COVID-19

Mind How You Go Massage + Wellness is committed to keeping its clients & staff healthy and safe. We follow all health and safety protocols as set forth by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO).

For more information visit:

• https://www.cmto.com/assets/COVID-19-Pandemic-Practice-Guidance-for-Massage-Therapists.pdf

• https://www.cmto.com/whats-new/updated-covid-19-practice-guidance-and-faqs/

Hand Hygiene

RMTs must thoroughly wash their hands (including forearms and elbows) with soap and water between clients. • RMTs must encourage frequent and proper hand hygiene for all people present in the practice environment. RMTs should: o Set up hand washing and sanitization stations o Post signage instructing on proper hand washing techniques o Require everyone, including staff, clients and visitors to wash their hands or sanitize upon arrival o Ensure there are enough supplies within the practice environment for proper hand hygiene, including pump liquid soap in a dispenser, running water, and paper towels. • Alcohol based hand sanitizer approved by Health Canada with 70%-90% alcohol may be used by others in the clinic if soap and water are not available to all. Gloves are not a substitute for proper hand washing.

Cleaning Disinfecting

High-touch surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected at least twice per day, and when visibly soiled. High touch surfaces include: doorknobs, light switches, washrooms including toilet handles, counters, handrails, armrests, and electronics. The treatment room and its equipment must be cleaned and disinfected after each use and between clients. o All equipment must be in good condition (no tears or rips) to allow for proper cleaning and disinfecting. o Pay special attention to the container of topical products (e.g. oil bottle), stool and the massage table. o Clean and disinfect the face cradle after each client. o Change any face cradle cover after each client.

Linens, blankets and pillows must be changed between clients, and washed and dried in the highest heat possible. Linens used by clients should be stored in a closed bag or container with a lid until they are washed. As RMTs are responsible for additional cleaning and disinfecting between clients, clinics may need to allow more time between clients. RMTs must create and maintain records of general infection prevention and control practices they have implemented. These records should reflect the date of and frequency with which the measures were applied. RMTs may choose to retain the infection prevention and control records within their existing equipment record (log), or as a separate record.

Booking

Clients must be screened for risk of COVID-19 before the client comes for their appointment, following the MOH’s COVID-19 Patient Screening Document Guidance and the COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms. If the client does not pass this basic COVID-19 screening, the RMT cannot provide treatment, regardless of the rationale for Massage Therapy treatment. Advise the client that they should self-isolate and complete the online self-assessment tool before calling their primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. This information should be documented in the client health record and the RMT should not treat the client for at least 14 days, until the client is asymptomatic, and has been cleared by their primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario of any concern of COVID-19

The Appointment

A system is in place for clients to wait outside or in their vehicle if possible prior to the appointment. Clients will call or text message when they arrive and will wait until they are cleared to enter the clinic. We maintain a roster of all people entering the space (including their name and phone number) to assist with contact tracing if required, ensuring client confidentially is maintained. In addition to clients, this may include couriers, guardians and support people/workers. This information will be used for contact tracing only, should someone who visited the setting later be diagnosed with COVID-19, and that visitors can refuse to provide their name and telephone number. Clients are asked to wash or sanitize their hands upon arrival and after treatment. RMTs must thoroughly wash their hands (including forearms and elbows) with soap and water before each treatment

After the Appointment RMTs must thoroughly wash their hands (including forearms and elbows) with soap and water after each treatment, and before and after disinfecting. Anything used during the appointment will be cleaned and disinfected. We document all new procedures related to the client in the client health record, including but not limited to screening dates and results, PPE used during treatment and any modifications to treatment.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

RMTs must obtain appropriate training on safely using and disposing of PPE, related to droplet and contact precautions (including at minimum by completing the resources offered by Public Health Ontario’s “Infection Prevention and Control Fundamentals”. If you encounter technical difficulties, please refer to Public Health Ontario’s Online Learning - How Do I Guide) RMTs must wear a surgical/procedure mask (not cloth) during treatment and whenever within two (2) metres of clients. There are three classifications of surgical/procedure masks under American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International Standards (level 1, 2, and 3). Approved surgical/procedure masks of all levels and number of layers are acceptable for use by RMTs. It is best practice for RMTs to change their mask after every client. Masks must be changed whenever wet, damaged or soiled. If an RMT is reusing the same mask between clients, they must ensure the mask is not wet, damaged or soiled. RMTs must wash their hands before and after touching, adjusting, putting on or removing their mask.

Self-monitoring

In addition to self-screening at point of care, RMTs should continuously monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms and not come to work if they: o are feeling ill; o think they were exposed to COVID-19 (for example, by contact with a person or by travel within Canada); or o have returned from travel outside of Canada within the last 14 days. In these cases, the RMT should complete the online self-assessment tool and follow the instructions provided. • If an RMT begins to experience symptoms while at work, the RMT must immediately put on a surgical/procedure mask (if they are not already wearing one), stop providing care, leave work, complete the online self-assessment tool and follow the instructions provided.

If you have questions about our protocols please do not hesitate to contact us at: info@mindhowyougo.ca