I have implemented several new policies and procedures based on public health guidelines to keep my patients as safe as possible. These include enhanced COVID-19 screening procedures, increased cleaning and disinfection, altering the clinic space as well as wearing a mask throughout the treatment, while asking patients to do the same. Additional details can be found below.
I have limited in office availability that I reserve for essential in office treatments and necessary physical exams. For those that don’t require in-person visits, I continue to offer virtual care appointments (either telephone or real-time video conferencing). When conducting online video sessions, I use a secure platform through the practice management software "Jane App" that is encrypted and compliant with both the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Our Client Care Team is happy to assist patients in setting up an account in order to receive online video sessions. For more information, please visit: https://www.newrootstherapy.com/online-therapy. If you’re not sure if this is right for you, I offer a 15 min free session to introduce you to the online platform and determine if it's a good fit for you and your health concerns.
I understand that online video sessions will be an adjustment from in-person sessions and our in-person sessions will look a bit different than usual, so I welcome any questions or concerns that you may have. My hope is that, by offering this alternative to meeting in-person, you can stay on track with your health goals and care this time.
Missed sessions with no notice will be subject to our regular cancellation policy: https://www.newrootstherapy.com/fees. However, given the ongoing risk of COVID-19, if you screen positive for any symptoms on the day of the appointment, I ask that you do not come into the clinic and I will waive the cancellation fee.
Stay well!
The health and safety of the patients, staff and health care providers at New Roots Therapy are our top priority. We want to continue to deliver essential care to you, however it is extremely important that we all do our part to limit the spread of COVID-19. Please read the following policies and updates before attending your next in-office appointment.
Attending in-office appointments will look a bit different than usual. Here are key points to review:
1. Wear a mask to your visit, if you do not have one, we will provide you with one for a fee
2. Bring only yourself, a water bottle and essential items to your appointment
3. Stay in your vehicle until you are contacted to enter the office for your appointment
4. Sanitize or wash hands on entering the clinic
5. DO NOT enter the clinic if you are sick; we will be screening on the day of your appointment
6. Payment will remain contactless via credit card or e-transfer
We are employing the following health and safety measures to limit the risk of exposure and transmission of COVID-19 and other illnesses, here at New Roots Therapy:
1) In an effort to maintain proper physical distancing and limit person to person contact, we are limiting the number of individuals in the clinic. This is limited to you as the patient and only essential visitors, who may include:
a) A parent/guardian of a child or youth who is a patient
b) Individuals providing essential support to a patient
c) Please note that these essential visitors must also answer screening questions prior to entering the clinic and follow the policies put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19
d) We kindly ask you to leave any children not being seen for an appointment at home, unless absolutely necessary; we understand that childcare may not be accessible at this time, which is why we also offer the flexibility of telephone or video conferencing appointments. If you have any concerns about this, please phone or email us
e) If you are being driven to your appointment, please ask your driver to remain in the car vs coming in to the clinic
2) Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
a) Please wear a mask to your appointment, if you do not have one, you will be provided with a single-use, disposable surgical/procedure mask on entering the clinic, for a small fee
b) The ND and staff at New Roots Therapy will also be wearing masks
c) The ND will also be using additional PPE for closer contact procedures and treatments. This may include the use of goggles, gown and gloves when performing physical exams, acupuncture, body work, B12 injections, etc
3) Frequent cleaning and disinfection of the treatment room and common areas.
a) All common areas, high touch surfaces and the treatment room are cleaned and disinfected after every appointment
b) Although the bathroom is still available for use and is also regularly cleaned and disinfected, we encourage you to use your bathroom at home before coming to the clinic, to minimize exposure/contact
c) Any supplement bottles purchased will be disinfected prior to the sale
4) Limiting non-essential items in the office.
a) All non-essential items such as magazines, brochures, business cards, etc have been removed from common areas
b) The communal water dispenser and mugs have been removed, so please bring a water bottle from home if needed
c) We ask that you limit the number of items brought to the clinic (e.g. bags, etc) unless they are absolutely necessary
d) All cloth chairs have been removed and replaced with non-porous materials for easy cleaning and disinfection
5) We are staggering appointments to avoid congregation of patients in the waiting room
a) We are also asking you to wait in your car before your appointment, you will be called by your ND or client care team from a private number or texted from the office number when they are ready for you to enter the clinic
6) Payments will be collected via contactless means; payment by credit card phoned in after the appointment or e-transfer after the appointment
7) Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
a) On entering and leaving the clinic you will be required to perform hand hygiene by either washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand rub for at least 20 seconds, (both options are readily available at the clinic)
b) If you are coughing or sneezing, you are asked to turn your face away from others and cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow, then immediately perform hand hygiene
c) Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, face with unwashed hands
8) Regular screening for symptoms of COVID-19
a) You will be screened with a series of questions at the time of booking your appointment and again on entering the clinic for your appointment
i) If you screen positive, you will not be permitted to have your appointment and will be directed to your local public health unit or telehealth for further guidance
(1) If screening positive on the day of the appointment, the cancellation fee will be waived
ii) Please DO NOT come to the clinic if you are experiencing new cold-like symptoms or worsening of chronic conditions (as per screening administered at the time of booking)
Your ND and staff of New Roots Therapy will self-screen at the start of every shift and will monitor how they are feeling throughout the day.
1. Have you had close contact with anyone with an acute respiratory illness or have you travelled outside Ontario in the past 14 days
2. Do you have a confirmed case of COVID-19 or had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days
3. Do you have any of the following symptoms:
a. Fever
b. New onset of cough
c. Worsening chronic cough
d. Shortness of breath
e. Difficulty breathing
f. Sore throat
g. Difficulty swallowing
h. Decrease or loss of sense of taste or smell
i. Chills
j. Headaches
k. Unexplained fatigue/malaise/muscle aches
l. Nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
m. Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
n. Runny nose/nasal congestion without other known cause
4. If you are 70 years of age or older, are you experiencing any of the following symptoms:
a. Delirium
b. Unexplained or increased number of falls
c. Acute functional decline
d. Worsening of chronic conditions
If you answered YES to any of these questions and have not been tested for COVID-19, you must NOT be seen in-person. Immediately isolate yourself, contact the client care team or your ND to defer your appointment and call your local public health unit and/or telehealth (1-866-797-0000) for assessment.
Practice good hygiene! Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds. Do this often, even if your hands are not visibly soiled. Do this after coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, being out, touching anything you don't know is clean. Alcohol based hand rubs (aka hand sanitizer), may be used in between hand washing.
Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow
Avoid touching your face (mouth, nose, eyes) or only do so after thoroughly washing your hands
Clean and disinfect surfaces, especially those that are high-touch (e.g. door knobs, counters, key boards, etc)
Do not share anything that has come into contact with saliva, nose or throat secretions (e.g. straws, cups, cigarettes, toothbrush, eating utensils, etc)
If you are sick, please STAY HOME, even if it is not COVID-19. Stop the unnecessary spread of germs. Avoid sick people.
Practice social distancing - maintain at least 6 feet (2 arms length) between you and anyone else.
Follow credible sources for virus and public health updates
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