last updated 11/10/22
For the health and safety of myself and all patients who come to anatomy acupuncture the following are the measures I’m taking to reduce your risk of COVID-19 as much as possible and what is required of you when you come in for an appointment.
MASKS:
For me: I wear a KN95/N95 level mask at all times in the clinic.
While the indoor mask mandate has been lifted for indoor spaces in Oregon, it DOES NOT APPLY to healthcare settings. You are still required to wear a mask at all times in the clinic. Please bring one that allows you to breathe as comfortably as possible while face down – if you forget yours, a disposable surgical mask will be provided for you.
For you: You are required to wear a mask at all times while you’re in the clinic regardless of vaccination status. Yes, even when you are face-down on the table. The virus that causes COVID-19 is shown to have aerosol spreading properties, and keeping your mask on is essential to help mitigate the aerosol risk. I understand it’s no one’s favorite to be face down on a treatment table with a mask (I do it, too, to receive treatment) however, the risk to me (I have to be in this small room, without continuous outside ventilation, close to patients, many hours a day), the risk to you, and to my other patients (aerosols have been shown to linger in the air for many hours) is significantly increased if you don’t. If you have trouble breathing while face-down please let me know – there are some adjustments I can make to the headrest that may help, and/or we can proceed with face-up treatment only, but continue to keep your mask over your nose and mouth at all times.
Due to the prevalence of highly contagious variants I recommend wearing a higher-grade mask (n95/kn95/kf94 styles) if you have access to one – this provides better protection for those around you (a better sealed mask with fewer air leaks) and some protection for you as well. However, any mask that fits properly and remains over your nose and mouth is all that’s required.
If at this time you cannot wear a mask over your nose and mouth for the duration of your visit (including while face down on the table), I respectfully ask that you do not make an appointment.
VACCINATION:
For me: I am fully vaccinated – I received my 2nd dose of the pfizer vaccine on Feb 9 2021. I also received a booster dose of the pfizer covid vaccine and this season’s flu vaccine on Oct 11, 2021. I received my bivalent booster from moderna on Oct 24, 2022, and this season’s flu shot on Nov 2, 2022.
For you: I do not require you to be vaccinated and I will not ask for your vaccination status or proof of vaccination at your appointment. However, if you are able to get vaccinated I would be so grateful if you did so for your safety, my safety, and the safety of all my other patients (some of whom are immunocompromised, some of whom have children who cannot be vaccinated at this time).
TESTING:
For me: I get tested for COVID-19 regularly to ensure I am providing as low risk an environment as possible for my patients. If I have any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or known exposure I will cancel appointments and isolate while I wait to get tested and will not resume seeing patients unless I have negative test results and/or have isolated for the recommended 14 day period. Additionally if I am in a higher risk situation I will get tested and receive a negative result prior to seeing patients.
For you: If you have been in a higher risk situation (such as air travel, group gatherings, etc) please get tested and receive a negative result before coming in for an appointment. Below are some resources for testing in the Portland area. At this time rapid home tests are also available for purchase at most pharmacies and can be useful to keep on hand for these scenarios.
If you are experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 or have had any known exposure, please isolate and get tested when it’s appropriate (usually 3-5 days after exposure) and obtain a negative test result prior to coming to an appointment.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or if you were a close contact of someone with COVID-19, you should get tested regardless of your vaccination status. Close contact means being within six feet of someone for 15 minutes or more over the course of a day, with or without a mask or face covering.
HAND HYGIENE:
For me: I wash my hands thoroughly with hot running water and soap each time before entering and after leaving the treatment room, and often throughout the day. I also use alcohol wipes on my hands frequently while in the treatment room.
For you: There is hand sanitizer provided for you around the clinic (in the waiting area, at the front desk, and in the treatment room), and sinks are available if you’d prefer to wash your hands with soap and water.
CLINIC PROCEDURES:
Currently patients are scheduled with 30 minutes between each appointment in order to allow time for thorough cleaning and ventilation of the space.
Patients are sent a pre-visit COVID screening questionnaire prior to each appointment – please fill this out. Please note that a ‘yes’ answer does not automatically disqualify you from treatment, it is required for contact tracing purposes and just may mean some follow-up information is needed.
Patients will no longer receive a temperature check, however if you are feeling feverish – please reschedule your appointment.
A medical grade HEPA filter is running at all times in the treatment room and is turned up between appointments to increase the air clearance of the space. When possible, doors to outside are opened between appointments as well to further ventilate the space.
Between each patient appointment surfaces are wiped with a hospital grade germicidal agent approved for use against SARS-COV2, including but not limited to the table, face cradle, headrest, armrest, bench, door handles, front desk, ipad (for payments) and any other touch points.
Table sheets are changed with each patient (always), and an additional disposable single use face cradle cover is used over the cloth face cradle cover (also replaced between patients). Sheets are laundered at a commercial facility with high temperature washing.
Thank you for abiding by all the above policies and helping keep our community as safe and healthy as possible. It takes all of us and I truly appreciate it.
-Alexis
If you have any other questions related to COVID procedures/policies please send me an email at: alexis@anatomyacupuncture.com
