Coping with COVID-19

We understand that concerns about COVID-19 (the coronavirus) have been escalating around the world, and now here in NS. As a precaution, we are doing all that we can to protect our patients and create an environment where you continue to feel safe and healthy.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is characterized by mild symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fever. Illness can be more severe for some people and can lead to pneumonia or breathing difficulties. We would ask if you are having any of these symptoms, have travelled recently or have been in close contact with someone who has travelled recently, please do not come to your appointment.  There will be no penalty for missed or cancelled appointments during this time.

Please note anyone who has travelled outside of Canada or has been in close contact with someone who has and are experiencing fever (above 38C) or cough should complete the online questionnaire to see whether you need to call 811. The online questionnaire can be found at: 811.novascotia.ca

Here is an overview of the steps we are taking as of March 15, 2020:

• CLEANING: While our office is cleaned daily and deep cleaned weekly, we have increased efforts to sanitize and disinfect key, high-trafficked areas, including adjusting tables, computers, adjusting instruments, kids areas, door knobs, handles, and the washroom and all flat surfaces people may come in contact with regularly. We have medical grade disinfectant implemented multiple times daily throughout the surfaces of the clinic.

We will have extra cleaning spray bottles along with paper towel available, please feel free to clean anything if you would like that extra assurance. Your mental comfort and ability to relax for your appointments are important to us and we want you to feel empowered to serve your own needs.

Please feel free to wash your hands with soapy water in our washroom. We also have hand sanitizers available at the front desk. Although we are always conscious of good hygiene, we as a team are committed to washing our hands and sanitizing very frequently during this time.

• KIDS AREA: We have put the books and colouring books away for now. Our toys have also been stashed.  They will have to wait to make pizzas and assemble body parts until after the viral threat has petered out.

Please bring your own baby blankets for your baby’s adjustments, if that makes you more comfortable. Ours are laundered after every use as always.

* PAYMENT MACHINE: With TAP available, there is less contact of fingers during transactions. We are also activating online payment so you can wave to the front desk on the way by and we can send you a bill to pay by email.  If technology is not your thing, just let us know you would like to “run a tab” and we will get you later!

• EFFICIENCY: One of the concerns with spread of any illness is in having to wait around in the vicinity of large groups of people. While we try to be efficient at all times, we are stepping up these efforts. This team is totally dedicated to giving you the care you need in an efficient and effective manner. We don’t ever want you to feel rushed, but we also want you to feel safe and supported in your care.

Here’s what you can do to make your time with us less “public”:

1. Dr. Kristen is happy to answer any of your care-related questions via email or phone after or before your appointment, instead of during adjustment appointments, thus shortening appointment times and wait times. Send your emails to info@invernesschiro.com or call 902-258-2656 and we will forward to her to respond.

2. When you come for your appointment, we will do our very best to get you to a treatment room as quickly as possible. This is to allow more personal space for everyone.

3. Please try to arrive as close to right on time as possible.  If we have people coming early and late it will create longer wait times and congestion in the waiting area.

4.  We have online capabilities for booking, cancelling, and now payment.  You can minimize or eliminate your time at the front desk if you are so inclined.  We know that we have the friendliest staff around, and it will be difficult not to chat, but we will understand and can always catch up with you on a future visit.

5. Dr. Erin can do many appointments by phone, Skype & Facetime if desired.  Please call our front desk to discuss booking.

6. Dr. Kristen will be opening up more isolated appointment times at lunch break and on Friday for any of our senior, immunocompromised or just extra cautious patients.  Please feel free to call the clinic at 902-258-2656 to book in one of these appointments. These appointment times will be preceded by a deep clean and will have extended time to minimize contact with others.

We also want you to feel as prepared and empowered as possible during this time of uncertainty.

We have many immune boosting products and supplements available for purchase.  We have some in stock and some you can order directly and have them delivered via Fullscript on our website.

We also are very well stocked for toilet paper, so no worries there on your visit to the clinic.

Your safety and health are our top priority. Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please message us or call us. We want to help keep you moving in the right direction with regards to your health and your wellness care, but also serve our larger community by keeping the potential spread to an absolute minimum. These measures can let us do both.

We will be open Monday, Mar 16th, but we will constantly reassessing risk and will keep you posted on decisions as we gain more information.

Yours in health,

The Inverness Chiropractic Team