Ontario Lockdowns- What does this mean for your next appointment?
With the start of Ontario's most recent Lockdown, I have had a number of clients ask:
"Are you still open?"
The short answer is, YES! As Massage therapists we are deemed an Essential Service Providers.
So far, WE WILL REMAIN OPEN THROUGH ALL TYPES OF LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS.
We are here to support and unburden the already taxed health care system.
However, Osteopathic Manual Practitioners are not regulated, and therefore cannot practice for the duration of the Stay-at-Home Orders (April 30, 2021). If you think that Osteopathic Practitioners should be considered an essential service in Ontario, consider signing this petition Here: Sign Petition!
During this time, we will be reducing our practice to clients with Essential Care needs ONLY. Further, our practitioners will only be allowed to practice Massage Therapy and not Osteopathic manual therapy. Once the provincial government allows Osteopathic practice to resume we will be able to resume booking and billing for Osteopathy. The delay is because Osteopathy is not yet regulated in Ontario and therefore does not have consistent oversight.
Q> So what does this mean for you?
Please reschedule your upcoming appointment IF:
you do not wish to attend the appointment booked and billed under registered Massage Therapy
you believe your appointment is not considered for essential care needs,
Q> Still unsure if your appointment is deemed essential?
We have prepared the following information for you to help make an informed decision about your care and personal risk assessment.
Ask yourself these questions:
Will my condition worsen without treatment? e.g. acute pain/injury, chronic unstable health condition, physical symptoms associated with mental health/stress/anxiety, etc.
Am I likely to suffer acute, severe or imminent harm if treatment is delayed? e.g. unstable chronic condition, new symptoms requiring physical examination, etc.
Am I at high risk to experience severe outcomes if I contract COVID-19? e.g. asthmatic, diabetes, immune compromised, over aged 65, etc
If you are seeking treatment for on-going general maintenance of good health, we can delay your massage until the community risk decreases. If you would like to postpone your appointment, please visit our website to reschedule Book Now!
We continue to implement all of our infection prevention and control guidelines to keep our office space as safe as we can and minimize risk of transmission. We thank you for your understanding, and your continued support during this time!
Q> What extra procedures should I expect when I arrive for my appointments?
Below I have also laid out the new precautions and procedures which we will be following to keep everyone safe and healthy during their appointments. Please read through and let me know if you have any questions. Always remember to stay within your personal comfort, if an in-person visit is not available to you at this time, I would still love to have you check in with an email or phone call!
Required safety precautions and protocols (which may further evolve):
1) All patients at the clinic must screen negative for COVID-19. An email survey will be sent the day before your appointment, and will be reevaluated at the beginning of your appointment. Individuals that screen positive are required to cancel their appointment, and follow up testing for COVID-19 is recommended. Please note, this screening applies to all people attending an appointment (e.g. parent and child). Please avoid bringing unnecessary individuals to appointments.
2) If I screen positive for COVID-19 I will be cancelling all appointments.
3) Clients must come to the appointment wearing a clean disposable or reusable mask to be worn throughout the treatment. If a health condition or breathing difficulty prevents the wearing of a mask then I am permitted to cancel or continue the appointment, depending upon my risk assessment. I am permitted to provide a surgical mask to clients, but please do your best to bring your own mask as it will extend my PPE supplies.
4) Both therapist and clients are required to wear a mask throughout the appointment. Therapists will require a surgical grade mask, and if needed a face shield of eye goggles. Hand washing is required before and after touching, adjusting, putting on, or removing the masks.
5) Ample supply of hand sanitizer (inside and outside entrance, in treatment room) and hand washing supplies (e.g. soap, disposable paper towel).
6) Enhanced cleaning and disinfection between clients (e.g. door handles, treatment table, counter surfaces, washroom), use of HEPA filters, and documented cleaning schedules. All previous standard practices will continue (e.g. hand washing, changing linens, table and pillow protectors, pillowcases and blankets between clients).
7) Increasing time between appointments to permit proper cleaning and disinfection. There will be at least 30 minutes between appointments. Please do not come inside until 2 minutes before your appointment. This will prevent contact with other clients and provide me with enough time to properly clean and disinfect.
8) The waiting area will be closed. All visitors entering and exiting the building will be pre-screened and documented. Please do not bring extra company to wait for you in the treatment room, or waiting area. An exception is made if you require assistance during appointment. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 within 7 days following your appointment, please notify us immediately.
9) You will notice that I will have fewer appointments per day available due to the neccessary cleaning time between appointments. That said, if you require urgent care and can’t find an appointment time please let me know and I will do my best to open up some extra space. Online booking is Still Available.
10) To reduce time spent in the waiting area, and on touch screen surfaces we suggest that you prepay for your appointment using Interac E-Transfer.
***Please note that despite all of these extra precautions the risk of acquiring COVID-19 (or other infectious disease) can not be eliminated entirely. You must determine if the benefit outweighs the risk for you, and assume this risk if you choose to attend an appointment. ***