PRE-SCREENING

All patients will be asked at the time of booking and 48 hours prior to their appointment about any experienced symptoms or possible exposure to COVID-19. We retain the right to defer in-person treatment for any patient who does not cooperate with pre-screening or who is experiencing symptoms of concern.

Symptoms include:

• fever

• chills

• cough (new or worsening)

• shortness of breath

• sore throat

• runny nose

• loss of smell/taste

We recognize that many of these symptoms can also occur with the common flu/cold, allergies, or change of seasons, but it goes a long way for the health and safety of our staff and community if we remain cautious, especially as infection numbers remain high.

For chiropractic and physiotherapy patients with any symptoms, we encourage you to convert any in-person visits to video visits, which can effectively and safely continue your recovery.

SCREENING QUESTIONS

1. Do you have a fever and/or any of the above symptoms?

2. In the last 14 days, have you come in close contact with anyone who has or is likely to have COVID-19?

3. Are you awaiting results for a COVID-19 test?

4. Have you left BC within the last 14 days?

If you answer "Yes” to any of the above, please refrain from visiting the clinic and call us immediately to reschedule any upcoming appointments or convert them to video visits. Unsure if your symptoms qualify? Call 8-1-1 for HealthLink BC or visit healthlinkbc.ca or use the BC COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool.

WHEN ARRIVING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

In order to continue physical distancing as recommended by BC Health, we ask that all patients familiarize themselves with our NEW safety measures:

• Please arrive on time for your visit; no more than 5 minutes early. We have added gaps between appointments to allow us to thoroughly disinfect all contact points between patients, and we need time to do so.

• When you arrive, you’re welcome to come to wait in reception or in the hall until your practitioner opens the door.

• Unless you require assistance, please attend your appointment alone.

• If you are an older patient or have a chronic illness and require in-person treatment, we can schedule you as the first appointment of the day for extra peace of mind. Here is the BCCDC’s handout for those with chronic health conditions.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING AT THE CLINIC

• 2-metre distance from the front desk: if payment is required, please maintain distance until our team member prepares the card terminal for you. The card terminal will be disinfected before and after each transaction. Patients will also have the option to provide their credit card number to our system on file, for contactless payment.

• For patients with back-to-back appointments, we will use separate waiting rooms.

MASKS & HANDWASHING

Put on a mask prior to entering the clinic. If you do not have a mask, please let us know in advance.

As recommended by the BCCDC, patients and staff should perform hand washing or use hand sanitizer:

• On entering/exiting the clinic;

• On entering/exiting the treatment room;

• After using the washroom;

• After coughing or sneezing or touching their face/mask

As recommended by the BCCDC, health practitioners must also perform hand hygiene:

• before and after contact with patient & treatment rooms

• before donning and after doffing a mask

Prior to entering the treatment room, your practitioner will kindly request that you sanitize your hands one more time; they will do the same.

DURING YOUR APPOINTMENT

• All health practitioners and patients must wear masks for mutual protection.

• Please keep your own mask on for the duration of your visit. Patients receiving massage treatment may remove their mask for face-down procedures. As per the CMTBC: “Cloth masks may be indicated for portions of the treatment – details will be provided at a later date – but PPE is otherwise unlikely to play a significant role.” (Source)

• We have consulted with building management to increase HVAC ventilation. We are also increasing our airflow with fans, air purifiers, HEPA filters, and open doors when possible.

AFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT

• You are welcome to use the hand sanitizer or hand washing stations.

• Please continue wearing your mask until you leave the clinic.

• When at the front desk, please maintain a 2-metre distance from staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES

Clinic spaces will be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with the BCCDC’s Environmental Cleaning and Disinfectants for Clinic Settings. In short:

• Equipment and treatment tables will be cleaned between patients.

• Bed linens and pillow cases will be changed between patients.

• Door knobs, light switches, chairs, floors, and other frequently-touched surfaces will be disinfected at least 4x per day.

Helpful links:

• BC Centre for Disease Control

• Provincial Infection Control Network (PICNet)

• Ministry of Health and the Office of the Public Health Officer

• WorkSafeBC

• BC’s Restart Plan

References:

1. “Providing In-person Community Care During COVID-19 — Guidance for Regulated Health-care Providers Including Physical Therapists” College of Physical Therapists of BC

2. “Infection Prevention and Control” College of Physical Therapists of BC

3. “CMTBC Interim Guidelines for Return to Practice” College of Massage Therapists of BC

4. “COVID-19: Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Community-Based Allied Health Care Providers in Clinic Settings” BC Centre of Disease Control

5. “Health professionals: Protocols for returning to operation” WorkSafeBC