Environmental Measures

Cleaning and Disinfection

Cleaning and disinfection practices at PhysioStop are in accordance with the BCCDC’s ‘Environment Cleaning and Disinfectants for Clinic Settings’ document.

• All shared equipment including practice tools, tables and examination beds will be cleaned/disinfected between patients/clients

• Frequently-touched surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected at least twice a day.

  These include medical equipment, door knobs, light switches, telephones, keyboards, mice, pens, charts, cell phones, toys and all hard surfaces in bathrooms such as sinks, faucets, handles.

• General cleaning and disinfecting of procedure and examination rooms will occur at least twice a day.

• PhysioStop will limit items that are not easily cleaned such as fabric or soft items.

• Garbage containers will be emptied daily.

• Disposable gloves will be available and used when cleaning blood or body fluids.

• All practitioners will perform hand hygiene before wearing and after removing gloves.

In accordance with the BCCDC guidelines, there is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted via paper or other paper-based products. As such, there is no need to limit the distribution of paper resources, such as leaflets, to patients because of COVID-19.

Physical Changes to PhysioStop

• Chair location within the waiting room have been reconfigured to allow 2 meters space between people waiting for their appointments. People accompanying patient’s to their visits will be encouraged to wait in their cars unless it is necessary for them to be present during the visit.

• Red footprint markers have been placed throughout the clinic delineating physical distancing requirements in all areas of the clinic including the gym.

• Alcohol-based hand rubs (at least 70% concentration) will be available throughout the clinic including at the front door, at reception, in each treatment room and in the staff room.

• Surfaces have been cleared of all unnecessary items.

• Up-to-date COVID signage will be posted throughout the facility.

• Plexiglass will be installed at the reception desk.

• Contactless water bottle filling station has been installed in lieu of the water fountain.

Administrative Measures

Physical Distancing and Minimizing Physical Contact

Physical distancing means maintaining a distance of 2 meters between two or more people wherever possible.  It is understood that for the provision of certain physiotherapy and kinesiology services, it is not possible to maintain this distance between the patient and care provider.

• The number of people in the clinic and waiting room will be reduced.

• Close greetings (handshakes, hugs etc.) will be avoided.

• Appointment times will be staggered, and practitioners will be limited to seeing 1 patient per hour.

Covid-19 Screening

• Pre-appointment screening will be available on our website; specifically referred to in appointment confirmation emails; and all efforts will be made to have the patient contacted the day of the appointment to do a pre-screen prior to their arrival at the appointment.

• Patients/clients with symptoms of common cold, influenza, COVID-19, or other infectious respiratory disease will not be seen in clinic. Services for these patients will be delayed until 10 days from the onset of symptoms AND until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer.

• If an appointment is deferred, the patient will be informed about what to do if their symptoms get worse.

• All health care providers will perform a point of care risk assessment (PCRA) for COVID-19.

Personal Measures

Stay Home When Sick

• All staff who have symptoms of COVID-19 OR travelled outside Canada in the last 14 days OR were identified as a close contact of a confirmed case must stay home and self-isolate.

• Staff must assess themselves daily for symptoms of common cold, influenza, or COVID-19 prior to entering the clinic.

Hand Hygiene

Rigorous hand hygiene with plain soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) is the most effective way to reduce the spread of illness.  Both staff and patients should practice diligent hand hygiene as follows:

• Wash hands with plain soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Antibacterial soap is not needed for COVID-19.

• If sinks are not available, patients and staff are to use alcohol-based hand rub containing at least 70% alcohol.

• If hands are visibly soiled, alcohol-based hand rub may not be effective at eliminating respiratory viruses. Soap and water are preferred when hands are visibly dirty.

• Signs instructing proper hand washing technique will be posted in each bathroom.

• Hand hygiene stations will be set up at the clinic entrance, so everyone can perform hand hygiene when they enter.

• PhysioStop will ensure hand washing supplies are well stocked at all times including plain soap, paper towels and where appropriate, alcohol-based hand rub with a minimum of 70% alcohol.

• Paper towels will be disposed of in non-touch waste-baskets lined with a garbage bag.

For patients and staff, hand hygiene should be performed:

• On entering the clinic;

• On entering the examination/procedure room;

• On leaving the examination/procedure room;

• After using the washroom;

• After using a tissue for their face; and

• After coughing or sneezing

For staff, hand hygiene must also be performed:

• Before and after contact with patient or the patient care environment;

• Before and after breaks;

• Before clean or sterile procedures;

• After risk of body fluid exposure;

• Before donning PPE; and

• In between each step when doffing PPE.

Respiratory Etiquette

Patients and staff should:

• Cough or sneeze into their elbow sleeve or a tissue;

• Throw away used tissues and immediately perform hand hygiene;

• Refrain from touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands; and

• Refrain from sharing any food, drinks, unwashed utensils, cigarettes, or vaping devices.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Where it is not possible to maintain physical distance of 2 meters in the provision of health care services at PhysioStop, the following guidelines will be implemented (Note, we will not be treating patients who have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 at this time)

• Practitioners will wear a surgical mask and eye protection when less than 2 meters from a patient.

• All staff will undergo a refresher on the proper technique to both don and doff PPE.

• Patients will be required to wear a mask during sessions in which the practitioner is required to be within 2 meters. They can bring their own masks, although PhysioStop will have masks available for patients.  PhysioStop reserves the right to implement additional charges to cover the costs of purchasing said masks.