Weekly COVID-19 update

January 28, 2021

A message from the Registrar

Dear Colleagues,

 

Thank you for your continued leadership in supporting public health efforts in Alberta. The ACAC continues strongly recommend eye protection for Alberta Chiropractors. Late last week, Alberta Health informed the ACAC that The Notifiable Disease Guidelines for COVID-19 were updated on January 14, 2021.

 

Eye protection and the determination of being a close contact

In the January 14, 2021 Notifiable Disease Guidelines for COVID-19 update, the guidelines were amended and now recommend the use of eye protection in practices where two metres of physical distance cannot be maintained.

 

“Eye protection is now recommended as an additional layer of protection for all patient interactions within two metres in areas where there are ongoing high levels of community transmission.”

 

The recommendation for eye protection when two metres of physical distance cannot be maintained also resulted in Alberta Health updating information on the determination of being a close contact for COVID-19.

• If a Health Care Worker (HCW) was continuously masking and practicing hand hygiene and taking care of patients who are asymptomatic/pre-symptomatic in 48 hrs prior to symptom onset in the patient, the HCW would not be considered a close contact.
  
  
• If a HCW was wearing a surgical/procedure mask, eye protection and was practicing good hand hygiene and had brief/transient contact with a patient who had symptoms that were not recognized to be COVID-19 at the time, that HCW may not be considered a close contact, but this assessment would have to be done on a case by case basis by WHS/OHS/MOH/designate.

This communication clarifies that eye protection, an appropriate procedural mask and good hand hygiene as identified in the ACAC COVID-19 Pandemic Practice Directive results in the determination that Health Care Workers (chiropractors) may not be considered a close contact. However, the Medical Officer of Health, or their designate, will still make that determination based on the information gathered during their investigation.

 

To limit the spread of COVID-19, to protect the public, and to provide the highest likelihood that you will not be considered a close contact, the ACAC continues to strongly recommend that you include eye protection as part of your personal protective equipment.

 

Thank you,

Reminder on pre-screening requirements 

Chiropractors must assess and screen patients for symptoms of COVID-19 as per the requirements of Public Health. Patients exhibiting signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should not present for clinical services during the pandemic.

Clinic staff should collect simple screening information at the time of booking the appointment and again in-person at the time of the patient’s visit to the clinic. People who accompany patients, such as parents, caregivers or companions, must be screened with the same questions as the patient.

 

Even with the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines, patients and/or companions that have received the vaccine must still be screened for symptoms. If a patient is screened and found to be symptomatic, they must isolate until their symptoms subside.

Some people may exhibit symptoms within 48 hours post-vaccination. As a precaution, people
experiencing symptoms within 48 hours of vaccination should not be seen as they may have COVID-19. Additionally, if the symptoms persist past 48 hours post-vaccination, Alberta Health Services requires COVID-19 testing. If their symptoms subside and they are COVID-19 negative, then they are eligible for care.

Patients and/or companions exhibiting symptoms should not receive chiropractic treatment at this time and should be directed to call Health Link 811.

 

Full screening requirements can be found in the ACAC COVID-19 Pandemic Practice Directive.

This weekly, Thursday morning COVID-19 update provides non-urgent, yet important, information and answers questions posed by members as part of the ACAC’s ongoing efforts to keep members informed about public health responses to the pandemic. If you have questions related to policy, procedures, control measures, safety, or any other topic pertaining to effectively responding to COVID-19 in your practice, please send them to registrar@albertachiro.com.

 

The next update will be February 4, 2021.

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Alberta College and Association of Chiropractors 

11203 - 70 Street NW

Edmonton, AB, T5B 1T1

P 780.420.0932 | F 780.425.6583