The following return to work plan has been developed by gathering resources through the Public Health Agency of Canada, WorkSafeBC and the BC Centre for disease Control and Prevention (BCCDC). Here is a couple of quick notes that will further be described as you continue reading along:
✔ commitment to take all preventable measures to ensure the spread of the virus both in practice setting and in personal life is minimal as possible. Commitment to daily self monitoring for symptoms and determine whether working is appropriate.
✔ NEW Covid-19 Consent to Treatment Form emailed out 24 hours prior to scheduled appointment, review and then sign upon arrival of schedules appointment
✔ required mask wearing upon entering and exiting Mission View Medical building as well as duration of treatment for both therapist and client
✔ pre screen questionnaire emailed out 24 hours prior to scheduled appointment
✔ pre screen for symptoms upon arrival
✔ physical distancing in non-treatment scenarios
✔ increased hand hygiene for therapist and client
✔ disinfecting supplies are approved by Health Canada
✔enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes massage table, oil bottles, linens and blankets, doorknobs, counter tops, cell phone, tablet, bathrooms, floors, etc.
Health experts believe that Coronavirus is transmitted via liquid droplets when a person coughs, sneezes or talks within a close proximity. It is believed that the virus spreads when infected droplets reach the eyes, nose or mouth when you are in close contact. It can be spread by touch if a person has used their hands to cover their mouth or nose when they cough or sneeze. That is why it is recommended you cough or sneeze into your elbow, avoid face touching and wash your hands regularly.
Something to consider as we move forward in returning to work and/or some sense of normalcy is that it is important to think ahead about what you can do to stay healthy and prevent the spread of Covid-19 within your community. It is important to note that what you do in your day to day life matters.
• be conscious of the number of places you are going to before and after work and on your days off
• avoid non-essential trips within your community
• do not gather in groups
• limit contact with those at high risk
• go outside to exercise but stay close to home
• practice social distancing (stay at least 2 meters apart) outside of your home to the best of your ability
• all international travel requires an additional 14-day quarantine upon returning to BC that must be strictly adhered to
Every client is screened carefully to reduce the likelihood of someone coming into the clinic with Covid-19. Being aware of the risk factors is important. Clients that have new or emerging symptoms of cold or flu are not treated, and measures are in place to prevent their attendance in the clinic.
Please stay at home if experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19 including but not limited to;
🔸️fever
🔸️chills
🔸️cough
🔸️shortness of breath
🔸️sore throat
🔸️loss of taste/smell/appetite
🔸️unexplained headache/muscle aches/fatigue.
If you experience these symptoms you should contact 8-1-1.
Covid-19 symptoms range from mild to severe and clients need to agree that they will not come for massage therapy if they have ‘just the sniffles’, ‘seasonal allergies’ or ‘just feeling under the weather’, as these may be symptoms of Covid-19.
The public is required to:
• wash your hands often with soap and water especially after you have been in a public place, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• if soap and water are not readily available a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry
• avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• clean and disinfect high touch surfaces frequently
• keep 2 meters or 6 feet apart (social distancing)
Clients need to be particularly mindful of who are at the highest risk of getting very sick:
– over 65
– underlying medical conditions, in particular if not well controlled – – chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
– heart conditions
– immunocompromised
– diabetes
– chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
– liver disease.
➡️ NEW Informed Consent – Any massage therapy treatment involves some risk of Covid-19 transmission. I will be following all protocols to reduce or mitigate, but that risk cannot be reduced to zero. The client must consent to treatment despite some risk. In order for the massage therapy treatment to commence the patient and I must agree that the therapeutic benefit of massage therapy outweighs any potential consequence of treatment.
➡️ Physical distancing measures in reception, RMT and client must maintain 2 meters / 6 feet of distance in clinic areas other than the treatment room, as best as possible. While I am taking measures to minimize risk of viral transmission, the nature of massage therapy means that physical distancing is not possible in the treatment room.
➡️ Hand hygiene and avoidance of face touching for therapist and client, requiring washing of hands upon entry with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, followed by a thorough drying. This must be done first thing on arrival and on departure from the clinic.
➡️Client is required to ARRIVE ON TIME AND IF EARLY TO WAIT IN THEIR CAR AND NOT IN RECEPTION. This allows me sufficient time to finish my disinfecting checklist prior to your arrival. Note that the RECEPTION DOOR will be LOCKED between patients to allow appropriate physical distancing and cleaning.
➡️ Appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Masks are required to be worn upon arrival and exit of Mission View Medical building, as well as the duration of the scheduled appointment in the clinic. BC Public Health has mandated that everyone in BC wear a mask while inside a public space.
➡️ Professional Obligations and Liability Insurance from College of Massage Therapists of BC
Patient alleges they caught COVID-19 from RMT:
🔸️The RMT must 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 must not provide any further massage therapy treatment to anyone until public health has investigated and has provided direction.
🔸️The RMT must immediately self-isolate until the matter has been investigated and public health direction has been provided.
What about asymptomatic spreaders?
This is an unavoidable risk of practice until there is either an effective treatment or an effective vaccine against COVID-19.