In light of the current outbreak of COVID-19, our donation needs are currently focused on the below items. In keeping with social distancing best practices, please do not show up with donations unannounced! Contact Janine at jfleri@chcb.org to coordinate. Thank you for thinking of our staff and patients at this critical time.

General Clinical Needs

• Masks: N-95 as well as yellow/blue paper masks
• Reusable or disposable yellow long sleeve gowns
• Rubber gloves of all sizes
• Shoe covers aka “booties”
• Plastic face shields
• Plastic goggles
• Oral thermometers and probe covers
• “No touch” forehead thermometers
• Tympanic (ear) thermometers and probe covers
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Boxes of tissues
• Sanitizing wipes – bleach based (gold top containers) or isopropyl alcohol based (70% or higher, purple tops), and hand sanitizer wipes (blue tops)
• Medical grade disinfectant spray (i.e. Citrace)

Homeless Healthcare Program Needs

Our patients experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable, and camping is a safer option for social distancing than staying in a shelter. We would be incredibly grateful for donations of the following for this patient population:

• Camping gear – tents, tarps, sleeping bags, sunscreen, and especially bug spray/insect repellant! We go through twice as much bug spray as sunscreen.
• No-substance (meaning they cannot be used for tobacco or alcohol) gift cards for food stores. Hannaford is a convenient option for many of our patients.
• Working and unlocked tablets and smart phones to help patients experiencing homelessness access telehealth visits.

CHCB is working to expand our Telehealth capabilities, which will enable patients to facilitate online appointments with their medical, psychiatric and behavioral health providers when appropriate. Please view our instructions for downloading Zoom in order to access the program we use to conduct these appointments.

If you have a cough, fever, significant new fatigue or shortness of breath, please do not come to any CHCB location without reading this first! 

A state of emergency was declared for Vermont on Friday, March 13th, in response to the ongoing spread of novel coronavirus COVID-19. As noted on our homepage, we have made some access adjustments according to CDC guidelines. You can read more about the reasoning behind this here. In short, primary care practices like CHCB are asking that patients review the following information to guide them in making informed, responsible decisions concerning their health care.

The following are considered at-risk categories:

• Healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19
• Persons having had close contact with someone with COVID-19
• Travelers from affected countries with widespread sustained transmission (currently Europe, China, Iran and South Korea as of 3/14/2020, see current list here).
• Those whose age is greater than or equal to 60
• Those who have lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or are otherwise immunocompromised

If you have symptoms of cough, fever, significant new fatigue or shortness of breath and you fall into any of the above at-risk categories:

• If you feel that you absolutely need to be seen, please go to the Emergency Room.
• If you feel that you do not need to be seen at the Emergency Room, please call your specific CHCB location and speak to a nurse or provider.

 If you have symptoms of cough, fever, significant new fatigue or shortness of breath and you do not fall into any of the above at-risk categories:

• If you feel that you can manage at home, please remain at home and call us as needed.
• If you feel that you need to be seen, please call your specific CHCB location and speak to a nurse or provider.

If you have been told that you should self-quarantine because of travel or a potential exposure, you should not be seen in our office for any reason, even if you do not have any symptoms. A healthcare provider has to first confirm that you need testing and arrange for you to get testing. Note that there is no widely available screening test or treatment for coronavirus COVID-19, and we want to make our clinical decisions based on patients presenting with severe symptoms.

Practice social distancing as best you can, and continue to take action to help prevent the spread of respiratory illness by following the below guidelines. This will help “flatten the curve” as illustrated in the above graph. Please also help keep our staff safe if you are able to donate any of the items on our list of current needs.

 

 

 

 

 

We’d like to remind our patients that all CHCB locations are to be free of tobacco and nicotine products. This includes cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and all vaping products. This policy extends not only to the exterior of our buildings, but parking areas including the Riverside garage and waiting rooms as well. Thank you for your cooperation!

A clinical group for men and women who struggle with depression or anxiety.

We will focus on:
• Automatic Pilot/Automatic Thoughts
• Dealing with Barriers
• Mindfulness of Breath
• Staying Present
• Challenging Inaccurate Thoughts
• Self-care
• Relapse Prevention

When: Wednesdays 1:00-2:30 PM, for 8 weeks.
Where: The Community Health Centers of Burlington, 617 Riverside Avenue, Camel’s Hump Conference Room

For more information, contact Leah Oklan, LICSW at 802-540-8270 or ask to see a social worker when you are here for your medical visit.