COVID-19

ABC Pediatric Therapy Families,

 

This message is intended to inform our families about how we are addressing COVID-19 in the context of keeping children and families safe while receiving therapeutic treatment. The health and well being of children and families in our community is of the highest importance; after all, that is why we are here in the first place!

Information regarding the prevalence of COVID-19 is frequently changing. We have assessed and continue to monitor the situation daily, if not hourly. At this time we have determined that it is safe and in the best interest of the families we serve to continue to provide services at ABC with enhanced precautions.

ABC Pediatric Therapy ‘s Enhanced Precautions:

Our staff has been taking extra precautions to keep clients, families, and our staff healthy in our treatment and waiting rooms.

The following policies will be followed as we re-open our clinics:

– Everyone will be screened and temperatures taken before entering the treatment space
o Must not exhibit any sings of any contagious illness
o Must be symptom free of any illness for 24 hours without medication
o Must not have had contact with anyone who has been diagnoses with COVID-19 in the past 14 days.

– We will be limiting the number of people in the clinic at a time
o Only 1 parent will be permitted to accompany their child to the session
o Only a certain number of therapists will be treating each day
o Administrative staff will continue to work from home

– Therapists will wear a mask, with the only exception being to demonstrate speech sounds. In this case, they will use  a face shield or behind a plexiglass barrier

– Parents are asked to wear a mask if they have one.

– If a child has a mask and tolerates it, please have them wear it to the session. Children under the age of 2 and those who are unable to take off the mask independently should not wear a mask. If your child does not tolerate wearing mask, it is okay. They will still be seen and we will take extra precautions.

– Everyone who enters must wash hands or use hand sanitizer

– No shared treatment space – only one child per designated treatment space (example – one child on jungle gym at a time)

– Signs will be posted to inform therapists if an area is in use or clean.

– Waiting rooms are closed. If you do not join your child for their session, then you will be asked to wait in your car. Your therapist will bring your child to your car after the session.

– Traffic flow – doors will be marked for enter and exiting to allow social distancing.

– Signs will be posted to remind families to social distance.

– Foam pits will remain closed and any items that cannot be disinfected easily will be removed from the clinic

– Therapist will disinfect items after each use throughout the session

• All patients will wash hands when arriving, prior to entering treatment spaces.
• Hand sanitizer will be made available in the waiting area.
• Both clinicians and children will utilize hand sanitizer upon entering and exiting the treatment area.
  • If you have a preferred hand sanitizer due to skin sensitivity, please bring this with you.
• For children who have difficulty with hand washing, this will be a prioritized goal for them. Hand washing is a daily life skill addressed by Occupational Therapy and is especially important during times of health concern.
• Staff is reminding patients to avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouths during sessions.
• Our staff is cleaning AND disinfecting frequently touched surfaces / toys during and in between treatment sessions. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, pens, handles, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• Our clinic is already professionally cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis. An increased priority will be made to disinfect all surfaces in the clinic.
• High five, hugs, and handshake alternatives: How about an elbow bump, thumbs up or a “raise the roof” instead?

 

Families’ Precautions:

• Caregivers can model and encourage the use of covering mouths and noses with a tissue when you/your child coughs / sneezes or use the inside of the elbow.
• Throw used tissues in the trash immediately after use as and dispose of garbage promptly.
• Do not bring or consume food / drinks in the waiting area.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the restroom.
  • Pro Tip: Sing the ABC’s all the way through!
• Avoid touching your or your child’s face.
• Face masks:
  • The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory disease, including COVID-19. Face masks will not prevent COVID-19 as it is not an airborne virus. However, masks can remind you not to touch your face and you are welcome to wear them.
  • Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 (see below).
• If you choose, you may wear latex, nitrile, or vinyl gloves. This is an effective precaution, as COVID-19 is transmitted through contact.

 

Attendance:

Currently, the CDC recommends that if a person has a fever or respiratory symptoms such as a cough or shortness of breath AND has traveled to an affected geographic area, OR had direct contact with someone with COVID-19 to not come into the office and call your medical provider immediately for further instructions.

 

Please notify our office immediately if you, your child, or an immediate family member have:

• Traveled to an affected country outside of the USA; identified by the CDC and/or WHO.
• Been directly exposed to COVID-19 and are under a self-quarantine due to this exposure.
• A confirmed case of COVID-19.

Please keep in mind that we have a cancellation policy to cancel your appointment 24 hours in advance. Please do not bring a sick child to therapy. A child must be symptom free 24 hours before resuming therapy sessions. This includes fever (100.4 degrees or over), pink eye, lice, or diarrhea. Please provide a doctors excuse for cancellations due to illness. If you should have a question regarding this policy, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Please note that during this time we will be doing our best to make accommodations for rescheduling make-up sessions.

 

COVID-19 Symptoms:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

 

Reported illnesses for confirmed COVID-19 cases have a range of severity. Most reported cases are mild symptoms. In approximately 16% of cases, at risk populations exhibited severe symptoms. At risk populations are people 80+ years old, those with pre-existing fragilities, and serious medical conditions such as lung disease and heart disease.

 

Ample data indicates that healthy individuals do NOT need to fear COVID-19 as symptoms are typically mild for people with an able immune system.

 

More Information about COVID-19:

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, caused by a new strand of coronavirus first identified in China in 2019. On March 11, 2020, The World Health Organization classified COVID-19 as a pandemic. As of March 11, 2020 there are 3 confirmed cases in Ohio.

 

See the latest information from:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• The World Health Organization 

 

 

In the Case of School Closures:

We have created a comprehensive plan which includes remaining open during school closures. We are committed to providing the best care for your child and your family. Therapeutic treatment is most effective in person and when provided consistently. We will continue to mitigate risk exposure and will make decisions about the safety of our therapists and client community based on the facts presented. During this time alternative intervention settings may be offered. We will update you immediately and as often as necessary regarding changes to our procedures or operations.