Infection Risk Assessment and Mitigation Measures: Overview
Undertaken a risk assessment : 06/06/2020 and updated 05/06/2022. We have assessed our practice for risks outlined and put in additional processes as detailed below
This risk assessment will be under constant review according to the changes in guidance from the Government, UK Health Security Agency, GOsC and iO.
Heightened cleaning regimes:
Clinic rooms will be cleaned between each patient - aired for droplets to settle and cleaning of all contact surfaces.
Hard surfaces in the waiting area to be cleaned after every patient if it has been used.
Increased protection measures:
All waiting area and treatment room furniture can be wiped clean and disinfected.
All linens have been removed from the treatment rooms.
Magazines, leaflets and toy boxes have been removed from the waiting area and treatment rooms.
Signposting infection prevention and control measures and hand-washing / use of sanitiser instructions for patients.
A tray is provided into which patients can place their personal belongings (phone, keys, jewellery etc.) and a box for clothing and shoes during their treatment session
PPE is available for the osteopaths to be worn for all treatments carried out and disposed of appropriately.
Payment can be made by contactless payments whenever possible, protected pin-pad credit/debit card or by BACS transfer.
Hand sanitiser is available in the waiting area and treatment rooms.
Patients will be contacted by phone or by online form for screening Covid-19 risk and vulnerability, if a remote consultation is appropriate this will be organised in preference to a face-to-face treatment.
Patients may choose to wear a face covering. They can use their own, or a face mask can be provided (there will be a £1 surcharge).
As a private enterprise, and in order to balance the interest of the patient in receiving treatment with the risk posed to osteopaths and other patients, we will continue to offer;
a telephone/virtual consultation,
recommend an alternative practitioner or clinic that is able to offer treatment, and/or
refer to GP for access to NHS services.
Osteopaths will consider wearing additional PPE in line with prevailing guidelines.
We reserve the right to take a patient’s temperature, record it and, if concerned, to decline to treat that patient
All practitioners will monitor their own temperature and make a clinical judgment of their fitness to work.
All practitioners will follow prevailing guidelines if they, or any member of their household, develop any symptoms of Covid-19, whether diagnosed or not.
Put in place distancing measures:
Appointment times have been staggered to reduce the number of patients arriving at any one time.
Patients are asked not to arrive early for their appointments, to remain in their car until 5 mins before and ring the Clinic, to be met on arrival in the building.
Patients will be seated at the appropriate distance from the osteopath during health record taking and appropriate distancing will be respected during accompanying patients entering and leaving the building.
Training:
Thorough hand-washing technique as best practice (signage above sinks).
NHS video demonstrating correct technique for donning and doffing PPE.
All new and updated clinic policies and infection measures have been discussed and circulated to all practitioners.
Providing remote / tele-health consultations:
All new and returning patients for their first appointment since March 23rd 2020 will have an online form and/or telephone pre-screening call for discussion of Covid-19 infection risk, vulnerability assessment and appropriateness of a face-to-face appointment.
Where suitable, patients will be offered a remote consultation or telephone support.
(Document last updated: 05/06/2022)