Is it Safe to Go to Occupational Therapy Right Now?
The short answer is “yes.”
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) considers Occupational Therapy services as an essential service, and a March 19, 2020, memorandum from the Department of Homeland Security states that occupational therapy practitioners are critical health care workers.
Many small businesses and occupational therapy clinics are struggling with this question as they face the demands of controlling the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) while continuing to operate safely.
At The Therapy Place, all our practitioners comply with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, Kalamazoo Health and Community Services Department, the Governor of Michigan, and the Michigan Department Health and Human Services Department. Additionally, we have fully implemented facility wide procedures that determine who are essential health care workers and how to protect them and our patients.
We are dedicated to maintaining a clean and safe occupational therapy clinic environment as we all work together against the spread of Covid.
To deliver a healthy treatment experience for our patients and clinicians, we will be adhering to the following protocols:
- Following the current Centers for Disease Control guidelines, including frequent and thorough hand washing throughout the day.
- Observing CDC guidance by requiring clinicians to wear masks and asking patients to wear masks or some other kind of face covering.
- Sterilizing all clinic surfaces with medical-grade disinfectants between patients.
- Screening all patients, clinicians and team members for potential Coronavirus exposure and symptoms.
- Adhering to recommended social-distancing practices throughout the clinic.
- Limiting the number of people in the clinic at any one time.
- Scheduling seniors and other high-risk patients into lower-traffic hours, when possible.
- Implementing temperature checks for patients and caregivers.
- Providing hand sanitizer throughout the clinic.
Occupational Therapy May Play a Role in:
- Reducing the likelihood of hospitalization or readmission;
- Decreasing the likelihood of contractures and joint deformities;
- Improving resistance to infection via activities proven to enhance immunity;
- Combatting disruptions to one’s mood as a result of social isolation;
- Addressing occupational deprivation and helping establish habits, roles, and routines;
- Promoting participation in educational, play, and learning activities in the home or school; and
- Increasing independence.
Our Commitment
Whatever your treatment goals are, it’s our belief that the biggest single factor to aid in recovery is completing the prescribed course of care. Because of this, additional measures may be necessary to protect your health and safety in our clinic. If so, we will update our practices and policies immediately.
Our mission is to enable people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health and prevent or better accommodate illness, injury, or disability to improve their quality of daily living. With this shared commitment, we are continuing to provide the safest levels of care for our clients throughout Southwest Michigan.
If you have questions, please call and speak to one of our therapists at (269) 544-2901 or email us at info@therapyplace.net.
Stay Informed About COVID-19
Make sure you have the latest and most up-to-date information. Review the links below of other healthcare and government organizations: