Spring Life Acupuncture & Healing

Safety Practices

PATIENT INTERACTIONS

 Pre-Screening: Ask the Patient during appointment reminder calls if they are suffering from any COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell. Reschedule the Patient’s appointment for a later date if they are exhibiting any respiratory symptoms, or symptoms which could be attributable to COVID-19. You may ask the patient about any international or domestic travel within the last 14 days. 

 Re-scheduling: Encourage Patients to be forthcoming about their health condition by eliminating penalties for last-minute cancellations or missed appointments. Even mildly ill patients should be encouraged to stay home and contact their physician for further guidance.

 Check-In Practices: Each Patient and Personnel member should sanitize their hands prior to participating in check-in procedures.

 Ensure each Patient (and accompanying Non-Patient) is wearing a mask while interacting with check-in Office staff.

 Measure the temperature of each Patient and Non-Patient with a contact-less thermometer at check-in.

 Sanitize all commonly-used objects such as pens, smart screens following each check-in.

 Passive Patient Screening: Screen Patients for COVID-19 symptoms, or symptoms of respiratory illness, before the Patient enters the treatment area. If a Patient presents with suspected symptoms of COVID-19, or respiratory illness, isolate them immediately, provide a mask (if one is not in use), and consult county health department guidelines to refer the Patient to an appropriate treatment site.

 Active Patient Screening: Question the Patient about recent travel and potential exposure to COVID19. Further question the Patient about whether they are suffering from a cough, respiratory symptoms, or any other COVID-19 symptoms. Document the Patient’s chart with notes describing the questioning to show you have diligently screened each Patient.  COVID-19 Risk Informed Consent: Ensure each Patient reviews, initials, and signs the COVID-19 Risk Informed Consent. To reduce waiting room crowding, e-mail intake documentation, including the COVID-19 Risk Informed Consent, to patients so they can bring completed forms to their appointment.  

FACILITY SAFETY

 Surface Sanitization Practices – Work Stations: Regular sanitization of work stations by making cleaning products and sanitizing wipes available to all employees.

 Surface Sanitization Practices – Patient Areas: Disinfect all Patient areas between Patient appointments. In addition to treatment tables, all therapeutic equipment, counter tops, chairs, door handles, clipboards, and garment hooks should be disinfected prior to and following each treatment. Consider steam-mopping office floors daily.

 Daily Disinfection: Ensure the Office is disinfected prior to opening and after closing on a daily basis. Encourage and compensate Personnel to arrive early to ensure disinfection is complete prior to Office opening.

 Food & Drink: Food and drink are prohibited in the office. Discontinue self-serving water to Patients.