FAQ about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and What We are Doing About It

Updated: August 2020

Disclaimer: Information about COVID-19 is rapidly changing. The information below may not be correct, complete, accurate, and/or may have changed without notice. It’s important to get your information from a trusted source. As such, we recommend you frequently visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/covid-19 for the most recent developments and advice.

What has our practice done to make your appointments as safe as possible?

1. Cleaning and disinfecting regularly. We have intensified our cleaning and disinfecting procedures of frequently touched surfaces.
2. We are educating our company staff about COVID-19. We are regularly educating and updating our clinical and administrative staff with information from trusted sources such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration.
3. We highly recommend that patients use hand sanitizer and/or wash their hands:
   • Before each treatment,
   • After handling paperwork and/or touching any surfaces and/or therapy equipment, and
   • Upon leaving our facility.

If I have shortness of breath, a cough, or a recent fever, should I come in for my regularly scheduled therapy session?

No, stay home if you are suffering with a cough or shortness of breath. Please notify us as soon as possible.

If you have had a fever, wait 24-hours from the time your fever ended to attend a therapy treatment session at our office.

Will I be assessed a cancellation penalty if I cancel due to the COVID-19 outbreak?

Please keep in mind that our late cancellation/no show policy requires a 24 hours notice to avoid a late fee. At TBTW, we expect you to get the most out of your physical therapy visits. A recent study has shown that patients who adhere to their physical therapy plan of care increase their ability to have success from physical therapy by 93%. Even one missed visit can significantly decrease your success and result in a more chronic problem. We strongly stress the importance of keeping all scheduled appointments to achieve your personal physical therapy goals.

What should I do if I think I am sick?

Click Here for a detailed list of steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick or suspect you are infected with the virus.

In short:

• Stay home
• Avoid public areas
• Avoid public transportation
• Stay away from others
• Limit contact with pets & animals
• Call ahead before visiting your doctor
• Wear a facemask
• Cover your coughs & sneezes
• Clean your hands often
• Avoid sharing personal household items
• Clean all high-touch surfaces
• Monitor your symptoms

What should I do if I have been traveling recently?

If you were traveling outside the country or were on a cruise in the past 14 days:

• Monitor your health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning to the United States.
• If a case of COVID-19 was reported on your ship during the cruise, stay home during these 14 days and practice social distancing.
• Stay home if you feel sick with fever, cough, or have trouble breathing and call ahead before you seek medical care
• Seek medical advice. Call ahead before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room. Tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

What can I do to protect myself and my family?

1. Cover your coughs and sneezes – Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or, if soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
2. Clean your hands often – Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water are the best option if hands are visibly dirty
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
4. Avoid sharing personal household items – You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
5. Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday – High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.