Covid19 Crisis Protocol For Just So Physio
Safety of both patients and staff is paramount and guidance as set below is based within that framework:
A face to face consultation will only commence once a telephone triage conversation and risk assessment has taken place and the outcome is deemed safe and the need for face to face treatment outweighs the risk of covid19 transmission.
On arrival patients are expected to wash their hands or use the antibacterial gel.
At social distance there is then a brief verbal risk assessment done again between therapist and patient. The therapist will check the patient’s temperature using a contactless thermometer.
Consent to treat is given and the risk assessment form signed.
The therapist will wear PPE which is in compliance with government guidelines: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control
- Non-latex gloves (single use)
- Apron (single use)
- IIR facemask (single use)
- Eye protection goggles/face visor if deemed necessary.
It is requested that the patient also wear a face mask, and will be provided with one by Just So Physio if they do not arrive with one.
Only one therapist and one patient will be in the clinic building at any one time.
Appointment times are staggered so that social distancing remains preserved outside of consulting areas and to allow time for all surfaces and equipment to be disinfected between patients.
Disposable pillow cases and paper couch roll will be used and disposed of safely by double bagging and securely tying and stored for 72 hours or disposed of as category B clinical waste.
On the matter of Covid19 transmission, it is well known that people can carry this illness with absolutely no symptoms of being unwell. The role of this protocol is to make an assumption that anyone in the population can be a Covid19 carrier.
The overall purpose of this protocol is to minimise the risk of Covid19 transmission between patient and therapist.
Your Agreement with Us
We advise that you consider a video consultation rather than a face to face appointment unless there is a clinical need to have hands on physiotherapy. In order for us to establish this, you will be required to have a risk assessment call or email prior to attending the clinic. We reserve the right to refuse a face to face appointment if it is deemed unnecessary or unsafe. This is in line with the recommendations from our regulatory body: The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy https://www.csp.org.uk/news/coronavirus/clinical-guidance/face-face-or-remote-consultations/guidance-england
We have done everything we can to reduce the risk of our clinician and patients contracting Covid-19. However, if you come for face to face treatment, please be aware that there is no way that we can eliminate the risk of you contracting Covid-19.
Please do not come in if either you or one of your household is in one of the higher risk groups including, but not exclusively, those who are immunosuppressed, those with underlying heart or lung conditions, those over the age of 75.
Please do not come in if you have not been following the government guidelines for social distancing. If you are unsure of these please follow this link: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Please do not come in if either you or one of your household has been ill in the last two weeks. Including, but not exclusively, the following symptoms: fever over 38 degrees, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, head aches or fatigue.
What You Need to do Before, During and After Your Appointment
We ask you to adhere to the following rules. We will terminate your appointment if you do not adhere to these rules and you will still be liable for the cost of the session:
- Please read and sign the written consent form.
- Please wear a face mask for the entire time that you are in the building, as per government guidelines. If you do not have one you will be provided with one.
- We will be taking your temperature before you enter the clinic to ensure you do not have a fever using an infrared thermometer.
- We will ask you to carefully clean your hands with alcohol-based gel before you enter the clinic.
- Please maintain a two metre distance from your clinician for the parts of your session that are possible to do so.
- The doors to the treatment room and clinic will be left open to maximise ventilation except for when they need to be closed for your privacy.
- If you develop any symptoms in the two weeks following your consultation please notify us immediately.