Welcome . . .
Osteopathic Medicine
"I believe that the role of a physician is to restore health to the sick, not wound the well."
Steve Paulus, DO, MS
THE OFFICE IS OPEN FOR IN-PERSON APPOINTMENTS DURING THE PANDEMIC.
About my office during this pandemic:
I have changed the patient flow in my office during the pandemic. Each patient will be scheduled with a break in between so that the waiting room will be empty when you arrive and I have time to clean the office. Please arrive to the office with a facemask. Place your shoes and coat in the hallway then come into the waiting room.
Office Coronavirus Defensive Strategies-Protecting You & Me
I have remained asymptomatic during this entire pandemic. I am getting tested once a month for coronavirus. My May, June, July, August, September, and October PCR nasopharyngeal swab testing have all been negative. Please go to the HANDOUT section of this website to review my detailed procedures that "protect you and me."
Office Infectious Disease Prevention Procedures
I am exceeding the Vermont Department of Health guidelines for outpatient doctors offices. See the document titled: Vermont Department of Health Requirements for Outpatient Offices. My actions are outlined in the handout titled:"Outpatient Medical Clinic-Covid Written Protocols." Please go to the HANDOUT section of this website to review my formal protocols.
CORONAVIRUS TREATMENT STRATEGIES
I have FOUR essential handouts relating to prevention and treatment of coronavirus by using evidence-based supplements. Please go to the HANDOUT section of this website for more information.
BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT: Please Read These Notices
- IF YOU CURRENTLY HAVE A FEVER or had a FEVER and are using a fever reducer, or have a definitive exposure to someone with coronavirus then CALL the office BEFORE your appointment for instructions on how to rapidly be evaluated and tested by Dr. Paulus.
- If you have NO FEVER then KEEP YOUR APPOINTMENT and follow the instructions in the hallway outside my waiting room. Instructions are listed on the door leading into the waiting room.
- I am asking that EVERY patient complete the ACUTE RESPIRATORY ILLNESS INVENTORY on the clipboard in the waiting room BEFORE seeing Dr. Paulus.
OFFICE SAFETY and CLEANLINESS
I AM PREPARED: Protecting you and me.
- I regularly clean exposed surfaces with disinfectant BETWEEN patients.
- Hand sanitizer is available for all patients.
- Face masks are available for all patients.
- I have a industrial-grade, high quality HEPA air filters in the waiting room and treatment room of my office.
- I regularly run a high intensity UVC light in both rooms of my office to further disinfect hard to clean surfaces. UV light kills airborne and surface viruses.
- I maintain the CO2 levels in my office below 1000 ppm.
- I maintain the relative humidity in my office between 30-60%.
- I use a hand-held UVC light disinfector to additionally clean keyboards, stethoscope, otoscope, thermometer, pens, and other hard to reach areas.
- I open the windows between patients to bring in fresh air to the office.
- I wash my hands between all patients and more frequently when necessary.
- I am wearing surgical scrubs to the office and use a lab coat when needed.
- If necessary I wear gloves, a face mask, and eye protection depending upon the level of clinical risk.
- I log my temperature every morning before seeing patients and complete the Acute Respiratory Illness Inventory.
- I get PCR coronavirus tested once a month as a added precaution.
- MY LEVEL OF OFFICE CLEANLINESS EXCEEDS THE STANDARDS CURRENTLY RECOMMENDED FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICAL OFFICES.
- See the INFECTIOUS DISEASE PREVENTION STRATEGIES in the HANDOUT section for my detailed protocols.
TESTING FOR CORONAVIRUS
I AM TESTING FOR CORONAVIRUS IN MY OFFICE.
- I have Covid-19 swab kits for testing patients in the office for coronavirus. I send the tests to Quest Diagnostics Laboratory. Current turn around is 3-10 days.
TELEMEDICINE
I AM PREPARED to utilize Telemedicine office visits when necessary. If you need to discuss your medical situation with me I am ready to do so via video calls that are HIPAA certified. Please call to set up an appointment.
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine has been shown to increase the function of the immune system helping you to be able to fight off an infection more efficiently. If you are sick, I will treat you using my expert Osteopathic hands to remove the obstructions to you ability to self-heal.
Consider this:
My life as a physician is devoted to service.
My philosophy is dedicated to treating you as an individual human being who has, in this moment, become a patient.
My office is not a retail store where you are a customer and I am a salesman.
I am your doctor. I am your teacher. I am a fellow human being in community with you navigating a difficult time.
We can do this together and I am here to help.
Health as a Reference Point
Osteopathy is different than other healing arts. Osteopathy does not utilize disease as a reference point, but actively engages what is healthy and vital as the therapeutic organization for healing. Healing emerges from the health in the body not from the disease.