COVID-19: Updated Health and Safety Policies and Procedures
**PLEASE BE ADVISED THIS SECTION IS OUT OF DATE AS OF 2022. POLICIES ARE UNDER REVISION WITH THE REMOVAL OF MANDATES.**
The ‘new normal’ looks a little different. As per the amended CMOH Directive #2, OV Mobile Massage has been in a transitional, preparation phase since May 26th, 2020 to ensure that all relevant safety recommendations are carefully reviewed and implemented. With the amended Directive #2, massage therapy services that meet the Ministry's requirements may begin to open. The new directive was amended to reflect the gradual restart of all deferred and non-essential and elective services carried out by health care providers.
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about what OV Mobile Massage is doing to help provide you with the safest massage therapy experience. Recommendations on policies and procedures are changing fast and often, so please check back here for any new updates. OV Mobile Massage follows first and foremost the Ministry of Health and the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, so if there are any discrepancies between this post and their sites, please defer to those authorities.
The ‘new normal’ looks a little different. As per the amended CMOH Directive #2, OV Mobile Massage has been in a transitional, preparation phase since May 26th, 2020 to ensure that all relevant safety recommendations are carefully reviewed and implemented. With the amended Directive #2, massage therapy services that meet the Ministry's requirements may begin to open. The new directive was amended to reflect the gradual restart of all deferred and non-essential and elective services carried out by health care providers.
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about what OV Mobile Massage is doing to help provide you with the safest massage therapy experience. Recommendations on policies and procedures are changing fast and often, so please check back here for any new updates. OV Mobile Massage follows first and foremost the Ministry of Health and the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, so if there are any discrepancies between this post and their sites, please defer to those authorities.
Are you booking in-home treatments?
OV Mobile Massage will begin a soft re-opening the week of June 15, 2020. Appointments will be limited to assess the implementation of the necessary COVID-19 safety measures.
PLEASE READ: What measures are you taking to actively screen clients and protect against COVID-19?
**PLEASE BE ADVISED THIS SECTION IS OUT OF DATE AS OF 2022. POLICIES ARE UNDER REVISION WITH THE REMOVAL OF MANDATES.**
The Ministry of Health has provided a Home and Community Care Providers Guidance document. Based on the Ministry's recommendations, the following health and safety policies and procedures will be implemented effective immediately:
1. A COVID-19 pre-screening tool will be attached to each reminder e-mail 48 hours in advance to all upcoming appointments. This MUST be completed before treatment can commence to ensure adequate safety. This is non-negotiable and reflects the Ministry's obligatory screening guide. The pre-screening tool allows Wesley Gresham, RMT to address any yellow flags in a time sensitive manner. Please note, a paper-copy of the screening tool will be provided prior to treatment to be completed 2 meters away if electronic responses are not provided. Refusal to complete the screening tool will result in cancellation of the appointment with penalty.
As always, all personal health information provided within the screening tool will remain private and confidential and will only be accessed by Wesley Gresham, RMT to review. For more information, please review OV Mobile Massage's Privacy Statement.
2. Upon arrival at all appointments, a no-touch forehead thermometer will be used to document the temperature of the client and Wesley Gresham, RMT. Please note, any fever will result in a suspension of treatment without penalty.
3. Personal protective equipment (PPE) will be utilized by Wesley Gresham, RMT. This includes a mask and safety goggles for droplet precautions. This is in accordance with the guidance document’s recommendations for treatment of appropriately screened individuals within 2 meters.
4. The Ministry has declared that excellent hand hygiene is the most effective means of protecting clients against the transmission of COVID-19. With this recommendation, nitrile medical grade gloves will only be worn at the request of the client.
5. The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario is asking all massage therapists to instruct their clients to wear a clean disposable or reusable mask throughout the treatment. A surgical mask can be provided at the request of the client (PPE permitting).
6. All surfaces that come into contact with Wesley Gresham, RMT will be effectively sanitized upon completion of the appointment using an appropriate disinfecting agent, like Lysol wipes, or equivalent.
7. The cancellation policy will be waived for any cancellations within 24 hours due to fever or respiratory symptoms.
For reference, here is an infographic highlighting the Ministry of Health's recommendations as summarized by the Registered Massage Therapists Association of Ontario, in addition to infection control best practices already implemented by OV Mobile Massage.
