The following guidelines are in place to minimize the risk of SARS-COV-2 transmission to patients, #naturopathic doctors (NDs) and staff.
To Reduce Exposure to NDs and Staff:
• Commonly used surfaces (counters, doors, handles, supplement cabinets etc.) are cleaned throughout the day. The Credit card machine and other items that patients use will be cleaned after each patient visit.
• All rooms have hand sanitizers and/or Germinol for NDs to disinfect surfaces between visits.
• The clinic has the required Protective Personal Equipment (PPEs) (masks and gloves) for clinic use.
• All patients need to be screened when they are called to confirm their appointments.
• All patients are required to bring and wear a mask.
• We have put up signs in both bathrooms to remind people on proper hand-washing technique.
Scheduling Appointments:
• When calling to book an appointment, you will be asked the following screening questions:
o In the past 14 days have you:
▪ Developed any symptoms of acute illness such as cough, fever, or shortness of breath?
▪ Been in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19?
o If the answer is “no”, you may schedule an appointment.
o If the answer is “yes” to any of the questions then a telephone consult with an ND is required to conduct a secondary screening.
o If it is deemed that COVID is likely, you will be advised to call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000
• Patients have the option of having a telephone consult with their ND. Please note, that there are specific situations when an ND will need to see a patient in-person. For example, if any aspect of a physical exam is necessary (i.e., to address symptoms associated with abdominal discomfort, to take blood pressure, etc.) or to assess muscle and joint related concerns.
• Patients have the option to pay by credit card, debit card or by e-transfer. If you chose to pay by e-transfer please send the e-transfer to [email protected]. A security question and password will be provided for e-transfers. The clinic will email the patient their receipt.
• Patients are encouraged to limit the number of people that accompany them to any in-clinic visits.
• Elderly or vulnerable patients will be scheduled at a time that limits their potential exposure to other patients
• We will be increasing the time frame between patient visits to allow time to sanitize treatment rooms and to clean all equipment used between patients and to limit patient exposure to other patients.
To Reduce Exposure To Patients:
• All patients are required to bring and wear a mask.
• All patients are expected to wash their hands when they enter the clinic and we advise you do the same when you leave. Hand Sanitizers are available throughout the clinic.
• You are required to let us know in advance of your visit to the office if you are not feeling well or have a fever. We will ask you to postpone your visit to the office until your symptoms have abated.
• We have a sign posted outside the clinic listing the symptoms of COVID – 19 and advising patients to return home and call the clinic if they are experiencing any of the symptoms listed.
• We have a sign outside the clinic informing patients and delivery personnel only three (3) persons allowed in the clinic waiting area.
• We have reduced the number of chairs in the reception area to allow for social distancing.
• Patient visits will be spread out to limit the number of people in the reception area at any one time.
• NDs will be using PPE (gloves and masks) if doing any procedure that involves touching the patient or if in close proximity to the patient.
• Patients are encouraged to pay over the phone for all pick-up orders. There is a chair outside the clinic to allow for scheduled pickups.
• Dynacare and Life Labs are accepting faxed requisition forms. Therefore, you do not have to come to the clinic just to pick up your requisition, you can just go directly to the lab center.
These guidelines will be evaluated and updated as needed based on updates from the College of Naturopaths Ontario.
615 Davis Drive, Unit 305, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 2R2. Telephone: 905-830-1236, webpage: whyborealis.com