Coronavirus/COVID-19 Updates
ACRM is actively monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and we
continue to prioritize the safety, health and well-being of our patients
and staff. ACRM already has policies and guidelines in place aligned with
recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local and
state health authorities to help prevent the spread of illness.
Telehealth Appointments Available
As of March 24, 2020, ACRM will operate ALL visits from the “Perimeter”
location (5909 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Suite 600.)
Due to COVID-19, we have changed our clinical structure to ensure safety
and efficiency:
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Services offered:
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We will continue to offer telemedicine visits to new and current patients.
This is an ideal time to meet virtually with your doctor and prepare your
treatment plan for the future.
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We will continue to offer testing visits for healthy patients.
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We will continue to offer obstetric visits for healthy patients through
“graduation.”
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All ACRM “satellite” offices (Buckhead, Marietta and John’s
Creek) will be closed until further notice.
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At this time, we are not initiating any new IUI, IVF or embryo transfer
cycles. This is in accordance with national and international guidelines
(American Society for Reproductive Medicine/ASRM, European Society of
Human Reproduction and Embryology/ESHRE.)
We will continue to update this website. Please know that we are here for
you in this time of uncertainty and that health and safety is our priority
To limit the potential spread of COVID-19, we are asking that patients
follow the instructions below:
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If you are actively sick with fever,
please stay home until the fever has been clear of your system for 14 days post fever to
prevent the spread of disease to our patients and staff.
- Please contact your primary care physician or local health department if
you are ill or have any health concerns. ACRM does not have the ability
to test for COVID-19.
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Please
do not bring your child/children with you to any of your appointments.
- Avoid traveling to areas with active outbreaks of COVID-19 and remain away
from others that may have traveled to at risk areas for a minimum of 14 days.
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If you have traveled to a country where COVID-19 has been reported, we
recommend that you postpone treatments and
all office appointments until two weeks after returning home.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially
after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose,
coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water
if hands are visibly dirty or if you’ve been around those that are sick.
- Consider adhering to social distancing (i.e. avoid large gatherings or
unneccessary close exposure to people outside of your family) for the
immediate future
COVID-19 Q&A for Patients
Q: Does COVID-19 impact fertility?
A: Currently, there is no data or scientific evidence to suggest that COVID-19
impacts fertility.
Q: Do you recommend that I postpone any attempt at getting pregnant until
the virus is contained?
A: Possibly. At this time, the data is very limited regarding the impact
of COVID-19 on pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. For that
reason, we are strongly discouraging attempts at pregnancy until we have
more data.
Q: Will COVID-19 increase my risk of miscarriage?
A: Currently, there is no information on adverse pregnancy outcomes in
pregnant women with COVID-19. Pregnancy loss, including miscarriage and
stillbirth, has been observed in cases of infection with other related
coronaviruses [SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV] during pregnancy. High fevers during
the first trimester of pregnancy can increase the risk of certain birth
defects. (Source:
CDC)
Q: If I recently traveled abroad, will that impact when I start treatment at ACRM?
A: We recommend waiting two weeks after traveling to areas with reported
cases of COVID-19 before you visit the office or clinic.
Q: How will you ensure that my eggs/embryos/sperm will remain safe in the lab?
A: ACRM, a CCRM network clinic, has some of the most state-of-the-art technologies
available and implements some of the strictest lab standards and protocols
in the industry, to provide our patients with the gold standard in patient care.
Q: What happens if I get exposed to COVID-19 during my IVF cycle?
A: If you have symptoms of respiratory distress, which is common with COVID-19,
your IVF cycle will mostly likely be canceled. You do not want to use
anesthesia to suppress respirations even further, at a time that you are
already compromised due to a viral infection. ACRM wants to protect our
patients and our staff from a potential exposure, thus if you are ill
your cycle will be canceled.
Q: Does ACRM plan on shutting down for a period of time?
A: No, ACRM will not be shutting down, as there are flu and cold viruses
all year long. As a healthcare facility, ACRM is accustomed and proficient
at infection control like many hospitals are. ACRM has policies and procedures
for cleaning our instruments and patient care areas to reduce the risk
of spreading infections. However, we will be conducting more visits via
telemedicine and deferring nonessential visits for the time being.
For current travel advisories and up-to-date information on COVID-19, please
visit the
CDC’s COVID-19 website.