Timeline of Covid-19 Updates
6/20/20 Maricopa County mandates face coverings when out in public. This includes anyone who enters any of our clinics in the mandated cities. The exceptions to this are:
Those who cannot wear a face covering due to a medical or behavioral condition
Children under 6 years of age
When complying with directions of law enforcement officers
Where it is not practical/feasible to wear a face covering, such as the receipt of dental services or while swimming
Anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance
6/5/20 Covid Screening at all clinics:
If you are coming to the clinic here is what you can expect:
When you arrive you will be asked if you, your child or anyone in your family has had any symptoms of COVID-19 INCLUDING:
○ Fever (>100.4 F)
○ Cough (note: a cough is defined as new onset of cough within the previous 14 days)
○ Shortness of Breath
Temperatures will be taken using a no touch thermometer.
ANYONE WHO HAS SYMPTOMS CONSISTENT WITH COVID-19, HAS A TEMPERATURE ABOVE 100.4 OR HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH A KNOWN COVID-19 PATIENT IN THE PAST 14 DAYS IS NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER THE CLINIC AND THEIR APPOINTMENT WILL BE RESCHEDULED.
3/30/20 Governor issued an Executive Order- Stay home, stay healthy, stay connected. This policy further promotes physical distancing and staying home with the exception of essential functions, activities and providing essential services (as defined in 3/23/20 order). Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapy are all considered essential services.
3/26/20 Horizon sent an email to all families and therapists that we will continue to provide clinic, in-home and now teletherapy services to all of the children we serve. We strongly encourage the use of teletherapy during the course of this Public Health Emergency
3/25/20 Governor Ducey issued and Executive Order for the Expansion of Telemedicine. This order provides Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy with the ability to provide teletherapy services remotely, for the duration of this Public Health Emergency
3/23/20 Governor Ducey issued an Executive Order Prohibiting the Closure of Essential Services. Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapy are all considered Essential Services.
3/13/20- Emailed and posted to website a summary of safety measures and other precautions taken at all clinic sites.
Here at Horizon Pediatric Therapy we genuinely care about the safety and well being of all the children we serve, their families and our staff. If you or your child has developed symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing or have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if you have traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19, we would like to ask that you please stay home, contact your therapist to reschedule and call your primary healthcare provider. For the safety of everyone, should any office staff, therapists, children or caregivers come to the clinic displaying the above mentioned symptoms you will be asked to leave.
As we all know this situation is evolving daily. As of today we will continue to keep our clinic sites open. Horizon Pediatric Therapy is taking the following precautions for everyone's safety:
We have significantly increased the cleaning at all clinics. Multiple times a day regularly used surfaces such as balls, therapy mats, tables, door handles, light switches, restrooms will be disinfected. Cleanings are on a schedule which is monitored closely.
We would like to ask that when you arrive at the clinic, please text your therapist and they will come get your child from the car and at the end of the session, your child will be brought back out to you.
Your child will remain in the treatment room for the entire session and will not be interacting with other therapists or children.
We will wash our hands upon arrival and when the session is over. All objects used during each session will be sanitized at the end of each session.
Parents are always encouraged to sit in on sessions, however, we are asking that if you do not sit in on the session, that you wait in your car and only come into the waiting room if you need to use the restroom.
Therapists will clean all surfaces and any games or toys that will be used prior to each therapy session.
We are asking all therapists and office staff members to stay home if they are experiencing any symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing
When possible if a therapist or family would prefer in-home services we can coordinate with DDD a temporary transfer of location of service delivery.
Teletherapy is now approved by DDD for OT and ST and all disciplines by some private insurances companies!! This is an excellent alternative to those wishing to practice social distancing. More information on this coming soon.
For individuals, the CDC recommends the following to take precaution in preventing contraction of COVID-19:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
If you need to see a healthcare provider, consider using telemedicine, if this is an option.
For additional resources and best practices for avoiding exposure, please visit CDC’s website.
You can also visit www.azhealth.gov/coronavirus or contact your Local Health Department for the most up-to-date news about the virus in AZ.
I will keep this page updated with any new information. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this challenging time. I hope that you, your families and those around you are safe and healthy as the world works to defeat this silent enemy.
Sincerely,
Lisa Fasano