COVID-19 Plan & Protocols

Updated January 18, 2022; Created May 21, 2020

RELAX RESTORE REBALANCE MASSAGE THERAPY (RRRMT) SAFETY PLAN FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE WITH RESPECT TO COVID-19

Registered Massage Therapists are directed under the legislation of the government of British Columbia, as well as the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) to mitigate risk by creating a critically thought out plan to return to clinical practice. This plan was created with required guidelines approved by both governing bodies and the recommended practice guidelines provided by the Registered Massage Therapists Association of BC (RMTBC). This plan will change and be updated as the requirements provided by these parties change. The overall aim of this plan and resulting protocols is to reduce the risk of exposure to coronavirus and potential coronavirus transmission, for both patients and RMT within our clinical setting, by outlining:

• Required ongoing self-assessment for signs of COVID-19 related illness in both the patient

and therapist.

• Physical Distancing measures for all non-treatment interactions.

• Hand hygiene requirements

• Avoidance of face touching

• Enhanced cleaning protocols

• Appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Professional Obligations with respect to informed consent & liability insurance

1.0 Self-Assess for symptoms and return when healthy: For patients and Crystal Stauch, RMT

PRE-SCREENING – PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

1.1 A notice of safety procedures that have been implemented, including provisions made for Personal protective Equipment (PPE), that have been implemented due to COVID-19, will be available at https://www.rrrmt.ca/covid-19. There will also be this website reference on the online booking site at https://rrrmt.janeapp.com/ and in email communication. Patients either book appointments via the online booking system or by email and, therefore, will be considered informed about the procedures before or at the time of booking.

1.2 The patient will be required to provide informed consent at their first appointment back during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes patients understanding that while I have taken measures to minimize risk of viral transmission, the nature of massage therapy means that physical distancing is not possible in the treatment room.

1.3 Crystal Stauch, RMT will complete the BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool on treatment days and will cancel appointments if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and will immediately call public health at 8-1-1 and/or her family physician for further direction and testing.

1.4 48 Hours prior to your appointment, you will be emailed a pre-screen in the form of a clinical survey. This pre-screen survey needs to be completed, thoroughly and honestly, at least 24 hours before your appointment time. This will be added to your medical records chart at Relax Restore Rebalance Massage Therapy. The survey will instruct you that you may keep your appointment or to cancel your appointment immediately (no cancellation fee will be charged) and contact 8-1-1 and/or your family physician for further instruction.

1.5 If you are a patient with greater risk: please seek alternatives for care at this time. Massage Therapy treatment will only be provided when both therapist and patient agree that the benefits of massage therapy outweigh the risk to the patient, which includes possible transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19.

1.6 Patients who are health care workers (HCWs) who have been exposed to patients with COVID-19: Please consult the risk assessment tool offered here: BCCDC’s Exposures and return to work for health care workers. If you fall into the No Risk category, you may book your treatment. This risk assessment tool will be performed upon arrival as well.

1.7 Patients who develop even mild illness or symptoms should cancel booked appointments immediately, even without notice (no cancelation fee will be charged). Please also cancel if someone in your household is experiencing any possible COVID-19 symptoms.

SCREENING UPON ARRIVAL

1.8 At every appointment, the patient will be required to complete a COVID-19 screening survey. The RMT will cancel the treatment if the patient does not meet screening criteria.

1.9 The patient will cancel the treatment, at any point, (with no cancelation fee charged) if they do not feel safe, in any way, at the clinic or receiving treatment for any reason. The patient will also ask any questions or ask for any changes that they need to feel safe in order to receive treatment.

2.0 Physical Distancing

RECEPTION / ENTRY

2.1 The clinic area is small and, most of the time, does not allow for 2 metres of distance between RMT and patient. Both RMT and patient will try to keep as much space as possible between them.

2.2 Patient must arrive unaccompanied unless the patient is a minor who requires parent/guardian, or infirm and needs assistance.

2.3 Patients are required to have all forms and screens/surveys complete before entering the clinic.

2.4 Patient may enter the clinic once their at-appointment-time screening survey is complete (this screening is emailed 15 minutes before appointment for you to do in the parking lot before you enter). If the door is still locked, I am still preparing for you.

TREATMENT ROOM

2.5 It is not possible to maintain physical distancing in the treatment room

WASHROOM FOR PATIENT USE

2.6 All contact points in the washroom will be disinfected after every patient use. The washroom has been equipped with a touchless soap dispenser, touchless paper towel dispenser and foot pedal trash can.