What are OV Mobile Massage's infection control policies and procedures?
COVID-19 has brought infection control practices to the forefront of public safety. Rest assured, the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario has always held registered massage therapists accountable to the highest standards of infection control practices as outlined by IPAC Canada. With the amended CMHO Directive #2, OV Mobile Massage is going above and beyond to ensure the safety of all clients. You can expect the following infection control practices to be applied by OV Mobile Massage at every treatment:
Wesley Gresham, RMT has also completed the Infection Prevention and Control Competency Modules developed by IPAC in association with Public Health Ontario. The completion of these competencies are required by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario and Ministry of Health to ensure that all infection control policies and procedures applied by massage therapists meet appropriate safety standards with regards to COVID-19.
Do I have to wear a mask to my appointment?
The Ministry of Health is recommending that you wear a mask in public if you cannot maintain a 2 meter distance from others. The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario is also asking all massage therapists to instruct their clients to wear a clean disposable or reusable mask throughout the treatment. A surgical mask can be provided at the request of the client.
Unsure of how to properly use a mask? Check out these instructional videos provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).
COVID-19 has brought infection control practices to the forefront of public safety. Rest assured, the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario has always held registered massage therapists accountable to the highest standards of infection control practices as outlined by IPAC Canada. With the amended CMHO Directive #2, OV Mobile Massage is going above and beyond to ensure the safety of all clients. You can expect the following infection control practices to be applied by OV Mobile Massage at every treatment:
- All clients will be asked to respect the 2 meter physical distancing recommendation before treatment commences.
- All clients will be asked to open any respective doors or remove any physical barriers within the home.
- After set-up, Wesley Gresham, RMT will practice hand hygiene before wiping down the massage table with an appropriate disinfecting agent. Only after the massage table is disinfected will clean sheets be applied for the client.
- Once the massage table is prepared, Wesley Gresham, RMT will practice hand hygiene before and after treatment commences.
- During clean-up, an appropriate disinfecting agent will be used to clean the massage table and all surfaces that may have come in contact with the therapist.
- Infection control measures taken within the home will be documented within the client's health record.
Wesley Gresham, RMT has also completed the Infection Prevention and Control Competency Modules developed by IPAC in association with Public Health Ontario. The completion of these competencies are required by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario and Ministry of Health to ensure that all infection control policies and procedures applied by massage therapists meet appropriate safety standards with regards to COVID-19.
Do I have to wear a mask to my appointment?
The Ministry of Health is recommending that you wear a mask in public if you cannot maintain a 2 meter distance from others. The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario is also asking all massage therapists to instruct their clients to wear a clean disposable or reusable mask throughout the treatment. A surgical mask can be provided at the request of the client.
Unsure of how to properly use a mask? Check out these instructional videos provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).
|
|
What happens if I screen positive via the COVID-19 screening tool?
A positive screen DOES NOT mean you have COVID-19. It simply means you are at a higher risk of possible infection. It is critical for all health care professionals, including massage therapists, to effectively screen each client in order to assess their risk level upon interaction with that person. This protects the client, the provider and the public from unnecessary exposure.
If a client screens positive, Wesley Gresham, RMT will instruct the client to self-isolate for 14-days and complete the Government of Ontario's COVID-19 self-assessment tool for further recommendation. The client may also call their primary care provider, local public health unit, and/or Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000) for additional recommendations. The upcoming treatment will be cancelled without penalty until proper assessment takes place as per the strict guidelines outlined by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. Please do not go to the hospital unless you are experiencing severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention or upon the recommendation of one of the above authorities.
Moving forward...
Recommendations are changing rapidly, and OV Mobile Massage's priority is to stay up to date with Ministry regulations to keep all clients as safe as possible. OV Mobile Massage welcomes feedback and questions, so please do not hesitate to contact Wesley Gresham, RMT if you have any concerns.
*Updated June 8, 2020 at 9:40 PM regarding COVID-19
**Updated June 10, 2020 at 12:12 PM regarding Infection Control Policies and Procedures