ATTENTION to the patients/clients/public and those participating in PTN’s physical therapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, and personal training services in Cranberry Township PA, Fox Chapel PA, and Strip District/Lawrenceville PA, locations.
Please read our preparation and commitment to the public, our patients/clients, and our staff and all of our families.
Please read this post carefully, even if you are not a current patient of our clinic.
The physical therapy team is here to assist the wider community through this time, and will remain open. Plans have been put in place for continuity of patient care, and a number of scenarios planned for in case of Federal, State or Health Department directives which may come in the coming weeks and months.
Pain doesn’t take a holiday, and can increase with stress and anxiety. We have you covered.
The good news is that people attend our clinic because they are in pain and have mobility issues, not because they are sick.
Current advice is that the risk of transmission of the Coronavirus is small when receiving physical therapy treatment, provided all patients read the below advice and act upon it. Our team within all of out clinics are obsessed with getting this right! We all have a role to play here.
I understand that some may be anxious about attending treatment, so I thought I would answer some questions you may have.
What have we done, and are continually doing to Combat the Virus and keep Staff and Patients safe?
We have stepped up our already rigorous cleaning efforts and have put in place enhanced cleaning measures and processes for the health and safety of everyone within our clinic.
I have advised my staff about their responsibilities both at the clinic and away from the clinic, to remain healthy. I have advised them that if they are in any way feeling unwell, to stay home.
The virus is most effectively combated by hand-washing with soap for 20 seconds and frequent cleaning of surfaces, so you should add this to your routine immediately, as we always have done and will continue to do. The virus is surrounded by a layer of fat, and breaks down with soap, detergents and alcohol-based solutions.
What we expect of you:
When you enter any one of our clinics you will be expected to immediately wash your hands before and after treatment.
During treatment our staff has been trained to take extra precautions to minimize contact. This will not affect your overall continued high standard of treatment.
I am not sure if I should attend treatment. What should I do?
We ask you to be upfront and honest about your travel history, and potential exposure, to ensure that all staff and patients (especially our elderly and immunocompromised patients) remain healthy.
This does not mean that you will be unable to be treated, it just means that everyone is aware of any precautions that may need to be taken, including treatment positioning (ie treating you face down instead of face up), or techniques used.
If you have travelled Overseas in the past 14 days, AND you are exhibiting flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, excessive runny nose, shortness of breath) – please call us and do not attend your appointment. Please seek medical advice which may include getting tested for COVID-19.
If you have just arrived back from China, Iran, South Korea or Italy, you should self-quarantine for 14 days as per Centers for Disease Control advice.
If you have had known close contact with a person with COVID-19, do not attend your appointment. Please self-isolate for 14 days as per Centers for Disease Control advice.
If you have arrived from overseas in the past 14 days, but are NOT showing symptoms, please advise us via telephone before you arrive at our clinic.
If you are not a returned traveller, nor had contact with COVID-19:
· Current advice is that you are safe. Person-to-person transmission in the community is not yet posing an issue, but this could change rapidly so keep updated with current Federal and State Government advice.
· If you are feeling unwell in any way, please contact us for advice about whether you should attend your appointment. If you have a fever, cough, excessive runny nose or shortness of breath, then you will be advised to not attend your appointment and we will reschedule you when you are felling better.
What’s next?
As physical therapists we are here to help! We are part of a team of medical health professionals who are part of the solution of overcoming this problem.
In Conclusion…
We will continue to keep you informed during this uncertain time.
I am not a virologist nor medical doctor, so I am heeding the advice of the experts on what needs to be done to be most helpful at this time. All of the above is from the advice of experts. You should listen and act upon their advice too.
Please ask our Staff any questions you may have about the Coronavirus, including ways to keep you and your family healthy in the upcoming months. We are here to help.
Michael Ricchiuto MPT, EMT-P
Founder Physical Therapy Now
