June 24th, 2020

It was a pleasure to be a part of the first phase of reopening announced by the BC Health Ministry last month. The rigorous protocols that we have put into place are now our ‘new normal’ and are running smoothly at the clinic for everyone’s safety. These protocols are in accordance with the recommendations given by the Health Minister and WorkSafeBC, as well as the Osteopathy BC Association to continue to ensure the highest precautions are taken for your health and safety at our clinic. 

It is important that you read and familiarize yourself with these changes before your next appointment to help us maintain a safe environment for all. Thank you in advance for your time it is most appreciated!

First to note, a 3 step pre-screening will be carried out prior to treatment. 
All patients will be asked to complete the BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment tool 
https://www.thrive.health/health-canada-self-assessment-tool
1) upon booking your appointment (check-in with yourself)
2) 24 hours before (I will call you or a survey will be sent to your inbox which will require a response) 
3) upon arrival at the clinic (we will go through it one more time verbally!) 

It is important that you stay home if you;
– Have been outside of BC in the last 14 days.
– Have any of the following symptoms: fever, extreme fatigue, chills, cough, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of smell, or taste. 
– Have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last month or are waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test.
– Have been in contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
– If a recommended quarantine has not been completed.

A new informed consent to osteopathic treatment is required for all patients. This will include a waiver confirming that you understand that while we have taken strict measures and have gone to great effort to minimize the risk of viral transmission in our clinic, the nature of any hands-on treatment means that physical distancing is not possible in the treatment room so a risk is still present.

A discussion of the increased risks for high-risk patients will also be part of the informed consent procedure. Including but not limited to those 70 years old and people who are diabetic, immunosuppressed, undergoing treatment for cancer, suffering from cardiovascular disease, and other conditions.

The therapists will also be screening ourselves daily! 
All Practitioners at the clinic will take their temperature and use the BC COVID-19 self- assessment tool daily and log the results. We will cancel appointments and stay home if experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. 

All treatments will have staggered start times and have at least 15 minutes break in between. This allows time to maximize social distancing, for the practitioner to clean all surfaces in the treatment room and reception after the patient has left and to change clothes and mask. We have introduced a gradual re-entry to practice, to test that the distancing measures put in place are sufficient, before increasing the number of patients/practitioners in the workplace at any one time.

We have a more flexible cancellation policy for COVID-19. Should you find out that you have been exposed to/or have COVID-19 within the normal 48-hour cancellation window, you may phone and cancel with no penalty.

Please arrive on time for your appointment and on your own, unless you are a minor or need physical assistance. If you have arrived at the building early we ask you to wait in your car until close to your treatment time. Please note that the elevators may be slow as a 2 limit capacity has been set to maintain social distancing. Also, there is hand sanitizer at the elevators downstairs for your convenience. 

*** Patients are asked to wear a clean mask (cotton or other) when entering the clinic. If you don’t have one, no worries, we will provide a new mask for you at a 2$ charge. We also ask that you bring clean clothes for your treatment so that you can change out of your street gear. A clean, comfortable pair of shorts and a tank top (ladies) for you to change into is perfect. Please pack some fresh socks to slip on too if you’re in sandels and help us keep the floors clean inside the clinic. 

When you arrive at the clinic you will notice some changes! 
– The Clinic door will be locked and I will come and get you in the hall at your appointment time. This way we can ensure everything is sanitized in the waiting room before you come in.
– Hand sanitizer is available upon entry into the clinic and also in the treatment room, so please indulge and clean your hands. 
– Magazines or anything that is unnecessary or can’t be wiped has been removed from the waiting room. We have replaced the decor with some beautiful blue and yellow COVID posters which also substitute for any interesting magazine reading you may have found in our reception before! They will remind you about social distancing, how to wash your hands, and our new protocols.
– If by chance you do cross paths with someone in our waiting room please maintain 2 meters distance. We have removed chairs and put some fancy vinyl covers on the couch and a chair so that everything can be cleaned thoroughly, although there should be no need to sit since we will be ready and waiting for your arrival!
– Paper towel is also available in the waiting room to use to open doors or handle bathroom keys should you wish. 
– At the end of your treatment, I will accompany you to the exit and open the door for you, so you don’t need to touch another handle. 

Also, just so you know… All practitioners at the clinic are practicing social distancing as much as possible, staggering arrival, departure and break times, and are not sharing any equipment unless necessary to minimize the chances of incidental contact.

We will be cleaning and cleaning! Upon arrival at the clinic and in between patients each practitioner will clean all high touch surfaces: door handles, switches, chairs, clinic surfaces, washroom keys, all equipment, and hand sanitizer bottles. We will wash our hands for a minimum of 20 seconds before and after each treatment and install clean sheets on the disinfected treatment table and new wipeable vinyl pillows. We will be placing all dirty laundry away in a closed laundry bag. We will also open the windows and air out the room whenever possible.

You will only be able to tell that I am smiling to see you by my eyes! 
I will be wearing a clean cotton mask and scrubs that I will be changing between each patient.

With all these extra steps treatment times and pricing have changed. Adult treatments are 75min and 179$ and child treatments 60min and 134$. As much as I would like to, I am not taking new patients at this time as I have a more limited schedule that inhibits accomodating more patients.

We are doing all of this for safety and so that we can continue to be of service for you, dear patients! It is important to note that the return to practice protocol does not require osteopathic practitioners to treat if they individually assess the risk as one they are not prepared to take. The decision to return to practice is a matter of individual judgment and requires following the guidance of our regulatory bodies, associations, WorkSafeBC, and governmental authorities. 

Nice work, you made it to the end of all that! If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to email at osteo@sarahclinton.ca

Even with all these hoops, I am very much looking forward to treating you again! I have hope, that the closer we stick to these guidelines the sooner we will be able to relax them. Fingers crossed! 

Hope to see you soon,
Sarah