COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions for Patients

Last updated Feb. 12, 2021:  Learn how UCSF is making surgery safe during COVID-19. Learn more.

Under San Francisco's current health order, all medical services, including routine and preventive care, are considered essential. Please contact us to make a telehealth visit  or an in-person visit. For in-person appointments, all clinical staff – doctors, physician assistants, clinical personnel -- will be wearing both face masks as well as eye shields or face shields for our patients' safety.

Frequently Asked Questions – In-person patient visits

Providing you safety is our primary priority. Here is what to expect during our in-person visit to one of our clinics.

Are offices open with regular business hours?

Yes. The majority of the clinics of the UCSF Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery in San Francisco, the East Bay (Oakland, Berkeley, Walnut Creek), Marin (Greenbrae, Mill Valley) and San Mateo are open for both telehealth or in-person appointments. Our Orthotics and Prosthetics clinics at both Parnassus and Mission Bay for adult and pediatric services are also open.

Does UCSF have orthopaedic urgent care after-hours?

Yes. Currently, we are offering evening hours for Pediatric Orthopaedic appointments, Monday and Friday, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

To make an appointment, please call 415-353-2808.

Are you performing injections?

Yes.  We are performing injections to manage pain for our orthopaedic patients at the Parnassus campus, Mt. Zion campus and at the Orthopaedic Institute at Mission Bay in San Francisco. To make an appointment, please call 415-353-2808.

Can I bring someone with me to my outpatient appointment?

Yes.  However, there are limitations. 

For adults:  Unless a patient has special needs, such as mobility issues, visitors are not currently permitted to accompany adult patients to their appointment. This policy is to ensure the safety of everyone in our waiting room areas.  We will work with you to ensure you are in communication – before and after your in-person appointment.

For pediatric patients 17 years of age or younger: a parent/guardian may have one designated visitor.

To keep all patients and visitors safe, we have re-configured our waiting areas to have everyone be physically distanced, and require face masks, which we will provide, for all persons in the waiting area.  Before a patient and/or visitor enters a waiting area, they will be screened and given a mask.

During the appointment, we encourage patients to keep in contact with their loved ones through mobile phone and/or video (i.e. text, FaceTime).  Our staff will assist patients if needed.

For visitors who are not required to accompany a patient, we will remind them to wait in the car in the parking area; the lobby will coordinate having the patient text or call when the appointment is completed.

Are patients screened for COVID-19 symptoms before an in-person office visit?

Yes. Patients are screened in the lobby upon arrival. Patients will be asked a questionnaire of COVID-19 symptoms. A COVID-19 test is not required, unless a screening shows any issues.

Are staff members – including doctors, physician assistants, nurses and clinic personnel -- screened for COVID-19 symptoms before starting work? 

Yes. All staff are screened daily for COVID-19 symptoms before starting work.

Will all staff be wearing protective equipment (PPE) at my appointment? 

Yes. All clinical staff – doctors, physician assistants, clinical personnel -- will be wearing face masks as well as eye shields or face shields. Other front-office staff, who will check you in for your appointment, will be wearing face masks, and our check-in desks have protective shields at our check in stations.

Will you provide me with any protective gear?

Yes.  We will provide you and/or your visitor with a complimentary surgical mask when you arrive. We will also ask you to use our hand hygiene stations when you arrive.

Will I be safe in the waiting room? 

Yes. To minimize your time in the waiting area, we will:

• Ask you to complete your forms electronically before your visit, or assist you over the phone to complete them with one of our staff members.
• Enforce physical distancing – both in our waiting area and in our elevators to ensure your safety.
• Contact you upon your arrival for your appointment with a text or phone call that we are ready for you to enter the clinic.

Can you explain how the clinic is cleaned?

Even before COVID-19, we have continually cleaned our clinic areas, waiting areas, restrooms and elevators with the highest, hospital-grade standards, which include:

Exam rooms: wiping down all tables, surfaces, counters, controls, equipment and monitors with disinfection  wipes after every patient visit; disposing of all trash, regulated medical waste and paper products in safe dispensers after every patient visit; and removing any unnecessary objects or medical equipment  after every patient visit.

Waiting Room: we have reconfigured our waiting areas for physical distancing and we continually clean furniture with approved disinfectant; we also provide hygiene stations (hand sanitizers, complimentary surgical masks, throughout the waiting area).