Covid-19 Updates

Once patients recover from COVID symptoms, their journey is not over. They may still require additional treatment in order to get back to normal after their initial recovery. A percentage of patients require hospitalization, meaning bed rest is necessary in order for them to recover. Although this is necessary, it can lead to complications of the musculoskeletal system including strength loss, atrophy, and contracture.

Depending on the severity of the illness, patients will benefit from a variety of activities and exercise-based rehabilitation. Patients who have been in the ICU due to COVID may experience post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) which involves health problems from the ICU stay that may persist after the patient leaves the hospital. These problems can involve general body weakness, cognitive or brain dysfunction, and mental health conditions.

We have resumed our normal hours of operation, but we will continue to prioritize the health and safety of our patients and staff. Therefore, we will maintain all protocol measures in place until de virus is completely eradicated. We want to clearly outline our commitment to your safety, as well as introduce some new policies that we’ve implemented based on the new CDC and Department of Health guidelines.

We will continue scheduling patients visits while practicing social distancing in all of our common spaces, including waiting rooms. As well as the continuation of appropriate screening process prior to entering the building. This screening process is REQUIRED for all staff members, physical therapists, aides, and patients to enter our facility. Additionally, all visitors (except for a needed caregiver for the elderly or minors) are required to wait in their cars until the patient care is completed.

Contact our office administrator to reschedule your appointment if you or anyone in your household has been exposed or has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days or are exhibiting symptoms of illness including, but not limited to:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

Please note that this list is not all possible symptoms. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

• Covid-19 screening questionnaires by phone and in-person
• Temperature checks upon arrival
• Masks and gloves will be provided if needed
• One patient per hour
• We have installed four UV germicidal light bulbs as air purifiers to kill viruses and bacteria
• Hand sanitizers will be accessible
• We will sanitize and disinfect treatment areas after each patient
• We will sanitize and disinfect high-touch surfaces (door knobs, treatment tables, etc.)
• All staff will wear appropriate PPE

• Please arrive on time for your appointment
• When you arrive, please call us and wait in your car. We will notify you when it’s time for you to come in.
• Do not bring children or extra guests who are not already scheduled for an appointment
• Do not bring extra bags. Please keep any bag to a wristlet size
• Masks are required in our office
• If you or someone in your house is not feeling well, please call to reschedule your appointment.

• Telehealth is the delivery of treatments or services remotely using electronic information and telecommunication technologies such as audio and video. You also may hear the term “telerehabilitation,” which refers specifically to physical therapy or other services delivered remotely.
• Telehealth services may be delivered in real time (that is, a live session) using audio-video technologies, or not in real time, using messaging and recorded video or images.
• Real-time telehealth allows you to engage in an actual therapy session with your PT or PTA in your own home through a “face-to-face” audio-video connection.
• Telehealth services allow you to maintain contact with your PT, seek advice, and receive recommendations and support in your rehabilitative efforts or care of a loved one.

For a face-to-face therapy session, you will need a computer or mobile device with an integrated camera and microphone. You will also need a good internet connection that allows you to stream video.

Both telephone services and virtual check-ins can be done using a telephone, although a virtual check-in may also include the use of audio-video applications, secure text messaging, email, or a portal. Your PT may perform a virtual check-in by contacting you. Telephone services must be initiated by you or your caregiver reaching out to the PT. In both cases, these services allow you to maintain contact with your PT, seek advice, and receive recommendations and support in your rehabilitative efforts or care of a loved one.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Maintain at least 6 feet distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
  Clean your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.
• If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.
• Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.
• Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.
• Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones)
• Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.

• Pay attention to potential COVID-19 symptoms including, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you feel like you are developing symptoms, call your doctor.
• If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency warning signs*:

1. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
2. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
3. New confusion or inability to arouse
4. Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptom that is severe or concerning.

• Stay home and call your doctor
• Call your healthcare provider and let them know about your symptoms. Tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help them take care of you and keep other people from getting infected or exposed.
• If you are not sick enough to be hospitalized, you can recover at home. Follow CDC instructions for how to take care of yourself at home.
• Know when to get emergency help
• Get medical attention immediately if you have any of the emergency warning signs listed above.

• Older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. Early data suggest older people are twice as likely to have serious COVID-19 illness. This may be because:
• As people age, their immune systems change, making it harder for their body to fight off diseases and infection.
  Many older adults are also more likely to have underlying health conditions that make it harder to cope with and recover from illness.
  If a COVID-19 outbreak happens in your community, it could last for a long time. Depending on the severity of the outbreak, public health officials may recommend community actions to reduce exposures to COVID-19. These actions can slow the spread and reduce the impact of the disease.
• If you are at increased risk for COVID-19 complications due to age or because you have a severe underlying medical condition, it is especially important for you to take action to reduce your risk of exposure.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

World Health Organization (WHO)

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)

Scerbo Physical Therapy Sports & Rehabilitation Safety Information