will be available in the fall following consultation with partners.

The Ministry is actively reviewing the current temporary fee codes and considering the appropriate path forward for virtual care compensation for the continued benefit of patients.​​

Infection prevention and control measures

• The medical mask requirements for health-care settings, including community physician offices and outpatient clinics remain in effect.

• The recently updated COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Community-Based Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses and Midwives in Clinic Settings outlines appropriate infection prevention and control measures given what we now know about the current risk of community transmission.

• The guidance includes updated information on the appropriate use of personal protective equipment, physical distancing and capacity limits, and screening for COVID-19 symptoms.
  

​In-person visits​

Is it safe to see more patients in the office?

Yes. We are now at a different stage in the COVID-19 pandemic in B.C. COVID-19 is now a vaccine-preventable disease that we will be living with into the future.​

Is it safe to see immunocompromised patients in my clinic?

Yes. By wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and continuing with IPC measures at your clinic, it is safe to see patients who are immunocompromised in person.​

Should I still pre-screen​​ all patient visits by phone prior to an in-person visit?

Yes. If you and your office have been conducting pre-appointment screening with patients either by phone or online, please continue to do so in case a patient has similar symptoms. This would allow your office to make arrangements before their visit, to reduce the risk for yourself, staff and others.​

Should I be doing more routine visits in person (e.g., health screening) or saving in-person visits for more urgent issues?

Care should be provided to patients based on their clinical needs and care preferences, which includes ready access to in-person care.​

If I know a patient is not fully immunized, should I handle them differently than those who are fully immunized?

Regardless of whether a person is fully immunized against COVID-19, you should continue to follow local processes for COVID-19 screening and management of COVID-19 like symptoms.​

How should I handle patients who have been in regions where there are high cases counts of COVID-19?

You should provide in-person care as a patient’s clinical situation requires. If they are reporting symptoms of COVID-19 and have been in direct contact with a confirmed case, you should refer them for testing and follow the advice on BC Centre for Disease Control website.​

Will I still have access to personal protective equipment at no cost through the Health PPE portal?

Yes. The Health PPE Portal, which launched last fall, continues to be available for you to order PPE and critical supplies for your practices free of charge.