Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Revised January 14, 2022
What about returning toys, magazines and other materials to waiting rooms?
Items that cannot be effectively cleaned and disinfected between use must not be present in the clinic environment. This includes but is not limited to exercise equipment if it cannot be properly disinfected, items with porous fabric upholstery, and treatment beds with torn surfaces or patched with tape.
Toys that are non-porous, smooth, minimally textured, and able to withstand frequent and rigorous cleaning and disinfection are now allowed in waiting rooms as of August 17, 2021. For cleaning and disinfecting procedures for toys, please review the updated CCOA Pandemic Practice Directive.
How long will these requirements and recommendations be in effect?
The Pandemic Practice Directive adheres to requirements or recommendations from the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH), Alberta Health and Occupational Health and Safety. The directive will be in effect as long as the provincial pandemic-related requirements are in effect.
Why keep the screening question, everyone knows what to do.
Screening continues to be important for the safety of practitioners, staff and other patients. Patients who do not meet the requirements of the screening tools are not allowed into the Clinic environment. Screening also supports an employer's requirements under OHS standards for providing a safe workplace for you and your staff.
Why is eye protection still recommended?
Personal protective equipment that includes eye protection is recommended to protect the wearer from a potential vector of infection of the coronavirus. The decision to wear eye protection is strongly recommended by the CCOA.
What should I do if a patient, or staff, refuses to wear a mask for treatment?
Currently, there is a province-wide requirement to wear a mask. There may be patients that provide a letter of exemption that has been issued by a Physician, Nurse Practitioner or Psychologist.
The decision to treat unmasked patients is the purview of the practitioner providing care. You can take proven steps to reduce risk if you choose to treat a patient who is not wearing a mask, such as ensuring the patient is actively screened prior to entering the clinic environment, performing point-of-care assessments, making appointments as opposed to walk-in care whenever possible, using transparent barriers such as a face shield to cover the face, having clinic staff wear masks and other PPE, designate clinic space and specific treatment times for unmasked patient consultation and treatment.
What are other regulated health professionals doing?/ My RMT/physio/other is not required to do these things, why is the College being so strict?
Each regulated health professional is being asked to uphold the act in the interest of the public’s health. Even though there are no public restrictions, we are still in a pandemic and have a responsibility to provide safe, ethical care that considers the pandemic environment. The requirements and recommendations made by the CCOA were created with guidance from AHS and from our mandate of protecting the public.
Where do I get information on preparing an OHS plan?
Additional information about OHS requirements and legislation can be found at https://www.alberta.ca/occupational-health-safety.aspx
Why the increased discussion about OHS risks and planning now?
OHS signaled to all regulated health professions last year that they would start to be more active in our sector. Regulated members of the CCOA who employ Albertans are accountable to the Occupational Health and Safety Act as employers. The CCOA is reminding you of your obligation to ensure that regulated members understand that beyond the requirements to practice, they have requirements as employers. OHS requires that employers have plans for a safe work environment, that staff are educated on those plans, and have the opportunity to ask questions.
One key consideration at this time for employers is that COVID-19 is a potential biohazard in the workplace, and you are well advised to develop OHS plans and policies that reflect employee safety.
What do I do if I know or suspect I have been exposed to COVID-19?
Chiropractors are advised to make themselves aware of the current isolation and quarantine rules for individuals who are fully or partially vaccinated, unvaccinated, and/or who are identified as a close contact to an individual diagnosed with COVID-19. Similarly, chiropractors are advised to monitor the page 8 of 14 rules related to quarantine following international travel for individuals who are fully, partially or unvaccinated.
What documentation should be recorded in the patient file regarding COVID-19 screening?
The CCOA recommends that after a patient has been actively screened, a record of screening is entered into the patient's clinical record.
What cleaning and disinfecting products should I use? Can I use hand sanitizer from a local company?
Chiropractors are directed to check the Health Canada database to confirm that the virucide in use is effective against COVID-19. If using bleach, follow label directions for proper dilution ratios.
What should I use to perform hand hygiene?
Hand hygiene can be completed using alcohol-based hand rub (minimum 60% alcohol content), or through hand washing using soap and water. However, when hands are visibly soiled, they must be cleaned with soap and water as opposed to using alcohol-based hand rub.
Do my patients have to wear masks?
The Government of Alberta website informs all Albertans that masking is required in all indoor public spaces and workplaces. This includes chiropractic practices.
Can I practice acupuncture?
Chiropractors authorized to perform the restricted activity of acupuncture by the CCOA may currently practice this modality, provided they continue to employ the highest standards of aseptic practice.
Can I practice Telehealth?
Telehealth is part of the strategy to reduce in-person contact by providing treatments or consultations via telecommunication. To practice Telehealth, chiropractors must first obtain approval from the CCOA.
Reminder from the Registrar on advertising
Chiropractors should avoid making any unsubstantiated claims concerning the role of chiropractic care in preventing or managing COVID-19, immunity, or related viral infections, as per Standard of Practice 1.1. The CCOA is monitoring social media and online content to ensure compliance with advertising standards. Failure to comply may lead to a complaint.
A regulated member must not provide their opinion, discussion, or commentary on vaccines. Regulated members should respond to questions from patients on COVID19 immunization by directing all patient questions, consultation, and education regarding immunization and vaccination to the appropriate public health authorities and/or health professional whose scope of practice includes vaccination.
Regulated members should not promote their vaccination status in any marketing, including but not limited to websites, social media, or in-office signage/materials which states if the regulated member and/or their employees have or have not received a COVID-19 vaccination. If a regulated member has any marketing which includes this information, the regulated member is required to remove it as soon as possible.
Can I practice mobile chiropractic, such as house calls during the pandemic?
Effective May 25, 2020, upon motion from Council, mobile chiropractic during COVID-19 is permitted with compliance with the requirements of the Pandemic Practice Directive. Patient preference to receive mobile chiropractic does not mean mobile chiropractic is appropriate from a risk/benefit perspective. Considering COVID-19, the risks must be verbally disclosed to patients and how these risks are mitigated. If the risk cannot be mitigated for both patient and chiropractor, then treatment must not occur regardless of setting.
Who should I contact if I have questions?
If you have questions, please contact the CCOA at [email protected] and we will respond to you as quickly as possible. If you have a question, it’s likely that other chiropractors are having the same question. We’ll answer your question if we can, follow up with the Government on anything that requires further investigation and continue to update you on any news.