COVID-19

The safety of our patients, their families, and our staff is of utmost importance to us. For this reason, our team has been working hard keeping up to date with the recommendations of our regulatory bodies, the Ontario Ministry of Health, and Public Health Ontario. We have implemented many new protocols and procedures in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection.

You will find below the most up-to-date information regarding the actions that we are taking.. As this information is subject to change, we recommend that you review this information on a regular basis.

Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Hygiene Protocols:

The following cleaning, disinfecting, and hygiene protocols have been put in place for the safety of our patients, their families, and our staff:

• Regular cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces: We have created a cleaning log to ensure that high-touch surfaces are cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis by our staff. Such surfaces may include, but are not limited to, light switches, toilet and tap handles, doorknobs, hand rails, countertops, keyboards, phones, and all surfaces in the treatment rooms.
• Cleaning and disinfecting between every patient visit: In addition to cleaning the surfaces listed above, we are committed to cleaning and disinfecting our treatment tables and equipment between every patient visit. We will also clean and disinfect other objects with which you may come into direct contact, such as our waiting room and treatment room chairs, reception countertop, credit card machine, pens and clipboards.
• Removal of non-essential objects: For your safety, we have removed all non-essential objects, as well as objects that would prove difficult to clean and disinfect. Such objects include, but are not limited to, books, magazines, kids’ toys, and slippers.
• Hand hygiene: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways of preventing the transmission of infection. Our staff will wash their hands or use hand sanitizer frequently, including when entering the clinic, before and after each patient interaction, when changing their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and before and after cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
• Spacing of appointments: Scheduled appointments will also be spaced to allow us the time to disinfect our equipment and tables between every patient.

COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire:

At every appointment, you will have to complete a screening questionnaire.

If your answers result in screening positive, a member of our team will instruct you on how to proceed. Please note that screening positive does not equate a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, but is a tool that we are using to reduce the risk of exposure for all our patients, their families, and our staff.

We take the protection of your personal health information very seriously. It is important to note that, in the event that we suspect that someone has or may have COVID-19, we are required to report this information to the medical officer of health of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit in accordance with section 25(1) of the Health Protection and Promotion Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H-7.

Physical Distancing and Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

When you enter the clinic , you will notice that we have made some physical changes. These include the following:

• A new plexiglass barrier at the reception desk in order to protect our patients and staff during scheduling and payment.
• Limited seating options in the reception room in order to adhere to the recommended physical distance of 2 meters or more.
• Since we are unable to maintain the recommended physical distance of 2 meters or more during a treatment, all of our providers will be using PPE during your appointment as instructed by their regulatory bodies, the Ontario Ministry of Health, and Public Health Ontario. Such PPE may include, but is not limited to, the use of a surgical/procedural mask.

Contact Tracing Log:

We have created a contact tracing log of every person that enters the clinic at any given time, which includes people in the clinic other than patients (ex. couriers, guardians accompanying a patient, spouses, etc.). This information will be used only for contact tracing purposes should someone who visited the clinic later be diagnosed with COVID-19; however, providing this information is not mandatory.

HOW YOU CAN HELP US/STEPS THAT WE ASK YOU TO FOLLOW TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE

We are working hard to keep everyone safe while offering you the care that you require. To do so, we need your help and ask that you follow the recommendations below:

• Please refrain from any walk-ins; only come to the clinic when you are scheduled to do so. Should you have any questions, we invite you to contact us by phone or email.
• Please be on time for your appointments as this helps us create a safe patient flow.
• Should you be early for an appointment, please wait in your car until your appointment time in order to limit the number of people in the clinic at the same time and help maintain the recommended physical distancing of 2 meters or more.
• When possible, staff, patients, and other individuals should remain 2 meters away from each other within the clinic. Wash or sanitize your hands upon entering the clinic and before you leave. It is also highly recommended to wash your hands again as soon as you get to your home.
• In order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, visitors should be limited to those who are essential (ex. patient only or patient with one legal guardian only).
• Face masks are required when attending the clinic.
• Continue to conduct ongoing regular screening of your health. If you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, please follow the advice of public health officials.