Our COVID-19 SAFETY PLAN

At Hoku Integrated Healthcare we have implemented a COVID-19 safety plan with you and your loved ones in mind. We have devised safety levels of protection that pertain to social distancing in reception areas, instalment of barriers, recognition of new standards of practice required to limit spread of the coronavirus, the wearing of masks, and proper disinfection procedures.

1. First level protection (elimination): Limit the number of people at the workplace and ensure physical distance whenever possible

• We have established and posted an occupancy limit for our premises. Public Health has advised that the prohibition on gatherings refers to “one-time or episodic events” (weddings,public gatherings), and is therefore not intended to apply to workplaces. However, limiting the number of people in a workplace is an important way to ensure physical distancing is maintained. [Public Health has developed guidance for the retail food and grocery store sector  that requires at least 5 square metres of unencumbered floor space per person (workers and customers). This allows for variation depending on the size of the facility, and may be a sensible approach for determining maximum capacity for employers from other sectors that do not have specific guidance on capacity from Public Health.]
• In order to reduce the number of people at the worksite, we have considered work-from-home arrangements, virtual meetings, rescheduling work tasks, and limiting the number of customers and visitors in the workplace.
• We have established and posted occupancy limits  for common areas.
• We have implemented measures to keep workers and others at least 2 metres apart, wherever possible. Options include revising work schedules and reorganizing work tasks.

 

Measures in place

Please note this is the Safety Plan for Hoku Integrated Healthcare only. As Langford Massage Therapy shares the same reception area, we have discussed this in detail and information in the document reflects this. The Plan will adapt according to any new information or guidelines provided by the CTCMA, BCCDC (PHO), and WorkSafe should it become available. 

 

1. Social distancing is to be followed in the reception area. As a distance of 6 feet is to be maintained, a maximum of 3 people are allowed in this area. It should be noted that up to 2 people are most likely to be in this area. Chairs have been removed and signage posted to facilitate this. 

 

2. Acupuncturist is leaving 30 minutes between appointments to minimize the number of people in the reception area, and to allow time for proper disinfection procedures.  Acupuncturist is temporarily not working Tuesdays to reduce congestion. 

 

3.. Social distancing in the treatment area is maintained during intake except for tongue and pulse diagnosis/treatment. 

 

4. Patients are asked to arrive alone unless they require assistance.

 

5. Practitioners ask payments be made by direct billing and e-transfer. Acupuncturist also accepts payment by contactless chip reader.  Receipts will be emailed.

 

6. If a practitioner or patient reports symptoms in the office, they are asked to immediately go home and self monitor and self isolate (if symptoms are mild). They will be advised to report moderate symptoms to the BC Health Authority (call 8-1-1) and their primary healthcare provider and get a COVID-19 test; if symptoms are severe, (wheezing, shortness of breath) they are to seek medical attention immediately by calling 911.

 

7. Patients and practitioners may not attend the clinic if they:

1. Have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat and painful swallowing, stuffy or runny nose, loss of sense of smell, headache, muscle aches, and/or fatigue or loss of appetite)
2. Are fully vaccinated and have had symptom onset/positive COVID test within the previous 5 days;
3. Are not vaccinated/partially vaccinated/have not contracted COVID-19 in the previous 90 days, but have had symptom onset or a positive COVID-19 test in the last 10 days. 
4. For patients/practitioners who have been in close contact* with a confirmed case of COVID-19, fully vaccinated/those who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days but not within the last 10 days, may not need to self isolate. The unvaccinated/have not had a positive COVID-19 test within 90 days but not in the previous 10 days, may need to self isolate for 10 days. 
5. Travellers: For travel outside of Canada, (excluding the USA), all patients/practitioners must show a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival in Canada and be asked to self isolate until they receive a negative test result. All travellers that have travelled internationally must use Arrivecan to submit travel and health details in the last 72 hours before arrival back to Canada. 

 

*A close contact is contact with a person who has tested positive, for more than 15 minutes without PPE. 

 

8. Practitioners and patients screen themselves for the above symptoms and requirements before treatment begins. The BCCDC screening tool is suggested for those who are unsure how to self-screen. 

 

Second level protection (engineering): Barriers and partitions

•  We have installed a barrier where workers can’t keep physically distant from co-workers, customers, or others.
• We have included barrier cleaning in our cleaning protocols.
• We have installed the barrier so it doesn’t introduce other risks to workers (e.g., barriers installed inside a vehicle don’t affect the safe operation of the vehicle).

Measures in place

1. A plexiglass shield is installed on the front desk and is to be sanitized between patients with a Health Canada approved disinfectant

 

2. PPE is worn by everyone who enters the clinic
3. 

 

Third level protection (administrative): Rules and guidelines

•  We have identified rules and guidelines for how workers should conduct themselves.
• We have clearly communicated these rules and guidelines to workers through a combination of training and signage.

Measures in place

1. Practitioners abide by up to date practice standards, recommendations and regulations made by their respective governing bodies (CTCMA, acupuncturist, CMTBC, massage therapist), Government of Canada, Government of BC (via the public health officer), BCCDC, and Worksafe. 

