To Our Patients and Community Partners:

At Excel Physical Therapy, the health and safety of our patients, staff, and community is our highest priority and we have been monitoring the recent updates from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in regard to concerns about coronavirus (2019 n-Cov). As a part of our standard business practices, and especially during flu season, we promote and encourage additional precautions to reduce the spread of influenza-like illnesses at our clinics and follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and CDC Guidelines at each of our facilities every day. As additional information becomes available, we will continue to follow guidance from the CDC to implement efforts to reduce the likelihood of illness and wanted to share some precautionary measures, as well as efforts we are undertaking when visiting our clinics.

Precautionary Measures: 

At this time, the CDC has advised that the situation is rapidly evolving and the risk assessment is being updated frequently.  We strongly encourage the following practices to help reduce the spread of illness as recommended by the CDC:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
• Stay home when you are sick;
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (NOT your hands), then dispose of directly in a trash receptacle;
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or sanitization wipe;
• Follow CDC’s recommendations regarding the use of a facemask:
  • The CDC does not recommend that people who do not exhibit signs of illness wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used primarily by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Review and follow CDC Travel Advisories when planning travel. If you become ill after returning home, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Precautionary Measures at our Clinics:

Additionally, to protect and provide a safe treatment environment, our front desk staff will begin to ask patients upon arrival whether they are currently experiencing any illness or flu-like symptoms, to assess the risk of exposure to staff and other patients. Based on the response, our patient service representatives have been instructed to exercise the following actions if necessary:

• If a patient needs to cancel an appointment because they are ill, Excel will not charge any cancellation fee.
• If a patient arrives for an appointment and exhibits signs of fever or respiratory illness, we will ask that they reschedule their appointment when they are feeling better (free of fever for 24 hours) and direct them to their Primary Care Physician immediately. Excel will also not charge any cancellation fee for this occurrence.

Within each of our clinics, the following precautions are part of our standard operating protocols and these efforts will be monitored and increased:

• All of our Physical Therapy Exam Tables are disinfected and sanitized prior to each patient’s use
• All pillowcases and towels are washed with detergent and hot water, along with heated drying
• Staff and patients are both strongly encouraged to wash their hands often, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially prior to known risk factors such as coughing, sneezing, blowing their nose, eating, or visiting the restroom
• The exterior and interior door handles, to access and proceed into our clinics, are also cleaned so as to minimize contact exposure
• The waiting area in our clinics is also wiped/disinfected  to minimize the risk of any exposure

As additional information becomes available, we will take appropriate action to continue to protect the health and welfare of all of our patients and staff. We want to reassure current and prospective patients that during this time of heightened awareness, Excel Physical Therapy continues to provide quality care while meeting and exceeding recommendations of the CDC.

For additional information regarding coronavirus, please visit these websites:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html

National Institute for Health:

https://www.nih.gov/health-information/coronavirus

From the World Health Organization:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Thank you for your continued trust and should you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at info@excelphysicaltherapy.com or speak with any of our area Clinic Directors for further assistance.

Sincerely,

Kristin Mullen, CEO – Excel Physical Therapy