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Dr.Kimberly Huynh |
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June 5, 2020 · 6 min |
This COVID-19 Safety Plan was developed to outline the policy, guideline, and procedures that Paradise Chiropractic has put in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. No form of hands on treatment is risk-free. Even if the doctor, staff, and patient appear well and abide by all the recommended procedures and protocols listed by BC Centre for Disease Control and WorkSafeBC, there is still a risk of transmission of COVID-19.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found mostly in animals. In humans, they can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The disease caused by this new coronavirus has been named COVID-19. While many of the characteristics of COVID-19 are still unknown, mild to severe illness has been reported for confirmed cases. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses including Influenza and the common cold. Symptoms include: ◻ Fever ◻ Chills ◻ Cough ◻ Shortness of breath ◻ Sore throat and painful swallowing ◻ Stuffy or runny nose ◻ Loss of sense of smell ◻ Headache ◻ Muscle aches ◻ Fatigue ◻ Loss of appetite Sometimes people with COVID-19 have mild illness, but their symptoms may suddenly worsen in a few days. People infected with COVID-19 may also experience symptoms like diarrhea, nausea and vomiting a few days after the onset of the above symptoms. Coronavirus is transmitted via liquid droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. The virus can enter through these droplets through the eyes, nose or throat if you are in close contact. The virus is not known to be airborne (e.g. transmitted through the particles floating in the air) and it is not something that comes in through the skin. It can be spread by touch if a person has used their hands to cover their mouth or nose when they cough. That’s why we recommend you cough or sneeze into your arm and wash your hands regularly. Source: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19
Our policy ensures that workers and patients showing symptoms of COVID-19 are prohibited from the clinic. There will be no cancellation fee applied for patients displaying signs and/or symptoms of COVID-19. Paradise Chiropractic
◻ At the beginning of each work day, doctor and staff will have their temperature checked as well as an COVID-19 self-assessment completed. ◻ If the doctor or staff show any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, treatments will be cancelled and patients will be informed.
In the event that the chiropractor and/or staff develops COVID-19 symptoms:
◻ The chiropractor and/or staff will immediately call public health at 811 to report and provide any necessary information and request testing. ◻ The chiropractor and/or staff will immediately self-isolate.
If testing is granted:
◻ All chiropractic appointments will be cancelled, and the chiropractor and/or staff will cease to provide services until test results are returned negative. ◻ If testing proves positive the chiropractor and/or staff will follow Public Health directives in informing patients that they treated or have been into close contact over the previous 14 days about the potential of transmission
If testing is not granted:
◻ All chiropractic appointments will be cancelled and the chiropractor and/or staff will cease to provide services for a minimum of 10 days beyond the onset of symptoms, and/or until symptoms cease ◻ The chiropractor and staff are following all the health and safety guidelines outlined by the Provincial Health Officer
Patients
◻ Patients will be required to complete the COVID-19 pre-screen emailed to them prior to initial treatment. For patients with no access to email a pre-screen phone call will be conducted prior to initial treatment ◻ Booking and receiving an appointment with the clinic requires the patient to sign a waiver of consent. If the patient refuses to sign, no treatment will be provided ◻ Once at the clinic, a second assessment will be done with temperature checks using an infrared forehead thermometer
If the patient shows up for their appointment and displays physical signs of illness the appointment will immediately be cancelled. They will be directed to use the following self-assessment tool: https://bc.thrive.health/covid19/en or call 811 to determine if the patient needs further assessment for COVID-19 testing by a physician, nurse practitioner or at a local collection centre. Patients with high risk profiles and/or weakened immune systems should consider other alternatives for care, postpone treatment, or request less busier times in the clinic. For more detail please contact the clinic directly. In the event that a patient tests positive for COVID-19 and has been to an appointment at the clinic within 14 days prior to diagnosis, the patient will contact and inform the clinic of the positive test results and possible transmission of the virus immediately.
Paradise Chiropractic
◻ Cleaning guidelines are in place to ensure proper sanitation and overall cleanliness ◻ Appointments are spaced out to ensure adequate time to clean and encourage social distancing ◻ Hand hygiene requirements and personal protective equipment will be worn
Patients
◻ Arrive on time and not too early or late ◻ Arrive by yourself unless needed for other health/mobility reasons ◻ Avoid physical contact as much as possible including hand shaking, hugging, and face touching ◻ Patients are required to come in with their own mask. Masks will be provided if the patient does not have one ◻ Hand hygiene requirements before and after treatment with hand sanitizer or hand washing ◻ Requiring patient compliance and consent with all the new measures taking place
Paradise Chiropractic
◻ As usual, towels and gowns are single-used and to be laundered after with detergent and bleach ◻ Waiting room area including reception desk, coffee table, door knobs, payment machine, hand washing area will be disinfected between every use ◻ Treatment room will be cleaned using hospital grade disinfectant including medical equipments (i.e. stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, etc.), chiropractic table, table, door knobs, lotion bottles, chiropractic and massage tools, and electronic devices ◻ As usual, the usage of cups for cupping therapy will be singled-used and be clean with soap water, bleach solution, rinse, and dried overnight ◻ Direct billing will be offered. For those not applicable, contactless payment is preferred. We accept interac/debit, VISA, Mastercard, and American Express. Receipts will be emailed unless requested for it to be printed
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. We will get through this together. See you soon. Sincerely, Paradise Chiropractic Team
