To our WinPO clients, family, and friends
Covid-19 Update
We at Winnipeg Prosthetics and Orthotics are doing everything we can to provide a safe environment for our patients and staff. During the past few weeks we limited access to the clinic in order to do our part to flatten the curve and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Although we still saw some essential/emergency cases in the clinic, limiting access to our clinic to the majority of patients was one of the toughest decisions we have ever had to make, but at the same time we knew that it was the right one.
We are keeping up to date with the best available information from Health Canada, The Center for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the province of Manitoba.
In response to the announcement that Manitoba is relaxing restrictions as part of Phase 1, we are happy to let everyone know that starting May 4th all patients, new and existing, will begin to be seen on a priority basis while we triage through our backlog of appointments that were cancelled.
We will be following a “split shift” plan where employees have been divided into two groups and each group will be working different days/shifts in order to minimize the number of people in the clinic at one time. Staff will maintain regular conference calls to insure that all relevant information is shared between shifts.
We will not be operating business as usual but will do our best to get to all patients in a timely manner. We don’t know what the “new normal” is going to look like but we have taken additional precautions in our clinic for everyone’s safety so that we can continue to provide essential care.
The next time you visit WinPO you will notice some significant changes. We have installed a plastic (Plexiglas) barrier around our reception desk. And you may not recognize everyone as before; we will be wearing lab coats, gloves, facemasks and eye protection, as strict protocols and precautions will continue to be in place as we do our best to mitigate the risks surrounding COVID-19. Also, all doors will remain locked with doorbell access and a personal greeting.
Our Protocols:
1. Two stage screening of clients
Stage 1: This will entail a preliminary screening of patients over the phone prior to the appointment to insure that they are not exhibiting signs or symptoms, known contact with someone infected or travel out of the province in the past 14 days.
Stage 2: Upon arrival to our clinic if you have a scheduled appointment you will be allowed to enter the building after passing a secondary screening by exhibiting no signs or symptoms.
Once a patient enters the building they will be asked to wash their hands and then escorted to a clinic room, as our waiting room is currently not in use.
Only essential companions will be permitted into the building with a patient provided that they pass the screening process as well. Any non-essential persons will be asked to wait outside.
If an appointment has not been scheduled you will not be seen. A card with our contact info will be handed out in order to schedule one.
2. What if you do have symptoms, been out of the province recently, currently self-isolating or can’t make it into the clinic but are still in need of care?
Although you will not be allowed to come into our clinic we will do our best to provide care. This may be in the form of a phone call or a video appointment (Face Time, Zoom, etc.) may be able to be arranged or the shipping of supplies if needed.
3. Increased sanitization protocols before and after all client interactions
Staff will wash and sanitize their hands, tools, and any surfaces touched before and after all patient visits. All patients/persons entering our clinic will be required to wash their hands prior to being seen. Please use the washroom adjacent to the reception area.
Before your visit, please disinfect your prosthesis or orthosis as best you can with alcohol spray or wipes.
If your prosthesis or orthosis needs to be worked on in the lab area, clinicians and technicians will follow strict protocol to minimize contact with other surfaces and ensure all tools and surfaces are sterilized before and after contact.
4. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Use
All clinical staff will be required to wear lab coats, gloves, facemasks and eye protection.
We ask that all patients bring their own mask if you have one. We are looking at options and resources to provide facemasks to patients in the clinic but at this time we do not have sufficient access to PPE to be able to provide them.
You and your clinician will refrain from any unnecessary physical contact, including shaking hands, and maintain a two-meter distance as often as possible.
Winnipeg Prosthetics and Orthotics has developed these protocols for the health and safety of our patients, our staff and families as well as our community. If you have any questions regarding our protocols please do not hesitate to contact us as we would be happy to discuss further.
Thank you for your understanding while we navigate through this unprecedented and ever-changing crisis.
The WinPO Team