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Key Element Acupuncture's Response to Covid-19

Due to COVID-19 there are significant new requirements in place to ensure the health and safety of the community, patients, and staff. Due to these new requirements, I have new protocols in place at Key Element Acupuncture. Here is what I’m doing to make my office a safe place for treatments:

 

Treatment Room:

  • The treatment room is cleaned and disinfected after each patient. Cleaning protocol and checklist initialed and dated by the practitioner

  • Informational posters hung in office: 

    • Hand washing hygiene

    • Cough hygiene

    • Mask wearing hygiene

  • All clean laundry stored in a closed dresser

  • Extra blankets removed

  • Fabric chairs for seating removed and replaced with chairs that can be cleaned

  • Patients notified of the change in procedures

  • Hand sanitation station available for patients

  • PPE available

  • No-touch waste receptacles available

  • Social distancing guidelines between patient and practitioner will be followed before and after treatment

  • All non-essential items removed

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Patient Pre-screening: 

  • Patients will be contacted the day before their appointment and screened for any COVID-19 symptoms they or anyone they have been in contact with may be experiencing.

  • If a patient or anyone the patient is in contact with is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, the in-person appointment will be canceled and a Telehealth appointment will be encouraged. 

  • Patients will be reminded to bring a face mask to their appointment. 

 

Appointment Procedure:

  • Once a patient arrives, the patient will remain in their vehicle or outside until appointment time. Please call or text me at 720-443-2248 to let me know you have arrived and I will let you know when the treatment room is ready for you.

  • Please limit the items you bring with you to your treatment. 

  • Before entering the building: 

    • Patients will be asked about any COVID-19 symptoms they or anyone they are in close contact with may be experiencing. 

    • Temperature will be taken with a non-touch forehead thermometer 

    • Oxygen Saturation level will be read with a Pulse Oximeter

    • Patients will not be permitted into the office without a face mask that covers both their nose and mouth. Cloth face masks are acceptable.

    • Patient must apply hand sanitizer 

  • Patients will be brought directly into the treatment room. 

  • Anyone who has accompanied the patient must remain outside the office. (unless the patient is a child or needs the assistance of the person accompanying them)

  • Social distancing of 6 feet between patient and practitioner will be followed when possible

  • Practitioner will wear either a surgical face mask or KN95 face mask. 

  • Practitioner will wear scrubs that are washed immediately after each day in the clinic, shoes that are easily cleaned, and no jewelry. An extra set of scrubs will be available to change into if needed. 

  • Tissues are provided to patients with a no-touch waste receptacle. 

 

Laundry:

  • Sheets and pillowcases will be changed after each patient. Towels will only be used for one patient

  • Dirty laundry will be stored in a closed laundry hamper and the practitioner will wear gloves when handling dirty laundry. Laundry will be washed daily

  • Clean laundry will be stored in a closed dresser

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Office Decontamination:

  • A cleaning checklist will be followed which lists items to be cleaned and sanitized after each patient/daily/weekly. The checklist will be signed and dated after completion

  • All hard surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected with EPA registered or CDC recommended disinfectant for COVID-19.

    • 4tsp bleach to 1-quart water solution will be sprayed on surfaces and will be allowed to stay wet for at least one minute before wiping. 

  • Frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned after each patient.

    • Treatment table, chairs, desk, dresser, door handles, light switches, hand sanitizer dispenser, bathroom, etc.

  • All surfaces in the treatment room will be disinfected daily

  • All frequently touched surfaces in the office will be disinfected daily

  • Office floors will be disinfected weekly

  • A 30 minute cleaning period will be scheduled between each patient

  • Gloves will be worn while cleaning and disinfecting

 

Social Distancing:

  • Telehealth consultations will be used when possible

  • Patients will wait in their car or outside until the treatment room is ready for them

  • Anyone accompanying the patient will wait outside the office (unless the patient is a minor or needs the assistance of the person accompanying them)

  • Herbs or supplements will be mailed to patients home to avoid unnecessary office visits

  • Patient and practitioner will maintain social distancing of 6 feet whenever possible

  • Practitioner is limiting the number of patients treated per day and scheduling a 30 minute cleaning period between each patient. 

 

Gloves:

  • Gloves will be worn while checking pulses, needling, cupping, etc. 

  • Gloves are single-use and disposable and will be changed between patients

  • Practitioner will wash hands before putting on gloves and after removing gloves.

  • Gloves will be worn to clean and disinfect the treatment room and while clearing dirty laundry

 

Face Mask:

  • Patients will wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth for the duration of their appointment. A handmade cloth face mask is acceptable. 

  • Practitioner is required to wear a surgical mask or a KN95 mask.

  • Face masks will be changed daily. If supplies are limited and the mask is clean, dry, with no visible defects, and hasn’t been touched, the mask can be reused for up to 7 days. 

  • Practitioner mask may be removed between patients when not in contact with others

  • Hands must be washed both before and after putting on a mask or removing it. Mask will only be removed by touching the earpieces.

  • The inside of the mask may not be touched.

  • A mask may be placed inside a paper bag between uses. 

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