Lake City Wellness Clinic Policy - Communicable Disease Prevention

May 10, 2023

Purpose: 

The overall aim of these policies is to reduce the risk of communicable disease within our clinic.

• Hand hygiene requirements

• Thorough cleaning protocols

• Optional mask use

• Meeting professional obligations

• Following WorksafeBC, Public Health Officer and CMTBC guidelines and adjusting as needed

Pre-screening/ Communication/ Prior to Arrival 

• Patients will be informed about their responsibilities at the time of booking. They will  be emailed a link to a copy of the Lake City Wellness Clinic Policy - Communicable Disease Prevention. The guidelines will be available on lakecitywellness.ca website for viewing.

• Patients are asked to bring a mask if they would prefer to wear one.

• The therapist will not enter the clinic or do in person treatment if they are sick.

• Patients must commit to understanding that while we’ve taken all possible measures  to minimize risk of viral transmission, the nature of massage therapy means that  physical distancing is not possible in the treatment room.

• Patients who develop even mild illness or symptoms must cancel booked  appointments.

• They will not be charged a late cancellation fee if they cancel due to illness.

Reception Area / Entry into Clinic Space 

• Social distancing will be in effect in all areas of the clinic, 2 meters or 6 feet of space between individuals.  

• The clinic space will remain clutter free to allow for proper cleaning.

• Patients are asked to arrive on time and not early or late for appointments.

Hand Hygiene 

Reception Area / Entry into Clinic Space 

• Upon entering the clinic space the patient must either:  

  • Use the hand sanitizer at the entry of the reception area.

  • Or use the sink to wash hands thoroughly

• The therapist will wash hands thoroughly before and after each patient, and as necessary throughout time spent in the clinic.

• Hand washing protocols will be posted visibly in the reception area and at sinks.

In the Treatment Room 

• Hand sanitizer is available within the treatment room.

• The treatment room will be sanitized thoroughly between patients.

Cleaning

• The therapist is responsible for scheduling time for cleaning and laundry throughout their schedule.

• It is each therapist's responsibility to clean and disinfect their own treatment room and share duties of general clinic disinfecting/cleaning throughout the day.

• Visibly soiled surfaces will be cleaned followed by disinfection with a Canada Health  Approved disinfectant.

• Common areas within the clinic will be cleaned and disinfected at least twice a day.

• All high touch surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected between patients, regardless of  appearances.

• Thermophores or hydrotherapy supplies will only be used if they can be thoroughly sanitized.

• A cleaning schedule checklist will be posted to ensure completion.

• All linens, including blankets and pillow cases are single use only and will be laundered  using high heat, and detergent between each use.

Personal Protective Equipment 

• Masks are optional for patients and therapists.

Informed Consent 

Informed consent requires that the patient  be informed and understands that:

• Any massage therapy treatment involves some risk of communicable disease transmission;

• The therapist is following the clinic policy and CMTBC regulations to help reduce or mitigate risk where possible, but  that risk cannot be reduced to zero;

• The patient consents to the treatment despite some risk;

• And the RMT will get informed written consent at the initial appointment for any change in treatment. For follow up appointments the therapist will comply with the  CMTBC Consent Standard of Practice and obtain verbal consent if anything has changed.  If nothing has changed the therapist will remind the patient to ask questions about  treatment at any time, or to end treatment if at any time the patient feels  uncomfortable.

As we continue to receive guidance from the Provincial Health Officer, WorksafeBC the College of  Massage Therapists of BC and the Registered Massage Therapists Association of BC  processes in this document may change as needed.

Lake City Wellness

202-300 Riverside Drive Penticton, BC V2A 8Y5  

phone 236.422.4633 email info@lakecitywellness.ca