Risk Assessment and Screening

• Patients and any support persons will be screened for risk of COVID-19 prior to face-to-face consultations.
• Patients will be screened when booking the appointment and then re-screened when they arrive at the clinic. See flowchart here.
• When making an appointment for a face-to-face consultation, patients will be advised that if they do develop symptoms between booking and attending their consultation, they must call to cancel the face-to-face consultation and seek medical advice.
• Patient clinical records will be documented with the clinical decision on whether to see a patient face to face or otherwise.

 
Clinic Preparation:

• Cleaning materials and PPE sourced and in stock at the clinic.
• Cleaning plan developed and implemented.
• All physiotherapists and support staff retrained in new clinic procedures and all procedures provided to them.
• All staff double vaccinated.
• Patient and required support person and those in their bubble whanau screened for COVID-19 signs or symptoms by phone or telehealth prior to offering a consultation in the clinic. See flowchart here
• When making an appointment, patients ill be given clear instructions regarding where to come, what to expect when they arrive, and how things differ from their usual visits.
• QR code displayed for scanning.
• Appropriate PPE is in place ready to be used (all staff to be retrained as above).
• Limit points of entry to the clinic.
• All unnecessary items removed from the waiting room and surfaces kept clear and clean, including excessive furniture, waste bins, water coolers etc.
• Areas of known contamination cleaned and disinfected regularly.
• No walk-in appointments off the street are available.
• Surcharge payment will be paid via PayWave at time of consultation.

Physio Preparation

• All physiotherapists and support staff retrained in new clinic procedures and all procedures provided to them.
• Patient and required support person and those in their bubble whanau screened for COVID-19 signs or symptoms by phone or telehealth prior to offering a consultation in the clinic. See flowchart here
• When making an appointment give clear instructions to patients regarding where to come, what to expect when they arrive, and how things differ from their usual visits.
• Areas of known contamination will be cleaned and disinfected.
• Patient is considered for Telehealth and used if more appropriate.
• Patient have been screened with Covid exposure questionnaire which has come back as NO for all questions.​

 
Process during visit

• Physio is expecting the patient and the patient is advised to call reception to advise that they have arrived. Patient will wait in their car until being collected by their physio.
• Physio will go outside to patients car and will ask patient (and if required support person and bubble whanau) COVID exposure questions at the car prior to entry to clinic.
• If visiting a patient at place of residence, physio will scan in using the QR code or record your visit details within your management system.
• Require patient, and others, to scan QR code and hand sanitise on arrival and sanitise on departure from the clinic.
• Physiotherapists fill out any paperwork and forms for the patient (sign with cleaned pen) – if possible, use contactless methods.
• If possible, allow only the patient to be present for the consultation.
• Confirm contact details for the patient and each person accompanying the patient and inform them that these details may be used for contact tracing, if required.
• Maintain physical distancing where possible, for instance, during the subjective examination.
• Follow PPE protocol as advised by the Ministry of Health – both physio and patient to wear masks.
• Minimise close contact time.
• Follow all hand and hygiene practices.
• Keep doors and windows open, ventilation systems on (to the clinic, treatment doors if possible).
• Clinic toilet CLOSED to patients Patients advised when making the appointment.
• Minimise the use of equipment such as pillows for instance, which are not easy to clean or replace. Alternatively use single use coverings for the pillows and plinths such as towels or paper towels.

 
Process Post Visit

• Clean all equipment, pillows, and plinths after each patient contact.
• Clean keyboard, mouse, and computer screens after each patient contact.
• Carry out correct steps for safe removal and disposal of PPE.
• Follow cleaning protocol – wiping down all hard surfaces with detergent and hot water and then use a disinfectant.
• Appropriate PPE should be worn for cleaning the room.
• PPE and waste should be disposed in a closed clinical waste bin and in accordance with clinical waste requirements.
• Ventilate room.

 
End of shift

• Physiotherapist showers at home, cleans the shower before contacting anyone in their home bubble whānau and hot washes their clothes and towels etc.
• Physiotherapist leaves clinic through different doors if possible (the clean side of clinic).
• Ensure door handles, keys and high touch surfaces are cleaned before leaving.