Clinic Setting Procedures and Protocols
Exposure Control Plan: Enhanced Disinfection Procedures within clinic setting and treatment room in response to emergence of airborne novel pathogen, COVID-19
This plan is effective May 28, 2020, in accordance to the April 30, 2020: CCAOM Clinic Infection Control Advisory (Council of Colleges Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) and the May 20, 2020 NM Medical Advisory Team (MAT) Assessment. This plan is using best medical judgment for the conditions in the state of New Mexico and for the location/ conditions of the single practitioner practice of Options Acupuncture, LLC.
Note: review and update this Exposure Control Plan annually as per CCAOM and MAT.
Treatment Room Changes
- Continue to use only one treatment room; at least until the Covid-19 pandemic is under control and receding, and eliminate use of the waiting room.
- Remove treatment table covering, using only a sheet when patient is in treatment room.
- The computer remains locked up and not the treatment room
- Only items used during treatment remain on countertop or desk.
Scheduling of Patients as of May 15 when New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham lifted some shelter in place restrictions:
- Pre-screen established patients who have not been seen in two weeks or more verbally by phone, text or email before making an appointment to assess exposure or symptoms of COVID-19.
- Refer patients with possible COVID-19 symptoms to allopathic care.
- Schedule two hour window for each patient, with half-hour between patients for cleaning of clinic setting and prevention of patient physical interaction
- Inform patients that they will be screened upon arrival, and ask that they bring as few loose personal belongings as possible to the appointment.
Patients who can utilize a treatment at Options Acupuncture:
- Patients who have conditions that will worsen without treatment
- Patients who seek support for their immune systems
- Patients who have been receiving treatment at Options Acupuncture, who need to complete a course of treatment
- New patients who are seeking holistic health
Before patients arrive to the Options Acupuncture Office:
- Clean building entry door handles inside and out with disinfectant once daily.
- Clean clinic suite door knobs inside and out with disinfectant once daily.
Before and After Every Patient Visit:
- Treatment room: Clean and disinfect treatment table, needle tray, desk and countertop, chairs, stool, sink, faucets, light switches, hand sanitizer pump handle, patient belongings tub, pens, phone, and any other surface that may have had patient contact.
- Practitioner (Dr. Petty) washes hands often with soap and water at the clinic sink or uses hand sanitizer in accordance to CDC/CCAOM guide lines.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Dr. Petty wears a KN95 (or an equivalent) mask during all stages of patient treatment.
- There is a place for storage of these masks, with a labeled sheet for storage of each mask, Monday, Wednesday, Friday. The masks will have 1 week between usage. Masks are discarded if they become dirty, wet or worn
- When and if KN95 masks are not available, Dr. Petty will wear a surgical mask or shop(paint, etc) N95 mask during all stages of patient treatment.
- Disposable liquid-proof gloves are used by Dr. Petty during cleaning and disinfection of surfaces with disinfectants.
- Disposable liquid-proof gloves are also used by Dr. Petty at times during treatment in accordance to CCAOM guidelines for blood borne pathogens.
- Since Covid-19 is an airborne, not blood-borne pathogen, gloves are not used by Dr. Petty during the normal course of treating patients.
Patient Arrival
- Only the patient is allowed into the office, unless a screened companion is necessary for patient safety. This person can wait in the waiting room if wearing a mask, or in his or her car.
- Before entering the treatment room, an infrared noncontact thermometer is used to take patient temperature from forehead.
- Patient is verbally screened over the phone for signs and symptoms of Covid 19 before the day of treatment, and then asked upon arrival if new symptoms appear.
- Patient washes hands with soap and water at clinic sink before entering treatment room or uses hand sanitizer supplied by Dr Petty.
In the treatment room
- Patient can place personal belongings in a designated tub and hang outer garments on the door hooks.
- Patient can sit in the chair next to the desk, remove his or her mask if necessary, and place mask and loose items in the patient tub.
- Practitioner sits in a chair at least 6 feet away from patient for a shortened interview. Practitioner wears a mask during the whole treatment. Patient is encouraged to do the same.
After the treatment
- Touchless payment is preferred.
