COVID19 Protocols
Our office follows infection control recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the APTA. We continue to closely monitor the recommendations of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.
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In-Office Procedures
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Please arrive in the hallway and social distance until a staff member greets you with your mask on. We ask that you arrive just before your scheduled appointment to minimize waiting time. We are not allowing waiting in the waiting area, per state recommendations. In addition, we ask that only the patient attend visits at this time.
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We will review the symptom screening; this is done prior to the visit for new evaluations and reviewed with regular patients each session.
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We will take your temperature
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After you are screened, you may enter the office for your visit. Please use the provided hand sanitizer.
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You may notice that the magazines are put away and the water fountain is covered for your safety.
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We have moved treatment tables and chairs to be distanced but please be aware as you move around the office
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We will ask you to reapply hand sanitizer or wash your hands prior to using equipment
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What We Are Doing To Protect You
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Per these recommendations, we will continue to:
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We wear a mask at all times
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We may wear a face shield depending on the treatment needed
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We have moved tables and chairs to be distanced
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We wash our hands and/or use hand sanitizer between patients
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We clean all equipment after use and all surfaces used
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We clean countertops, window sills, doorknobs, and common areas once per hour
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We have covered the water fountain to prevent contamination. Please bring your own water bottle if you need it during therapy.
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We are staying current with CDC recommendations for healthcare offices at all times
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Stay Home If You Experience Any Of These Symptoms
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Fever above 100.4 when taken by mouth
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Chills
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Shortness of breath
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New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing (for those with chronic allergic/asthmatic cough a change in their cough from baseline)
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Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
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Sore throat
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New onset of severe headache, especially with fever
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Loss of taste or smell Close Contact/Potential Exposure
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Stay Home & Notify Us If...
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You or any family members are experiencing COVID symptoms and/or are awaiting a test result
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You have had close contact (less than 6 feet for greater than 15 minutes) with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days? If so, you should quarantine for 14 days since your last contact with that person.
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You have traveled into Connecticut from any state listed on the CT Travel Advisory (note the list changes frequently). Please follow all current Travel Advisory guidelines including quarantine for 14 days
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Return To Physical Therapy
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The CDC is currently using a symptom-based strategy for returning after COVID diagnosis or exposure:
You can be around others after:
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10 days since symptoms first appeared and
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24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
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Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving*
*Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation​
Most people do not require testing to decide when they can be around others; however, if your healthcare provider recommends testing, they will let you know when you can resume being around others based on your test results.
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If your healthcare provider recommends a test and you test negative:
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You may return 72 hours after your test and
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72 hours after the resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications
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If You Tested Positive For COVID-19 But Had No Symptoms
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If you continue to have no symptoms, you can be with others after 10 days have passed since you had a positive viral test for COVID-19. Most people do not require testing to decide when they can be around others; however, if your healthcare provider recommends testing, they will let you know when you can resume being around others based on your test results.
If you develop symptoms after testing positive, follow the guidance above for a symptom-based strategy to return
Cold symptoms:
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Less significant cold symptoms need to be addressed using conservative critical decision making and it is often difficult to differentiate between COVID/flu/common cold
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The CDC defines a high percentage of COVID cases including fever and another symptom
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When experiencing cold symptoms, also consider if you have had possible exposure to an individual with COVID
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We will err on the side of caution as preventing infection in the office/studio will allow our facility to stay open versus an infection preventing a temporary shut down
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We recommend calling your physician to triage symptoms and ask that you remain out of the studio until the cause of the symptoms can be determined to the best of your/your physician’s ability. (please notify us)
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