Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Due to the evolving nature of COVID-19, this page will be updated as new information becomes available. 

Here at The Portland Clinic, we are actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation and we are working hard to keep our patients, staff and providers safe. We understand that you may have questions or concerns surrounding the virus. Here’s what you need to know.

Your health is important to us

Following the guidelines outlined by the governor of Oregon and by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we have resumed all surgical procedures and are open for in-person appointments. Our priority will always be the health and safety of our patients, as well as our staff and providers.

At each of our locations, we continue to take extra precautions and follow state and federal protocols to keep you as safe as possible in our clinics including:

• Screening anyone entering our clinics which includes checking of temperature and symptoms for patients, visitors, vendors, staff and providers daily
• Updating the screening protocols in our electronic health records to flag patients with possible COVID-19
• Requiring a face mask that covers the nose and mouth for all who enter our facilities, per the CDC guidelines
  • If you do not have a face mask upon arrival at the clinic, one will be provided
• Implementing physical distancing measures in our waiting areas, hallways and patient care areas
  • You may be asked to wait in your vehicle, if available, for an in-person appointment
• Limiting the number of people who accompany a patient to an appointment, except in specific cases
• Maintaining an adequate inventory of personal protective equipment (PPE) for our providers and staff
• Conducting extra cleaning and isolation protocols

Getting annual physicals, screenings such as mammograms and colonoscopies, and preventive check-ups are essential for your overall well-being. We are concerned that you may be going without important medical care for acute, chronic or preventable conditions, illnesses or injuries, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage you to contact your provider to schedule an appointment, whether it be in-person or through a video or phone visit.

Keeping you safe is essential but keeping the rest of you healthy is too. We are here for you and will help ensure you get the care you need.

If you have symptoms

• For mild cold- or flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever, we encourage you to stay at home while you recover.
• For established patients of The Portland Clinic: If your symptoms worsen, please call 503-221-0161 ext. 6801 to be triaged by a nurse. Please call to talk to one of our triage nurses BEFORE coming into a clinic. 
• If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, please dial 9-1-1.

People with the following symptoms may have COVID-19, as reported by the CDC.

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

It is important to seek immediate medical care if experiencing the following symptoms:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Bluish lips or face

NOTE: The lists above do not include all possible symptoms of COVID-19. 

Practice prevention

The same practices that stop the spread of the common cold and flu are recommended for COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay at home if you are sick, and avoid sending children to day care if they are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze; then throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces frequently touched by you and others (e.g., door handles, phones, keyboards, counters, etc.)
• Stay home, save lives: follow state directives to stay at home as much as possible. Go out only for essentials, and stay at least 6 feet from others if you go out.

Video and telephone visits

We now offer telemedicine options that allow you visit your provider at The Portland Clinic by video and/or phone for many health issues, from the convenience of your own home. Rest assured that our telemedicine capabilities are safe and secure. We use a HIPAA-compliant version of Zoom – video visits with us are not recorded, and all video/audio is encrypted. Our goal, always, is to keep both you and your information safe. Most insurances cover telemedicine visits the same as a regular office visit.

To schedule an appointment, please call 503-223-3113.

Lab scheduling

In order to maintain safe physical distancing, all lab visits need to be scheduled in advance. To schedule a lab appointment, please call 503-223-3113.

Visitor/guest limitations

To help keep our patients, providers and staff healthy and safe, The Portland Clinic is limiting the number of people who accompany a patient at all of our clinic locations.

Patients needing assistance and pediatric patients may be accompanied by one family member or caregiver during their appointment. The person joining a patient must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Be in good health (no cold- or flu-like symptoms)
• Wear a mask while they are in the clinic 

Sign up for MyChart

Connect with your health care team at The Portland Clinic from the comfort of your home.

MyChart is a free, secure, online health management tool that connects patients to their health team at The Portland Clinic. Patients can communicate with their provider, access test results, view chart notes, pay their bill online, and much more.

Sign up for MyChart today.

Getting tested

The Portland Clinic is partnering with local community health partners to conduct COVID-19 testing for established patients who are symptomatic or who have been identified for testing by their primary care provider.

In addition, a COVID-19 test will be part of the pre-surgery process for all patients scheduled for a procedure at our surgery centers, as a precaution.

For established patients of The Portland Clinic: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and/or have developed symptoms including a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, please call 503-221-0161 ext. 6801 to talk with one of our triage nurses.

For more information, including risk factors and when to seek immediate medical attention, please visit the CDC website.

Travel recommendations

For updated travel information related to COVID-19, please visit the CDC’s travel web page.

Helpful resources

For general information and updated status of COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and/or the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

• What you need to know about the 2019 Coronavirus (CDC-19) (pdf)
• Fight Germs. Wash Your Hands! English  Spanish
• What to do if you are sick with COVID-19 English  Spanish  Simplified Chinese
• Helping children cope with changes resulting from COVID-19 (web page)
• Working and learning from home during the COVID-19 outbreak English  Spanish