This document provides a written record of the heightened infection control measures that this clinic has put into place to ensure the safety of all staff and patients during COVID-19.
Protection of staff and patients before they visit, and during home visits.
I have assessed my practice for risks outlined and put in additional processes as detailed below:
Undertaken a risk assessment 07/01/2022
Heightened cleaning regimes
The portable couch will be cleaned before and after each treatment with sanitising wipes.
Clinical equipment will also be cleaned before and after each treatment with sanitising wipes.
Increased protection measures
No couch covers are used.
Pillows and towels are provided by the patient.
Payment is only accepted by card.
PPE will be worn by the practitioner throughout face to face sessions – apron, gloves and mask.
Patients are requested to wear a mask if possible.
Put in place distancing measures
Distancing will be used where possible – particularly taking the case history. This may be taken by telephone if possible.
Unless a chaperone is required observers of treatment are discouraged. Any additional persons in the treatment room will maintain a 2m distance.
Staff Training
I have undergone training in hand cleansing and safe removal of PPE.
I have also undergone COVID-19 safety training.
Providing remote/ telehealth consultations
I am providing first and follow-up appointments by telephone or video on request.
I have assessed the following areas of risk and put in place the following precautions
Pre-screening for risk before public/patients appointment:
Telehealth – telephone or video case history and telephone support offered.
Triage for COVID symptoms/relatives with COVID – appointment confirmation email and telephone call/text the day before.
Screening:
Information given:
Telehealth options – telephone or video consultation
Offer a chaperone.
Expectations of patient: Wear a mask, provide own towel and pillow, wash hands before session.
All documented in patient notes
Protecting members of staff
PPE will be worn by the practitioner – gloves, apron, mask
A mask will be worn by the patient
Waste will be bagged and left at the home of the patient for disposal.
Wipes will be used to clean all clinical equipment.
If the patient or member of their household is in the clinically vulnerable category every effort will be made to arrange the appointment as the first visit of the clinic session.
Confirmed cases of COVID 19 amongst staff or patients
If a patient reports symptoms of COVID-19 within 3 days of the appointment. The practitioner will be alerted to the onset of symptoms.
The practitioner will self-isolate and test as necessary in line with government guidelines.
Travelling to and from appointments
All appointments will take place at patients homes.
I will travel in my own vehicle.
Entering and exiting homes
Work clothing will be washed after each clinic session.
I will clean my hands with hand gel before entering and upon exiting their home.
Any unnecessary contact with surfaces will be kept to a minimum.
Reception and common areas
There is no reception or common areas as this is a home visit service.
Contactless payment will be used wherever possible.
Social/physical distancing measures in place
Whenever possible the case history will be taken by telephone from the driveway of the patient and typed into the laptop.
Face to face will be limited to the examination and treatment as far as possible.
Face to face consultations (in-clinic room)
No other family in the room unless they are there as chaperones. Any chaperones must wear a mask and remain socially distanced at 2m from the practitioner.
Hygiene measures
Increased sanitisation and cleaning
Alcohol gel will be used for hand cleansing before and after clinic sessions.
Cleanse hands – put on PPE – enter patient home – remove PPE – cleanse hands -leave patient home.
A wipeable bag will be used to carry equipment/belongings one bag for each household – containing waste disposable bags, spare gloves if needed.
Another wipeable bag containing the payment processor and phone and clinical equipment, alcohol gel, wipes and tissues.
The portable couch will be wiped with alcohol wipes before and after each treatment.
All effort will be made to minimise contact of the practitioner with any unnecessary surfaces/handles within the patient home.
Patients will be asked to wash or sanitise hands before and after treatment.
Aeration of rooms
If possible and appropriate for confidentiality it is encouraged to keep the room ventilated with windows/doors open.
Staff hand hygiene measures
Staff will be bare below the elbow and use PPE and hand hygiene procedures as outlined above.
Respiratory and cough hygiene
The practitioner will have tissues for single use and disposal for personal use as needed.
Cleaning rota/regimes
The couch and any equipment used will be cleaned after each patient visit.
Personal Protective Equipment
Clinicians will wear the following PPE
The practitioner will wear a single-use plastic apron, fluid-resistant surgical mask and single-use gloves with each patient.
If the patient may be coughing or sneezing a visor will be available for use.
When will PPE be replaced
The apron, gloves and mask will be disposed of at the home of each patient.
Patients will be asked to wear the following PPE
Fluid-resistant surgical masks or cloth masks will be worn by patients unless they have a particular health condition that excludes them from wearing a face covering.
PPE disposal
PPE, wipes and tissues will be bagged and left with the patient for disposal.
Communicating with Patients
Publishing your updated clinic policy
The policy will be shared with patients on the database and with new patients when they register. It will also be made available on the website.
It will initially be shared in a newsletter and on the website and then with each appointment confirmation email.
It will be available on request as well.
Information on how you have adapted practice to mitigate risk
Hygiene and consultation practices have been modified to take account of the latest government and profession-specific guidance. This will be updated in line with any new guidelines published.
Pre-appointment screening
A form is sent to patients before a scheduled appointment.
Other patient communications
All information will be communicated in a practice email to patients.
Patients will be asked to contact me if they develop symptoms within 3 days of the treatment.