KEEPING THINGS SAFE DURING COVID-19

Integrating Osteopathy is committed to ensuring the safety and health of patients at all times, but even more so during COVID-19. Below is an in-depth list of the various levels of precautions the clinic will be taking at this time, as well as patient expectations and procedures for treatment. We are following the protocol established by OSTCAN (Osteopathy Canada - our regulating Association).
[ Click here for the full OSTCAN COVID-19 detailed protocol. ]

The following protocol minimizes risk of transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 and must be carefully followed. 

COVID-19 Screening

All patients and practitioners must complete a thorough health questionnaire before entering the building and answer truthfully to questions regarding symptoms that could possibly be COVID-19 related. 

All patients and practitioners must be free from COVID-19 symptoms, which include: 

• Fever, cough, shortness of breath
• Flu or cold-like symptoms
• Fatigue, weakness, muscle or body aches
• Headaches, loss of smell, or taste
• Gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting)
• Generally feeling unwell

All patients and practitioners must be free from COVID-19 exposure:

• Must not have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days
• Must not have travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days
• Have not been required to self-monitor or isolate in the past 14 days
Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or has been (potentially) exposed to COVID-19 will not be permitted to enter the clinic facility at this time. If you have an appointment booked and need to reschedule or cancel, or have any questions, please call or email the clinic. 

Patient Expectations

The following is a list of expectations for individuals entering the clinic for treatment. 

• Please do not come to your appointment if you are sick or have experienced cold or flu-like symptoms in the past 14 days, if you are required to self isolate due to travel or exposure to COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Please refer to our screening guidelines above. Practitioners will also screen patients within 24 hours before treatment and document the screening in the patient chart. 

• Please contact to cancel appointments as soon as you are aware that you cannot keep your originally scheduled appointment. Cancellations fees due to symptomatic patients or illness of any kind will be waived at this time. 

• We are asking that patients come to their appointment alone and that anyone accompanying them wait outside the building. Please leave children at home or contact the clinic so we can make appropriate safety arrangements. Young patients may be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

• Patients are required to bring their own mask to wear at all times when in the clinic and throughout the duration of their osteopathic treatment. If patients do not have access to a mask, they will be provided one. 

• Please arrive at the clinic doors no more than 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. If you are early, please wait in the lobby or outside. 

• Upon entry to the clinic, all patients are expected to wash or sanitize their hands with an alcohol based hand sanitizer, which will be provided at the clinic. 

• Please maintain physical distance with staff and others within the space while at the clinic.

• Patients should avoid touching their face with their hands during their appointment. 

• If anyone needs to cough or sneeze at any point, please advise the practitioner as soon as possible and direct it into a tissue or sleeve at the elbow. Sanitization will then be required again. 

Patients are encouraged to pay with non-cash transactions for the time being, where at all possible. 

How We Will Protect You and Ourselves

The following are measures that our practitioners and staff are taking to keep our environment safe. These are the minimum measures and more sanitation will be taking place as well. 

• Practitioners will thoroughly wash their hands immediately for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap before welcoming the patient into the clinic for treatment. 

• Your osteopathic practitioner will wear a mask throughout the duration of your appointment. The mask will be disposable or sanitized between treatments. 

• Following the treatment, the practitioner will disinfect their hands and immediately clean any area used with the patient with disinfectant. This includes any equipment, treatment tables, door handles and any other item used. 

• After sanitizing, practitioners will then thoroughly wash their hands again for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap. 

• Practitioners will have available to them, gloves and surgical masks to be used at their discretion. 

• Deep cleaning with disinfectant in the common area and ‘traffic areas’ will happen during the day at regular intervals and/or as needed and at the end of the day. This includes but is not limited to the reception area, washrooms and other common areas.