During this time, please know that the safety of my patients and myself is my highest priority. The following changes have been implemented to create a safer treatment environment and keep it as ‘low touch’ as possible. I will continue to evaluate and update as we move through this time of COVID-19.
What I am doing to keep you safe:
- In order to minimize any overlap of patients, the waiting room will no longer be in use.
- I will be wearing a mask for the duration of the treatment and gloves when needed.
- All patients are required to wear a face mask the entire time you are in the office, for the duration of the treatment.
- Face mask must be double (or triple) layer cotton, medical masks, KN95 or N95 with no valve. Please make sure that masks fit properly and do not drop down below your nose.
- Neck gaiters, bandanas, scarves or masks with valves will not be allowed. If you come in with one of these masks, I will provide you with a disposable medical mask to wear during your time in my office.
- Symptom screening upon entrance for patients and myself will be done.
- HEPA air filters are in each treatment room.
- Increased time between appointments to allow for a more thorough cleaning of the treatment rooms with FDA approved disinfectants.
- Cleaning all surfaces in the office including bathrooms, door handles, reception desk, high touch area, etc between each patient.
- I have removed all linens from the acupuncture rooms and now have special table covers and pillow case covers that are easily cleaned with approved disinfectants.
- If at anytime I find I have been exposed to COVID-19, I will quarantine for 14 days at home and will notify you immediately. Valerie Smith, who I share the office with, will be available to continue your treatments while I am away.
What I need from you:
- Please do not bring anyone with you to your appointment. If you need assistance, please let me know prior and if possible, arrangements can be made.
- Please DO wear a cloth face mask ~ this is REQUIRED to wear for the entirety of your treatment. If you do not have one, I will provide you with a mask that you can put on before entering the office.
- Face mask must be double (or triple) layer cotton, medical masks, KN95 or N95 with no valve. Please make sure that masks fit properly and do not drop down below your nose.
- Neck gaiters, bandanas, scarves or masks with valves will not be allowed. If you come in with one of these masks, I will provide you with a disposable medical mask to wear during your time in my office.
- Please DO NOT bring unnecessary items into the office with you, i.e., purses, bags, water bottles, iPads, etc.. The fewer items you have the less likely we will have any issues with contamination.
- Please have payment ready before your come in. Checks should be filled out, or if paying in cash, please have exact amount in an envelope with your name on it.
- Please DO NOT come to your appointment if you have, or have had, any cold or flu symptoms in the past 14 days, have traveled internationally in the past 14 days, or have any of the symptoms that are associated with Covid-19. This applies if you have a household member with any symptoms. We know that there are many silent carriers, but our goal is to minimize any exposure of known causes. Instead, call to reschedule or discuss other options.
- If you learn that you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 prior to your treatment or develop flu-like symptoms (within that 14 day window), please notify me.
Patient Arrival
- When you arrive for your treatment, please text me at 617.650.2422 from your car, or bus stop to let me know you have arrived. The front door will be locked while cleaning the office between patients. Please wait for my return text saying all is ready.
- I will greet you at the door wearing a face mask. I will be smiling under my face mask!
- Immediately upon entering will be a hand wash station. It is required that you wash (Purell) your hands before continuing with your treatment.
- There will be a cash box by the hand wash station. If you are paying cash, please have the exact amount in an envelope with your name on it. If you are paying by check, please have it written out prior to coming in. Please deposit your check or cash in the cash box. The cash box is sanitized between patient visits.
- If this is your first time back, there is an additional one-time COVID-19 Consent to Treat form that will need to be signed. I will have emailed this to you before your appointment for you to print and bring in with you signed. If you did not have a chance to do so, I will have one available for you to sign at the office. Please be assured, pens will be sanitized after use.
- You will then head directly into the treatment room. This will be sanitized between patient visits.
- Please know you will receive the same compassionate and healing treatment that you have always received.
Post Treatment
Once your treatment is complete, I ask you to please exit the office and I look forward to seeing you at your next visit.
Between Treatments
Please not the following protocols will be implemented between all patient visits:
- Treatment rooms will be aired for a minimum of 30 minutes between patient visits.
- All high touch surfaces will be wiped down with FDA approved disinfectant solutions. This includes treatment table, face cradle, pillow covers, doorknobs, light switches, chairs, clip boards, keyboards, phones, counter surfaces, pens, etc.
- A HEPA air purifier with UV light sanitizer will run in the treatment room.
Reducing Risk of Exposure
Thank you for your help and cooperation to keep everyone in our community safe.
While our office is doing everything possible to keep you safe, please be aware that, given current limitations of COVID-19 virus testing, determining who is infected with COVID-19 is exceptionally difficult. COVID-19 has an incubation period during which carriers of the virus may not show symptoms and still be contagious.
