Christine Egan Physical Therapy

Additional measures may be necessary to protect your health in our clinics. If so, we will update our practices and policies immediately. With this shared commitment, we are confident we can continue delivering the same high level of care you’ve come to expect from us. Make sure you have the latest and most up-to-date information. Review the links below of other healthcare and government organizations:

In May, the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) published guidelines for outpatient PT clinics to follow while offering in-person visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines describe several components of a safe PT appointment.

When you call to make your first appointment, we may interview you over the phone to ensure that you have had minimal chance of COVID-19 exposure.

Questions may include:

Have you left the country during the previous 14 days?
Have you traveled from your immediate area recently?
Have you been exposed to any person with a known diagnosis of COVID-19?
Do you have a dry cough, difficulty breathing, or body aches?
Are you experiencing a sudden and recent loss of taste or smell?
Are you feeling generally unwell?

Answering “yes” to any of these questions may cause us to discourage you from attending PT.

Signage
When entering the outpatient clinic, you should notice signage that indicates the clinic takes the threat of COVID-19 seriously. Signs should tell visitors and patients to wear face coverings, and there should be signs and indicators about social distancing. A lack of information or signs about COVID-19 may indicate that this particular clinic is not closely following protocols for minimizing COVID-19 risk.

Temperature check
When you arrive at the PT clinic, a therapist or assistant may take your temperature. Any sign of an elevated temperature may mean illness, and you may be asked to exit the clinic and self-quarantine.

Masks
Don’t be surprised to find that all physical therapists, assistants, and employees are wearing masks or face coverings in the PT clinic. This helps to decrease the amount of respiratory droplets from exiting one person’s mouth or nose and possibly infecting you or others around you.

Coronavirus: Dos and Don’ts of Face Masks for COVID-19
You likely will also be asked to wear a mask during your PT sessions. It may be uncomfortable wearing a mask while exercising and moving around, but the goal of minimizing unwanted exposure should be more important than some mild and temporary discomfort.

Waiting Areas
We have you wait in your car outside the clinic until your appointment time.

Equipment Cleaning
Don’t be surprised if your PT is running a little late for your appointments. Most PT clinics have upped the ante when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting equipment. We follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) protocols for cleaning equipment. Every surface and piece of equipment should be cleaned and disinfected after each visit. To keep equipment as clean as possible, you may also be asked to wash your hands before your appointment.

If You’re Nervous About In-Person PT
A Teletherapy PT visit is an option if hands-on treatment is not absolutely necessary for your condition.