Deep Werks Massage Therapy Clinic Return to Practice Protocol

Covid-19 screening for Patients and RMTs

PRE-SCREENING – PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

All Patients will be informed of the Deep Werks Return to Practice Protocol before arriving at the clinic. Patients will be informed of this when they book.
Informed Consent will be required for all appointments.

This will include ensuring that all patients understand that while Deep Werks Massage Therapist Clinic is taking measures to minimize the risk of viral transmission, the nature of massage therapy means that physical distancing is not possible in the treatment room. All Patients will be required to sign a Covid-19 Informed Consent Form at the clinic, prior to treatment.

Patients may opt to bring a Face Mask or Face Covering.

Patients will be required to complete the BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool prior to booking, one day prior to their appointment.

RMT’s will be required to complete the RMTBC Self Monitoring Protocol Form and the BC COVID-19 self-assessment tool daily..

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SCREENING UPON ARRIVAL

Upon arrival, the RMT and Patient will be required to run through the self-assessment outcomes again before moving forward with treatment.

The RMT will be required to cancel the appointment if the Patient does not meet the pre-screening criteria on physical presentation at the office.

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Physical Distancing

ENTRY and RECEPTION

RMTs and Patients must maintain 2 meters (6 feet) of distance in clinic areas, other than the treatment room, as best as possible within the practice setting.

Appointment start times will be staggered by at least 15 minutes to minimize contact between Patients and RMTs.

One Way Traffic Flow will be indicated on the stair cases (the front staircase will be demarcated for up and the back staircase will be demarcated for down).

Patients will be required to arrive unaccompanied, unless the Patient is a minor who requires a parent/guardian, or is infirm and needs assistance.

Patients will be required to arrive for their appointment no earlier than 5 minutes prior. Patients will be instructed to wait outside in the lobby if they arrive earlier than 5 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment.

TREATMENT ROOM

It is not possible to maintain physical distancing in the treatment room.

Pre-screening, physical distancing, Face Masks, hand hygiene, and enhanced cleaning will be employed to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission.

Hand Hygiene

RECEPTION / ENTRY

Patients will be required to sanitize hands upon arrival and departure.

Patients with visibly soiled hands will be required to wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and thoroughly dry them prior to moving to the treatment room.

RMTs will be required to wash hands often, using soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds each time.

Paper receipts will not be provided. All receipts will be emailed.

IN THE TREATMENT ROOM

Sanitization options will be available for the RMT and Patient in the treatment room.

Face Touching Avoidance – e.g., avoid touching eyes, mouth, nose.
Patients will be advised to use a tissue if an itch must be addressed and tissues will be available for patient’s use in reception and treatment room.

Masks will be made available for Patients and for RMTs to help them to avoid touching their face.

RMTs will be required to makes use of hand towel or tissue to touch or scratch face, or to sneeze into.

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Enhanced Cleaning

All RMTs will be trained in sanitation processes.

All visibly soiled surfaces will be cleaned, followed by disinfection.

All high-touch surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected in between patients, regardless of appearance.

All linens (including blankets) will be single use only, then laundered in hot soapy water.

All common areas and high touch surfaces will be frequently cleaned and disinfected at least three times a day (e.g. light switches, window coverings, cell phones, tablets, chairs, stools, table surfaces).

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Face masks will be required to be worn by the RMT and is optional for the Patient in all areas of the clinic, including the Treatment room.

Wearing Face Masks during prone treatments will be at the discretion of the RMT and Patient. If either the RMT or Patient request the use of Face Masks during prone treatment, Face Masks will be required to be worn or the session will be modified (changed from prone position to a position acceptable to the Client for the wearing of Face Masks) or concluded.

If both the RMT and Patient are comfortable without the use of other PPE (gloves, face shields, bibs etc.), PPE will not be required to be worn during the treatment. If at any time during the treatment, either the RMT or the Patient decide that they want other PPE to be used, PPE will be required or the session will be concluded.

If either the Patient or the RMT feels that additional risk mitigation is necessary, the decision to use said risk mitigation will be one way forward or the treatment will be concluded.

Donning and doffing a mask: RMTs and Patients will be required to sanitize hands or wash hands with soap and water prior to putting on a mask, prior to taking off a mask, and after disposing of a mask in the laundry or garbage (cloth or paper/disposable).

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Professional Obligations

If a Patient alleges that they caught COVID-19 from an RMT at Deep Werks Massage Therapist Clinic:

The RMT will be required to immediately call Public Health at 8-1-1 and report the alleged transmission, providing both the RMT’s name and the name and contact information of the Patient.

The RMT will not provide any further massage therapy treatment to anyone until Public Health has investigated and has provided direction.

The RMT will immediately self-isolate until the matter has been investigated and Public Health direction has been provided.

If you have any questions, concerns or comments about this Return to Practice Protocol please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Gary Schweitzer RMT