Abbotsford Chiropractic Centre COVID-19 Safety Plan
Under the direction of the Provincial Health Officer, we are making preparations to resume in-person services. We will be complying with the approved guidelines of the PHO, WorkSafeBC and the BC Centre for Disease Control.
The virus that causes COVID-19 spreads primarily in two ways – 1) by droplets produced when a person coughs or sneezes and 2) by contacting contaminated surfaces and then touching your face. We have identified areas where people may potentially gather in our office and where practitioners and patients are in close proximity during treatments. Also, we have identified surfaces that people touch often (such as doorknobs, light switches and counter tops) and equipment that practitioners and patients both come in contact with during office visits.
Following an assessment of the risks at our workplace, four levels of protection are being put in place for the safety of our patients and staff.
1. First level protection (elimination): This will involve policies and procedures to limit the number of people in the office and also to maintain adequate social distancing of at least 2 metres when people are inside the office.
Walk-In Appointments - Walk-in appointments are not permitted at this time.
Pre-screening – All patients must be pre-screened before presenting to the office for treatment. When calling the office, patients will be directed to our website to complete an auto-fill self-assessment document which will then be forwarded directly to reception. For individuals who do not have access to a computer, we will make printed self-assessment forms available outside the office for pick-up and completion prior to appointment scheduling. These documents will then be reviewed by staff prior to scheduling of any appointment. If pre-screening reveals any patient to be suffering from potential COVID-19 symptoms, they will be directed to contact 811 for further information on the appropriate course of action. If pre-screening is negative, patients may be scheduled for an appointment.
Modified Scheduling - Appointment times will be spread out and staggered to minimize traffic through the office and to allow sufficient time for sanitizing of treatment rooms. This means that we will be seeing few patients each day and allowing more time between visits.
Patients Presenting for Appointments - Patients will be instructed to not bring other individuals into the office with them when presenting for treatment (exceptions: care givers or parents/guardians of minors). Patients will be instructed to enter the office no more than five (5) minutes before their appointment time. They are to wait in their vehicle or outside the office until the appropriate time. Patients will be processed promptly at the front desk (payment and rebooking if possible) and then directed immediately back to treatment rooms.
After Appointments - When patients are leaving treatment rooms, practitioners will first scan the hallway for traffic and then direct patients to leave by the closest front exit door.
Scheduling Follow-Up Appointments – Whenever possible, we will schedule follow-up visits at the time of check-in. When this is not possible, patients will return to front desk after their treatment to schedule their next appointment. If the reception area is too busy to allow adequate social distancing, patients will be instructed to leave and reschedule over the telephone.
Washrooms – Access to washrooms will be on an emergency basis only. Please plan accordingly.
Occupancy limits - The reception area will be limited to maximum of four (4) people at a time. Social distancing decals will be placed on the floor to ensure adequate separation. Only reception staff will be permitted behind the front desk.
2. Second Level Protection (engineering controls): When physical distancing is not possible, barriers will be installed to separate people.
Barriers - Plexiglass barrier will be installed on both sides of the front desk counter for maximum separation of reception staff and others. Barriers will be cleaned with soapy water and not chemical cleaners in order to protect the integrity of the barrier.
3. Third Level Protection (administrative controls): Office rules and guidelines regarding cleaning, hygiene, staff/practitioner illness, etc.
Signage – Signage will be installed at entrance, front desk reception and washrooms with instructions on office procedures related to COVID-19 and proper hygiene measures (hand washing, cough-sneeze technique, etc).
Sanitization – Shared items which may facilitate the spread of the COVID-19 virus will be removed from the office. This includes books/magazines, toys and upholstered chairs. Diluted chlorine bleach cleaning solution (or equivalent) will be used for sanitizing all common areas, treatment tables/equipment and washrooms. Treatment areas will be sanitized after every patient visit. Common areas and washrooms will be sanitized at least twice per day.
Staff or Practitioner Illness – WorkSafeBC guidelines require that anyone who has had symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 10 days must self-isolate at home. Symptoms include fever, chills, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, sore throat and new muscle aches or headache. Practitioners and staff will be required to self-assess for risk of COVID-19 each day prior to entering the office and to document this process. Working from home procedures will be developed in conjunction with staff.
4. Fourth Level Protection (PPE):
Masks – Practitioners will wear masks whenever physical distancing is not possible. Patients will be strongly encouraged to bring their own masks. Individual practitioners will reserve the right to demand patients to wear masks according to their own clinical judgment.