News
As Ontario continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases, the College has received calls from physiotherapists working in primary care, private practice clinics who have been advised of exposure to a patient who tested COVID-19 positive.
If you are advised of a potential exposure to COVID-19 you should immediately contact your local Public Health Unit for advice on the next steps you should take. See a complete list of Public Health Units. Be prepared to answer questions around when you saw the patient, for how long and what personal protective equipment (PPE) was worn.
The pandemic is an ever-evolving situation, and this is the first time PTs are working with patients in out-patient settings as the infection rate is on the rise. We would like to remind physiotherapists and others that wearing appropriate PPE is only one element in the prevention of viral transmission and should be used alongside additional precautions to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
As outlined in the College’s return to work guidance and the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart document, PTs should consider the following infection control measures:
- Conduct active screening of the patient at the time of booking and on the day of appointment
- Wash your hands with soap or use a Health Canada approved sanitizer before and after each patient interaction and when putting on and taking off PPE
- Clean and disinfect all patient contact surfaces in accordance with Public Health Ontario – Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning for Prevention of Infections in All Health Care Settings
- Wear a mask and other appropriate PPE at all times
- In addition to a surgical/procedure mask, consider the use of eye protection as part of your point of care risk assessment
- Review and follow the MOH’s COVID-19 Guidance: Primary Care in a Community Setting
The Ministry of Health continues to encourage all health care professionals to offer virtual care and tele-rehabilitation as much as possible to help minimize in-person interactions. Consider virtual care as an option particularly if a person screens positive for exposure to the virus or is at risk of complications should they contract COVID-19.
If you have questions about your professional obligations, please contact the College’s practice advice team for assistance. Email advice@collegept.org or call 1-800-583-5885 ext. 241.
We appreciate your ongoing efforts to provide safe physiotherapy care to all Ontarians.
Sincerely,
Darryn Mandel
President
Rod Hamilton
Registrar