 

2. Practitioners disinfect treatment rooms and common areas (if used) between patients.

 

3. Practitioners perform proper handwashing technique, at a frequency of before and after treating patients AND as required to maintain hand sanitation.

 

4. Practitioners and patients do not socialize in the common room. 

 

5. Practitioners have met and trained in a cohesive COVID-19 plan prior to opening, where modified policies and procedures have been put into place.

 

6. Practitioners (who are fully vaccinated)  stay home and self isolate for 5 days from onset of symptoms or test positive for coronavirus. Practitioners notify each other and their patients who they saw within 2 days before onset of symptoms or period where self-isolation began.

 

7. Handwashing sign, and Help prevent the spread of COVID-19 signs are placed at main entry.

 

See page 3 and page 7 of this document for more details. 

 

Fourth level protection: Using masks (optional measure in addition to other control measures)

• We have reviewed the information on selecting and using masks and instructions on how to use a mask.
• We understand the limitations of masks to protect the wearer from respiratory droplets. We understand that masks should only be considered when other control measures cannot be implemented.
• We have trained workers in the proper use of masks.

Measures in place

1. Face masks are required by everyone who enters the clinic.
2. If a patient (or anyone in the clinic) does not have a mask, it is provided at the clinic (as long as they are available).

 

3. Practitioners are trained in the proper use of masks. Hands are to be washed before donning the mask, and after removing the mask. Hands are also to be touched if they contact the mask. Surgical masks are disposed of at the end of the day. Cloth masks are used once, washed in hot soapy water and placed in the dryer. If used masks are placed on a surface, careful disinfection of that surface is required.

 

4. Face masks are not a substitute for social distancing. 

 

5. If patients are asked to reveal their tongue for diagnostic purposes they are directed to wash their hands with 70% alcohol containing disinfectant before donning mask and after doffing mask.

 

Reduce the risk of surface transmission through effective cleaning and hygiene practices

• We have reviewed the information on cleaning and disinfecting  surfaces.
• Our workplace has enough handwashing facilities on site for all our workers. Handwashing locations are visible and easily accessed.
• We have policies that specify when workers must wash their hands and we have communicated good hygiene practices to workers. Frequent handwashing and good hygiene practices are essential to reduce the spread of the virus. Handwashing  and Cover coughs and sneezes  posters are available at worksafebc.com.
• We have implemented cleaning protocols for all common areas and surfaces — e.g., washrooms, tools, equipment, vehicle interiors, shared tables, desks, light switches, and door handles. This includes the frequency that these items must be cleaned (number of times per day) as well as the timing (before and after shift, after lunch, after use).
• Workers who are cleaning have adequate training and materials.
• We have removed unnecessary tools and equipment to simplify the cleaning process — e.g., coffee makers and shared utensils and plates

Cleaning protocols

1. If surfaces/hands appear soiled they are washed with soap and water before sanitizing. Virox(TM), a Health Canada Approved disinfectant is used to clean surfaces. Sani-Hands(TM), a 70% alcohol hand sanitizer is used in office and a 30 day expiry date is placed on the container once diluted. 

 

2. Practitioners clean common areas (desk, plexiglass shield, door knobs, chair(s), microwave handle/buttons, water dispenser buttons, door knobs) between each respective patient. Common light switches are cleaned at end of the day.

 

3. Practitioners clean their respective treatment rooms (massage table, head rest, chairs, counter tops, supply containers, foot stools, door knobs, handles, light switches, pens, coat hangers, (Acupuncturist-heat lamp, square chip reader) between patients. 

 

4. Cleaning of respective (cell) phones, keyboards occurs at least 3 times a day in morning, lunchtime and before leaving. Garbage is emptied daily by the last person leaving for the day.

 

5. Hands are washed by practitioners (for at least 20 seconds using soap and water or using a disinfectant with 70% alcohol) before treating a patient, after treating a patient, before eating lunch, after using the restroom, after coughing or sneezing into a sleeve, before putting on a face mask, after doffing a face mask, after touching the face, and any other time there is deemed a risk of contamination.

 

6. Hands are washed by patients upon entering the clinic, after using the washroom, after coughing or sneezing, after touching their face, before donning a face mask, after doffing a face mask, upon leaving the clinic, and any other time there is deemed a risk of infection. 

 

7. Practitioners open and close doors for patients when possible.

 

8. Tissues are provided for patients and practitioners for “scratching itchy faces”. Paper towels are available in the rest room to act as a barrier when opening and closing the door. Proper hand washing signs are posted in clinic and at the entrance to the restrooms. 

 

9. Practitioners have removed clutter and unnecessary objects from the office. Bedding is single use only and washed in hot soapy water/dried in dryer. Pillows have plastic covering that can be disinfected. 

 

10. Should a practitioner or patient become ill with COVID-19 a thorough cleaning of all surfaces he/she has touched will be performed immediately upon notification of illness. 

 

11. Cleaning and Disinfectant poster is in the treatment room.

 

 

Document prepared by Angela Berscheid RAc 02183 May 20/20.

Revised Nov 6/20,  Nov 20/20. Jan 2022