SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19

SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR COVID-19SFIM ADOPTED THE STRICTEST SAFETY PROCEDURES AND PROTOCOLS IN RELATION TO COVID-19, WHICH HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN ADDITION TO THE CENTER’S ALREADY STRINGENT SAFTEY GUIDELINES.

COVID-19 Holiday Travel Update: If traveling outside of the area during the winter holidays, especially if traveling by air or gathering with groups outside your household, we kindly request that you get tested 3-5 days post-trip before coming into the office.

STAFF AND PATIENT SCREENING
We send out pre-appointment screening questionnaires. These are mandatory and must be completed before entering Blue Ova. They include screening for COVID-19 symptoms as follows:

• New cough*
• New shortness of breath*
• New fever, or feel feverish (100.1 oF or greater)
• Fever within the past two days: Please do not consider yourself fever free unless your temperature has been normal for two days without the use of fever-reducing medication (e.g. Tylenol, Ibuprofen Advil, etc.)

• New chills, or repeated shaking with chills
• New fatigue*
• New sore throat*
• New loss of taste or smell
• New nasal congestion*
• New muscle aches that are not caused by specific activity such as exercise*
• New diarrhea*
• Close contact with someone suspected/known to have COVID-19 in the last 21 days.

• Air travel within the past 14 days (see COVID-19 Holiday Travel Update at top of page)

*cannot be attributed to another health condition

• We require anyone to wait two weeks from the onset of above symptoms, test negative, or until you have been symptom free for 72 hours before coming in for an appointment.

• All Staff is screened before coming in each shift with the same screening.
• Upon entry, we will be taking the temperature of all staff and patients with a no-touch thermometer. If temperature of 100.1 F or greater we will ask you to reschedule your appointment.
• All staff and patients are required to wash hands or use provided sanitizer when entering the center.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
All patients are required to wear a mask at all times. If you do not have one, we will provide at cost.
All staff will wear medical grade KN95 masks at all times, scrubs, dedicated clinic footwear and hair tied back.
SANITIZATION AND DISINFECTION
We complete stringent sanitization and disinfection of every room after each patient. This includes using EPA-registered hospital grade disinfectant on tables, chairs and counters. We sanitize all high touch areas including door handles and light switches. At all times we have HEPA with UV light air filters and air nebulizers running. The HEPA filters are in each treatment room and the reception, and filter room air 4x per hour. 
ACUPUNCTURE SAFTEY
All of our acupuncturist have tested through and follow the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine’s (CCAOM) Clean Needle Technique (7th Edition -February 2020). This includes best practices for acupuncture needle safety and related procedures.
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
Safety is a cornerstone of our practice. If you have any questions you would like to discuss, please reach out to us