Covid19 New Arrangements for Irish Physical Therapy Centre
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause gastrointestinal and respiratory illness, such as common cold, influenza, SARS, and gastric bugs. In January 2020 in Wuhan province of China, a previously unknown coronavirus was identified. The collection of conditions caused by this novel virus was named Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Unfortunately, it rapidly spread around the globe and the World Health Organisation subsequently declared it as a pandemic.
In Ireland since March 13th there have been severe restrictions to normal life to manage the spread of this condition so that it does not overwhelm our health services. To a large extent this has been successful and so we prepare to enter the next phase in this process which has been described as "The hammer and the Dance", the hammer part is the hardship of the severe restrictions, the dance is where we slowly begin to return to a functioning society. In this process we carefully relax measures and watch how the viral spread responds. This means stepping forward and sometimes stepping backwards, when needed and appropriate.
On March 16th, Gym Plus the place of my practice closed its doors to help reduce transmission of the disease. Now I am preparing to reopen by the recommended reopening date of gyms which is July 20th.
For the safety of my clients and myself and the community, there will be changes to how this works out, I want to outline the changes here.
Making an appointment.
To make an appointment simply call 0871156825, leave an email leona@irishphysicaltherapy.ie or use the message facility on this website. I will get back to you and ask about the following:
Are you suffering from the following?
Persistent cough
Running a temperature
Experiencing flu-like aches and pains
Having difficulty breathing
Experiencing cold-like symptoms
Have you experienced changes in your sense of taste/smell?
Have you been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for Covid19?
How long ago? It must be 14 days without symptoms since you were with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19, before you can attend the centre.
Have you been in an institution where there has been a Covid19 outbreak?
How long ago? It must be 14 days without symptoms since you were with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19, before you can attend the centre.
Depending on how you answer it will decide if you can get an appointment at that time. If you answer yes to any of the above, you must not attend the centre.
The guidelines provided by WHO, that patients shower and change clothes before arriving to any appointment with a health care provider. This is to reduce the risk of unknowingly, carrying any of the virus on clothes or the body into the centre. This will be asked of everyone, to help keep us all safe and healthy.
It is advised that you bring a pack of tissues with you in case you need the tissues for any coughing and sneezing. Remember droplets from eyes, nose, mouth is what carries viruses. It is important that we control the spread of any disease-causing viruses.
It is essential that respiratory hygiene is observed. A tissue must be used when coughing a sneezing and must be disposed of immediately into the trash. Afterwards, you must practice hand hygiene. If you do not have a tissue you must use the corner of your elbow and practice hand- hygiene.
Controlling the risk of transmission.
What to expect at your appointment? Please remember, this is all recommended by WHO to help control the risk of the spread of infections, to help us all improve the health of our community.
When you arrive at Gym Plus, you must keep in mind this is a separate business from me and they may ask questions of their own. You can ask me previously for more information if you require it. However, it will be to ensure the safety of everyone who enters the building. It is not ideal for people to be waiting in the waiting area, so we ask that you arrive at your allocated time. If I am running late, I will send a text to let you know. However, the waiting room will be safely set up to follow recommended guidelines provided by the government. It is a recommendation for everyone’s safety, that no more than 3 people be waiting in the waiting area and must practice social distance.
I will be wearing PPE, as described below.
I will be wearing PPE, as described below.
I will be wearing a face mask and screen or goggles, please do not take offence. If you arrive wearing gloves and a mask, you will be asked to remove them. When you come in you will be asked to sanitize your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub after which you will be given a clean mask, your temperature will be recorded. You must wear the mask for the duration of the appointment. I will instruct you on how to put them on. Once it is on, you need to avoid touching your face. Contaminated masks can be a reservoir for any infectious viruses, so it is important we really try not to touch surfaces or face. And hand that touch the face are contaminated and must be sanitised immediately. It is advised that you bring a pack of tissues with you in case you need the tissues for any coughing and sneezing. Remember droplets from eyes, nose, mouth is what carries viruses. It is important that we control the spread of any disease-causing viruses.
Your appointment will be in the familiar format, during the initial consultation social distancing will be observed, but during the treatment phase, this will not be possible. At this stage it is essential that respiratory hygiene is observed. A tissue must be used when coughing a sneezing and must be disposed of immediately into the trash. Afterwards, you must practice hand hygiene. If you do not have a tissue you must use the corner of your elbow and practice hand- hygiene.
After the appointment and before you leave you will be advised to remove the gloves and mask and dispose of them and apply fresh alcohol-based hand rub.
Other differences
Previously the Clinic provided towels to facilitate draping for the comfort of patients, in the interest of infection control and prevention this will not be possible, we will need you to bring your own towels for this purpose.
In future cash cannot be taken as payment, electronic transactions will be accepted.
We apologise for these changes which are designed to protect our clients and ourselves. As government advice changes, we may have to amend these.
We will however make sure we maintain our usual standards of Integrity, Courtesy and Empathy.
You will be asked to give consent to your treatment and that you understand the risks involved. All the changes are recommendations by WHO and government officials to help control and prevent the transmission of infections. However, you must understand, eliminating risk completely is not possible.
It is the patient’s responsibility to inform their health care work of any changes in their health.For more information about how you can protect yourself and others, the world Health Organisation has some advice here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
If you have any questions about these changes or any other questions about our services, please feel free to get in touch, either via our contact page. Or Leona Bermingham at The Irish Physical Therapy Centre – 0871156825 – leona@irishphysicaltherapy.ie
**Please keep in mind the above protocols could change, as recommendations and guidelines provided by governing bodies, change and update. **