2.7 Hand washing protocols are posted in the washroom.

3.0 Hand Hygiene

RECEPTION / ENTRY

3.1 Patient uses hand sanitizer or washes hands upon entry with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, followed by thorough drying – must be done on arrival into and departure from the clinic.

3.2 RMT will wash hands often and when required, using soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds each time.

3.3 Hand-washing protocols are posted in the reception area and at the washroom sink.

3.4 A wireless point of sale system with tap feature is available for payment. Cash is not preferred but may be handled provided that anyone doing so sanitizes their hands immediately afterwards. Receipt will be emailed to patient.

IN THE TREATMENT ROOM

3.5 The RMT will open/close the door before, during, and after the treatment, as required, for her to enter and exit, as needed, using a tissue barrier, and sanitizing hands as appropriate.

3.6 Hand sanitizer and tissues will be made available in the treatment room for RMT and patient use.

3.7 At any time, the patient may ask the therapist to sanitize her hands, any object or surface.

3.8 RMT and patient must sanitize hands before and after treatment.

4.0 Face Touching Avoidance – e.g., avoid touching eyes, mouth, nose

4.1 The reason for ‘no face touching’ is that coronavirus can be spread by touch if a person has used their hand/s to cover a cough or sneeze.

4.2 Tissues will be available in reception, treatment room and washroom. Please use these tissues if you have an itch that needs to be addressed. RMT will do the same.

4.3 RMT will wear a mask that will be changed as recommended. Hands will be sanitized before and after touching a mask.

4.4 Patients will be required to wear a mask at all times. Please wear a mask to your appointment. One will be supplied if you arrive without one. Patients must sanitize hands before and after touching a mask.

4.5 Inter-oral TMJ treatments will not be practiced at this time.

5.0 Enhanced Cleaning

5.1 Visibly soiled surfaces will be cleaned, followed by disinfection.

5.2 All high-touch surfaces in between patient treatments will be cleaned and disinfected, regardless of appearance.

5.3 Linens (including blankets) are single use only, then laundered in hot soapy water.

5.4 All clutter, fabric furnishings and decorations that cannot be sanitized after touch will be removed.

5.5 Frequently cleaned and disinfected items: electronic device keyboards and mice, phones, chairs and desk surfaces.

5.6 The treatment room is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between patients including: patient chair, table, hook and wall surface around patient “corner”. Also, the vinyl covered heating pad, pillows/bolsters, the vinyl covered treatment table, face cradle and floor below face cradle.

5.7 All equipment and supplies such as tools, lotion bottles, hair clips will be cleaned immediately after each patient.

5.8 The Cleaning and Disinfectants for Clinic Settings poster from the BC Centre for Disease Control has been posted in the reception area, washroom for patient use, and treatment room.

5.9 There is a Hepa Air purifier / filter in the reception. It filters air from reception, last used treatment room (treatment rooms are alternated use) and washroom.

6.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and mask use

6.1 RMT will wear a mask that will be changed as recommended. RMT will sanitize hands before and after touching a mask.

6.2 Patients will be required to wear a mask at all times, except for when receiving treatment in prone (face-down). Please wear a mask to your appointment. One will be supplied if you arrive without one. Patients must sanitize hands before and after touching a mask.

6.3 Patients may request the RMT enhance either the patients’ PPE or the therapists’ PPE, at any time. Stock on hand will be: gloves, face masks, safety goggles, and fresh RMT clothing.

7.0 Professional Obligations

7.1 Crystal Stauch, RMT carries professional liability insurance through Wilson M. Beck as provided through the Registered Massage Therapist Association of BC.

7.2 There is No duty or obligation for Crystal Stauch, RMT to practice.

7.3 If a patient reports COVID-19 following treatment and/or alleges they caught COVID-19 from RMT:

7.3(i) The RMT must immediately call public health at 8-1-1, report the alleged transmission, and follow the guidance of public health authorities.

7.3(ii) The RMT must report to their insurer in accordance with the requirements of their insurance policy.

7.4 RMTs have a professional obligation to obtain informed consent to treatment, consistent with CMTBC’s Consent Standard of Practice.

7.4(i) In the current environment of COVID-19 risk, informed consent requires that the patient is informed that:

any massage therapy treatment involves some risk of COVID-19 transmission;
the RMT is following a protocol to reduce or mitigate risk, but that risk cannot be reduced to zero;
the patient consents to treatment despite some risk; and
the RMT documents the patient’s consent.