If you own or manage a physical therapy practice, one of your responsibilities will be keeping your clients safe during their visits. One vital aspect of safety is infection control. According to Enviro USA, bacteria can increase up to over 30% per day on a regularly cleaned surface. Therefore, keeping your clients safe from infection will require a strenuous effort on your part.
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is the use of medical treatments to restore movement and mobility. The first physical therapy association was the American Women’s Physical Therapeutic Association, according to the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association). APTA was founded in 1921 as part of the U.S. response to the influx of wounded veterans from World War I. Since then, physical therapists have used their skills to help clients return to their maximum levels of mobility.
Why Is Cleanliness Vital in Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy techniques directly impact the client’s body. The exercises involved in physical therapy are likely to cause the client to leave sweat and other body fluids behind. Body fluids left on furniture can transmit infections, especially to those who are elderly or immune-compromised. You’ll need proper cleaning methods to prevent transmission of infection.
What Practices Do Waiting Rooms Need?
Your waiting room is considered a “low-touch” area because the clients don’t leave as many body fluids behind. However, with the advent of COVID-19, extra measures were incorporated to prevent airborne infection. In addition to face masks, sneeze guards have been erected to separate staff from clients. Because germs are most frequently passed hand to hand, the use of touchless hand sanitizers around the office has also increased.
How Do You Keep Furniture Germ-Free?
Exam room furniture and standard room devices, like exercise machines, can be a more prevalent source of germs because of the actions taken by patients when they use them. One part of physical therapy treatment tables with the most potential for infection is the face support. When the client places their faces in the table opening, it increases the risk for infection transmission. Disposable face supports or other barrier devices become necessary to keep your clients safe.
How Should Examination Instruments Be Cleaned?
Instruments or grab bars gripped directly by clients are considered high-touch items. Therefore, they must be cleaned with an antibacterial solution between uses. Solutions for cleaning these surfaces – or the therapist’s exam instruments – should contain bleach or alcohol. Commercial cleaners like Clorox and Lysol are often used, but some therapists prefer alcohol wipes.
What Can Make Sanitization More Sustainable?
Many of today’s companies want to increase their company’s sustainability. Physical therapy practices use bed covers and pillowcases on their treatment tables. By purchasing clinic linens made from sustainable materials – like bamboo or antimicrobial vinyl, you’ll increase the level of sustainability utilized by your practice. You can eliminate the consumption of single-use plastics like cups for similar products made with sustainable products.
Which Sanitizing Methods Will Impact Your Budget?
You’ll need to purchase personal protective equipment for your staff, like gloves and face masks. Your utility bills may increase when you use enough water to clean your facility sufficiently. As a safety measure, you should request plumbing inspections since statistics show that 10% of U.S. homes have leaks. With this statistic in mind and the knowledge that those leaks waste more than 90 gallons of water per day, it can save you money to have those inspections done.
When you take the extra measures to keep your facility clean, you’re doing what’s necessary to keep your clients safe. When these measures are publicized, your clients will know you are going the extra mile toward their safety. If this information becomes public knowledge, it can generate good publicity for your facility. Taking these steps to keep your practice infection-free will help you continue to help your clients in the safest way possible.