We are excited to announce that we are ready to resume an limited amount of in-person services beginning Thursday, May 7th, 2020!
We have created a comprehensive re-opening plan based on data and best practice:
Phase 1: Preparation
This phase consisted of obtaining adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE: masks, gloves, face shields, gowns) and sanitation supplies (hand sanitizer, virucide, disinfectant). We are increased the quantity of touchless thermometers for screenings. We created new policies and procedures for using PPE, training employees, restricted clinic space, and phasing in employees gradually. We also surveyed select parents on returning in-person services.
Phase 2: Limited In-Person Services Begins May 7th, 2020
See below sections for details.
Phase 3: Increased In-Person Services
The phase includes allowing patients to resume in-person services based on preference, increased quantity of staff returning to clinic, maintaining many of the PPE & sanitizing protocols as phase 2, less restrictions of utilizing clinic space. A date for this phase to begin has not been established.
Phase 4: Primarily In-Person Services
We will resume in-person services in both outpatient and GRHH settings. Our waiting room will re-open and maintain social distance. Staff will be integrated back into the clinic. PPE protocols will be modified as appropriate for the conditions advised by KY government and CDC. A date for this phase to begin has not been established.
Phase 5: Regular Therapy Services
Services will resume as usual. Telehealth will be utilized for outpatient clients to remove the barrier of distance, illness, and schedule as approved by their insurance company. PPE will be utilized per pre-COVID-19 protocols. Socially distancing, and daily screening will have ended. Equpitment will be on regular sanitizing schedules. A date for this phase to begin has not been established.
Phase 2: Who Can Resume In-Person Services
We are prioritizing patients treated through our outpatient setting who have:
- Been unable to participate in Telehealth for a technical reason.
- A clinical need for in-person services. This recommendation will be at the discretion of your therapy provider. Please ask your provider if you are interested in resuming in-person services.
Phase 2: What to Expect
Our waiting room is closed.
- Our front doors will be locked and there will not be a receptionist working at the front desk.
- Your therapy provider will meeting you at the front door.
- Please wait in your car until they are ready for you.
- Please wait for their previous patient to depart from the side walk and/or enter their vehicle before exiting your vehicle to maintain good social distancing.
- Allow your child to independently participate in therapy. We are limiting the quantity of people on our building, so unless it's essential for you to accompany your child in treatment, let them participate independently.
- If you have a transportation concern, please contact client services at 270-688-8449 to make special arrangements.
Screenings
- Every person (clients and staff) with the intention of entering the building will be screened at the door.
- Temperatures will be taken and recorded by a touchless thermometer. All temperatures over 100.4F will not be permitted to participate in therapy and/or enter the building.
- Each person will be asked a services of screening questions as related to COVID-19 symptoms. An adult will need to answer or confirm answers of minors.
Patients & PPE
- All people will remove their shoes upon entering the building. Shoes are a cross contaminant.
- All people must sanitize their hands immediately upon entering the building with hand sanitizer.
- All patients (2yr+) and accompanying adults will be asked to wear masks during treatment.
- Patient masks may be surgical or cloth masks.
- If you have a cloth mask at home, we ask that you bring this mask.
- Here is a video about making a mask.
- Sew version kids mask.
- No sew kids mask.
- Another sew kids mask.
- If your child receives speech therapy, you may consider making them a mask with a clear video of their mouth movements like THIS ONE.
- Don't forget to wash your cloth masks before/after therapy.
- An adult sized surgical mask will be provided for those who do not have access to masks.
- Prepare your child for wearing a mask before your appointment
- Watch videos about masks.
- We Wear Masks by Mike McGovern
- Read social stories.
- Wearing a Mask Social Story by ASERT
- Practice wearing a mask for 30-60 minutes daily.
- You may need to begin practicing with 5 minutes and extend time based on tolerance.
- Use a timer to practice.
- Use a video at a specific length of time to practice.
- If your child refuses to wear a mask, they will not be refused treatment.
- They will continue to be offered to try a mask each visit.
- Keep practicing at home
Staff & PPE
- Our staff will be wearing the following PPE:
- Surgical Masks (cloth masks are not permitted for health care providers to wear)
- Gloves
- Face shields
- No shoes (or designated sanitized work shoes to prevent cross contamination)
- Gowns: These will be at the discretion of the therapist for patients who require a high level of physical interaction.
- Prepare your child for therapists wearing PPE.
- PPE Stations
- The clinic will have two fully stocked PPE stations and patient and client entrances. There will also be several mini stations throughout the clinic.
- All staff will be replacing PPE as needed throughout the day.
- Hand sanitation
- All staff will be sanitizing their hands before/after each glove change.
- All staff are assigned hand sanitizer they will keep on themselves at all times.
- All treatment rooms will be stocked with hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray.
- Treatment rooms and equipment will be sanitized immediately after use by hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray, virucide, UVC etc.
- We have a designated person in the clinic to assist with increased sanitizing protocols.
- Fabric equipment (swings, crash pads etc) will not be used and the ball pit is closed.
- Patients who typically work on feeding in the clinic will have additional clinical considerations about feeding therapy. This will be address through Telehealth when possible during this phase of re-opening.
- Specific areas of the clinic will be limited to only staff (example: kitchen).
- Only two patients will be allowed in the therapy gym at the same time and must socially distance.
- All staff will be practicing social distancing and will continue attending meetings virtually vs in person meetings.
- Staff will gradually transition from remote work to in person work based on the need for in person services.
- Administrative staff will continue to work from home when possible.
- Therapists who have full caseloads through Telehealth will continue to work remotely.
Phase 2: How To Schedule
Please contact us at 270-688-8449 or Contact@TheraTreePeds.com to schedule your appointment.