Phase 3 - Infection Control Protocols
Please find below our operating plan for the first phase of opening. It is important to note that this is a conservative, partial opening. We will be continuing to monitor the COVID-19 government and college recommendations / regulations and advise when we can progress piecemeal towards full operations. The plan is based on six key factors:
Safety of Patients, Therapists, Staff and our Laundry guy, Jack.
Reducing “touch points”.
Limiting availability in treatment schedule.
PPE (MANDATORY: masks. OPTIONAL: eye-wear, gloves) is available for therapeutic interaction.
Strictly enforcing physical distancing measures and protective masks outside the therapeutic interaction.
Enhanced sanitizing procedures.
CONSIDERATIONS
If you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, you are asked to remain at home and feel better. Seek medical advice if required. BC Centre for Disease Control Resource.
Do not attend if you are considered vulnerable or at risk.
Clinic or building access is not permitted for Patients who are in self isolation as a result of international travel (14 days), or for anyone (non-medical professional, lacking PPE and cleaning procedure) who has recently, in the past 14 days, been exposed to a known or potential case of COVID-19.
BOOKINGS
Bookings can be made online, or by email request.
Clinical and Virtual Physio visits are available to be scheduled.
Clinical Pilates (30-40 minutes) will be available on site on the Reformer with a Physical Therapist only - online Virtual exercise sessions remain available with Rebecca and Ayla and Physical Therapists.
RULES
PPE will be provided - mask, gloves, eye protection.
No towels or water will be provided.
Although in normal practice a friend or family member may accompany you to your visit, at this time only the active patient is allowed - please consider the Virtual Physio Portal as an alternative for a group consultation.
Only TWO Patients and TWO Therapists will be allowed in the clinic at one time.
One washroom will have a toilet available, one washroom will be designated as hand-washing only and will ensure an open door for passage.
All patients and staff will be asked to sanitize / wash their hands once they arrive at the clinic. Patients will also be asked to sanitize / wash hands before entering and exiting a treatment room. Sanitizer stations will be located at entry and exit points.
If you would like to change into shorts / shirt in your Physio appointment, please bring them in a pillow case (not plastic bag). At the end of the appointment, please place them back into the pillow case to be dropped into your laundry machine. This is a hospital staff protocol, and what we are expecting from our staff as a fundamental clean procedure.
UPON ARRIVAL
Patients must arrive on time for their booking - you will not be permitted to arrive early.
Use the entry code on the panel so that your Therapist may grant you entrance (buzz in) to the building - you may want to use a pen to push the buttons.
“Clean In, Clean Out” is our mantra. Loosely, don’t bring any germs in with you, don’t leave with any.
We anticipate using the front stairwell as “up only” to our clinic (back stairwell as “down only”.
Your Therapist will be expecting you, and will be wearing a mask.
A mask will be given to you, and the option for gloves or eye-protection.
You will be directed to your freshly sanitized Treatment room, where you will be asked again to sanitize your hands.
Your personal items will be placed into a bin that is sanitized after every appointment.
If you like, you may elect to bring a cloth pillow case / bag (not plastic) available to wrap your shoes during your visit.
DURING TREATMENT
Your Therapist (wearing a mask) will confirm you are ready (proper clothing, PPE) before entering the treatment room and sanitizing hands.
You will be expected to wear a mask at all times unless our regulatory bodies provide specific allowances (ex. Face-down on the treatment table).
AFTER TREATMENT
We ask that you leave 40-45 minutes after the start of your Physio appointment - this schedule allows physical distancing from another Patient or other Therapist.
You must continue to wear the mask until you leave the building (at a minimum). The mask is yours - eye-wear must be returned for sanitizing.
Please sanitize your hands before leaving the room.
Patients are not permitted to stay after their appointment, and are expected to immediately leave the building.
We anticipate the building having one way stairwells down to the front exit.
PAYMENT
When your appointment is booked, a credit card will be used to secure the appointment.
We will direct bill insurance companies for your treatment, and any associated charges will be billed to your credit card. It is the Patient’s responsibility to confirm insurance coverage.
COMMUNICATION
Administrative staff will not be present in the clinic.
The most efficient way to receive a timely response is to email - a Virtual Front Desk has been arranged to work off-site.
A voicemail may be left at 604-569-3891 although it may not be checked until the end of day.
Please assume your Therapist does not have access to their email when they are attending clinical hours.
CLEANING PROCEDURE
Therapists are provided the necessary time and equipment to properly sanitize table, door handle, chair, bin, and counter surfaces in the room.
IMPORTANT
In order to attend, all Patients must accept and complete an updated online electronic declaration acknowledging COVID-19 protocols prior to attending their appointment - no exceptions. Log in to your account to view the documents under Intake Forms and sign. You will also be prompted in your email confirming an online booking.
In the event of a late-cancelled or non-attended appointment, the clinic policy assumes you are ill. You will not be able to rebook within TWO weeks, unless you present documentation of a negative test result.
Masks are yours to have and use for your and others protection - please do not remove protective eyewear, hand sanitizer, or other item that you did not bring with you from the clinic. You will be charged.
We are constantly monitoring the best recommendations of Health Authorities, and are preparing our clinical safety protocols for when a progression in service is considered appropriate in the community.
Please note that our policy is a precautionary measure after having carefully considered the advice from our respective regulatory bodies, as well as the Provincial and Federal government. Though no one is sick, we all have people that fall into the category of vulnerable population that we want to keep safe.