POLICIES

Respectful Conduct & Doctor-Patient Relationship Policy Our front desk team is carefully selected and trained to support and assist patients with care and professionalism. We understand that visiting a medical office can be stressful, and we strive to ensure your experience is as pleasant and comfortable as possible. In return, we ask that all interactions with our staff remain respectful. We have a zero-tolerance policy for any form of abuse—verbal, physical, or otherwise. Any such behavior may result in dismissal from the practice. To provide you with the highest standard of care, a mutually respectful and cooperative doctor-patient relationship is essential. If, for any reason, this relationship becomes compromised, it may be in the best interest of both parties to end it. Should this occur, we will continue to provide emergency medical care for up to one month, or until you secure a new family physician—whichever comes first.

Some medications, such as opioids (“narcotics”) require special prescribing rules. This is for your safety as they help you to minimize the risks of overuse and side effects and ensure proper use. We do not prescribe controlled substances to patients who are not known to our clinic. We do not provide refills at times earlier that those decided at the last visit. As per provincial rules, we ask that all patients receiving these medications receive prescriptions from one doctor and fill those prescriptions at one pharmacy. Any irregularities may lead to the end of the prescription.

We will not prescribe more than 5 doses per week. This ensures patients do not to rely on pills every single night to sleep. It allows their bodies to remember how to fall asleep naturally. Even someone who works 5 days per week should not require sleeping medications during weekends. If you are retired or not employed, there should be even less need for sleep medications because you do not have to worry about being tired for work the next day! The risks and side effects of of sleeping bills outweigh he benefits! There are better options than pills to improve sleep.

Effective January 1st , 2020, there will be a $25 fee for prescriptions without a visit. Please know that the primary purpose is not to collect revenue from patient but rather to decrease the tremendous administrative burden of avoidable prescription requests. Alternatively, patients will always be offered a “Prescription Renewal Visit” prior to medications coming due, noting standard office policy of at least 2 business days for prescription renewals. Otherwise, the fee will be waived.

We are proud to provide our patients with some of the highest quality and most accessible care in the province. We respect our patients’ time and therefore strive to run on time. However, when patients are late for appointments, it disrupts the flow of the entire office. This causes other visits to be rushed and run behind, which is not fair nor safe to other patients. Therefore, we have developed the following policy: If a patient arrives less than 10 minutes late for an appointment: The patient will still see be seen. However, the visit will be cut short. For example, if the patient expected to discuss a few different issues in that one visit, there may only be time to discuss one issue. If a patient arrives 10 or more minutes late for an appointment: Depending on the situation, the patient may not be seen and may have to reschedule the visit. A fee for a Missed Appointment may apply.

Most test results will arrive to our office 10 days after being performed. Investigations will arrive directly to the physician who ordered them. Other physicians may not be immediately aware of a patient's test results. Patients are requested to book a follow-up appointment with the same physician who ordered their tests to be advised of the results and management. Please schedule a follow-up appointment 10 to 14 days after the test is performed to review the results. While we attempt to contact all individuals with abnormal or concerning results, do not assume that no call is good news. Administrative staff do not have access to your file and therefore, will be unable to provide you with the results of your tests.

Referrals to specialists are not made simply upon patient request. A physician is required to assess the patient's medical situation and based on the findings, make an appropriate medical decision. Your physician may recommend additional tests before referring you to a specialist. Referrals to specialists will be based on if it is medically necessary in the determination of the referring physician. When referred to a specialist allow up to 1 month from referral date to receive notice of appointment. If you have not heard back from the specialist by the 1 month mark please contact our office to follow up on this.

Appointment Cancellation & No-Show Policy We require a minimum of 24 hours' notice for all appointment cancellations. First No-Show: A written warning will be issued. Second No-Show: A $50 fee will be charged. This must be paid before booking any future appointments. Third No-Show: May result in dismissal from the practice. Please note: If you arrive more than 10 minutes late for your appointment, you will be asked to reschedule.