Always Ready. Always Safe. Learn More About Our Health and Safety Protocols.corona close
Skip to main content
Back to all

Phoenix Physical Therapy Center Takes Steps to See Patients

May 4, 2020 | Corporate News
Share
Tweet
Share

SUNBURY, PA — Like many businesses, Phoenix Physical Therapy had to change its business amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

While patient traffic has dropped as residents follow stay-at-home orders, Caroline Opperman, facility director at Phoenix’s Sunbury clinic, said they are still seeing up to 70 patients a week. Some patients still visit clinics, while Opperman said there has been an uptick in telemedicine and in-home visits.

Phoenix Physical Therapy Co-Director Chelsea Howe, left, talks with Eduardo Velasco, Harrisburg, while he completes his rehabilitation exercises.

“We’re still probably seeing, on average, about 70 patients a week and things are picking back again,” she said, noting a drop of the normal flow of between 100 and 150 patients a week. “We are getting some people on workman’s compensation claims. We’re not doing too bad. But some people are surprised we are still open.”

“It’s going up and up down a little bit,” Chelsea Howe, co-facility director in Sunbury, said. “At first, not many people were coming in because they were worried (about COVID-19). But people have grown more comfortable with it, and it’s starting to pick up. It’s kind of nice; people are getting used to this new normal.”

Some visits can be handled with telemedicine, allowing for maximum social distancing. In those cases, physical therapists walk patients through exercises they can do at home. It does present some challenges, Opperman said.

“We can show them some massaging techniques, but it can be restricting,” she said. “In some cases, there are hands-on techniques that have their spouses help them with.”

Eduardo Velasco, of Harrisburg, was in the Sunbury facility last week for treatment. He was injured on the job, and while being placed on light duty, he is under rehabilitation.

“I am happy they are open,” he said. “It allows me to do my job. I am an essential. I want to get better as fast as I can so I can provide for my family.”

Howe and Opperman said all Phoenix facilities are following strict social distancing guidelines and taking proper precautions — masks and gloves — for in-home visits.

Chairs have been spaced out throughout waiting rooms, and appointments are staggered, so not as many people are on-site at the same time. Everything in the facilities is sanitized regularly, all physical therapists wear masks and gloves, and patients wear masks.
Hand sanitizer is available in the clinics as well.

“Some have said they don’t want to come in, so we are doing everything we can to make them feel safe,” said Opperman.
The masks do present one challenge, Howe said.

“While we still are doing what did previously, I can’t get the personal interaction we usually get. I can’t see personal expressions,” Howe said.

“We base a lot of what we do off facial expressions, how someone reacts, any pain, and with masks, we can’t really see it.

“We are doing what we can, but I ready for things to get back to normal. I think everybody is getting more comfortable with what is going on.”

Source: https://www.dailyitem.com/business/rehab-center-takes-steps-to-see-patients/article

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
×