Pandemic Policies and Protocols
For release as of April 29th, 2021
Since the current pandemic began, we have all had to make changes to best adapt to the new way we live in the new world. When I finally re-opened in late June of 2020, I adopted new protocols to best address the COVID-19 virus using all of the latest science-based recommendations. The season was both shortened and slower than any other, but there were no transmissions within my practice; a success in my opinion.
As the summer season rapidly approaches in 2021, I would like to take the time to outline the policies and protocols that I have incorporated into my practice. The policies are to facilitate my ability to adhere to the protocols. The protocols are to insure the best precautions are being taken to limit the incidence of exposure to COVID-19 for both myself and my clients.
The policy that is first and foremost, all clients need to be vaccinated. Given the eligibility and availability of vaccination, all clients should be partially vaccinated by June 1, 2021 and fully vaccinated by July 1, 2021. I have been fully vaccinated since the first week of March, 2021. The goal is to establish a fully vaccinated practice by July 1, 2021.
Since moving my practice to the new office, I have only taken the occasional new client, usually by referral. As of July 1, 2021, I will only be taking new clients from vaccinated households of current clients. No referrals otherwise, no exceptions. Although I may consider opening the practice at a future time, it is not in the foreseeable future.
The time required to clean and disinfect the office space between clients has limited the number of sessions that I am able to do on any given day. There are no more instances where I can “squeeze someone in” or do “extra time” without compromising the integrity of my safety protocols. I am unwilling to jeopardize the integrity of the protocols or the safety of my practice in order to do so.
That being said, while I have had a 24 hour cancellation policy since starting my practice, it has become apparent that I need to move to a 48 hour cancellation time frame. Rescheduling any appointment with less than 48 hours notice is the same as a cancellation and the client will be responsible for the session, payment in full will be required. If there is a need to cut the appointment short of the scheduled amount of time, or if you arrive late, the charge will be for the full time scheduled.
In the event of the need to cancel due to a possible exposure to, or symptoms of COVID, there will be no charge. However, a two week pause will need to pass and a negative PCR test presented before booking any subsequent appointment.
Appointment reminders are a courtesy and will be made the day before the scheduled appointment. All reminders will be made via text message, which is the preferred method for scheduling as well.
The protocols that were established last year will remain in place this year. Masks will be required from the time the client exits their car and I meet them at the office entrance to record their temperature. Shoes are to be removed and left in the outer office. Hand washing will be done prior to moving on into the treatment room for the intake. Masks are to remain donned throughout the session and until client exits the office.
All of the aforementioned policies and protocols have been adopted in order to diminish the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for both myself and my clients. I have always taken the most professional approach when it comes to my practice and will continue to do so in the current pandemic. Any deviation from the established policies and protocols would be a compromise that I am unwilling to make. I would ask for my clients to respect all of the policies and protocols outlined in this post.
Acknowledgement of all aforementioned policies and protocols will be required prior to scheduling any appointment. Any previously scheduled appointment after June 1st will require verification of client vaccination prior to confirmation. No appointments will be scheduled after June 1st without verification of client vaccination.
Since the current pandemic began, we have all had to make changes to best adapt to the new way we live in the new world. When I finally re-opened in late June of 2020, I adopted new protocols to best address the COVID-19 virus using all of the latest science-based recommendations. The season was both shortened and slower than any other, but there were no transmissions within my practice; a success in my opinion.
As the summer season rapidly approaches in 2021, I would like to take the time to outline the policies and protocols that I have incorporated into my practice. The policies are to facilitate my ability to adhere to the protocols. The protocols are to insure the best precautions are being taken to limit the incidence of exposure to COVID-19 for both myself and my clients.
The policy that is first and foremost, all clients need to be vaccinated. Given the eligibility and availability of vaccination, all clients should be partially vaccinated by June 1, 2021 and fully vaccinated by July 1, 2021. I have been fully vaccinated since the first week of March, 2021. The goal is to establish a fully vaccinated practice by July 1, 2021.
Since moving my practice to the new office, I have only taken the occasional new client, usually by referral. As of July 1, 2021, I will only be taking new clients from vaccinated households of current clients. No referrals otherwise, no exceptions. Although I may consider opening the practice at a future time, it is not in the foreseeable future.
The time required to clean and disinfect the office space between clients has limited the number of sessions that I am able to do on any given day. There are no more instances where I can “squeeze someone in” or do “extra time” without compromising the integrity of my safety protocols. I am unwilling to jeopardize the integrity of the protocols or the safety of my practice in order to do so.
That being said, while I have had a 24 hour cancellation policy since starting my practice, it has become apparent that I need to move to a 48 hour cancellation time frame. Rescheduling any appointment with less than 48 hours notice is the same as a cancellation and the client will be responsible for the session, payment in full will be required. If there is a need to cut the appointment short of the scheduled amount of time, or if you arrive late, the charge will be for the full time scheduled.
In the event of the need to cancel due to a possible exposure to, or symptoms of COVID, there will be no charge. However, a two week pause will need to pass and a negative PCR test presented before booking any subsequent appointment.
Appointment reminders are a courtesy and will be made the day before the scheduled appointment. All reminders will be made via text message, which is the preferred method for scheduling as well.
The protocols that were established last year will remain in place this year. Masks will be required from the time the client exits their car and I meet them at the office entrance to record their temperature. Shoes are to be removed and left in the outer office. Hand washing will be done prior to moving on into the treatment room for the intake. Masks are to remain donned throughout the session and until client exits the office.
All of the aforementioned policies and protocols have been adopted in order to diminish the risk of exposure to COVID-19 for both myself and my clients. I have always taken the most professional approach when it comes to my practice and will continue to do so in the current pandemic. Any deviation from the established policies and protocols would be a compromise that I am unwilling to make. I would ask for my clients to respect all of the policies and protocols outlined in this post.
Acknowledgement of all aforementioned policies and protocols will be required prior to scheduling any appointment. Any previously scheduled appointment after June 1st will require verification of client vaccination prior to confirmation. No appointments will be scheduled after June 1st without verification of client vaccination.
