As we continue to navigate our way through the COVID 19 pandemic we are reminded that we carry a continued social responsibility to minimize transmission in our communities and protect our most vulnerable populations as we slowly re-open our economy and work towards a (new) normal. At Karen McLellan Acupuncture I take this responsibility very seriously for your health and safety, as well as that of myself and my loved ones, and our community as a whole. I would like to take a moment to thank you for your continued support of all of us who work in the community based Health care practices. It has been a challenging time for everyone in the world and I very much appreciate your patience and understanding as we attempt to keep you safe in our clinic environments:-)

Karen McLellan Acupuncture is a beautiful and clean, new space with only one Practitioner, Karen McLellan R.Ac. DTCM.  It is comprised of one treatment room, a private washroom and a spacious bright, well ventilated waiting room with private parking on site.  A positive of having a space like this is it is much easier for me to meet my commitment to patient safety. Being a one gal operator is to our advantage currently because together, you and I have 100% control of a very low traffic environment already leaning well towards the new safety guidelines we've been given even prior to this pandemic.

In this document I have put the important changes to note in bold followed by detailed explanations should you want to know them. This information is some, not necessarily all of what I will be doing to ensure the current safety guidelines and protocols are met. If you have any questions or concerns please let me know as I would be happy to go over them with you.  250-858-4325

What I am doing to help keep you safe:

Increased sanitation and cleaning of the clinic and treatment areas: 

• We are required to clean 2 times per day but in this clinic, all touchable surfaces of the reception area (including the entrance door handle/knobs), bathroom (including hand cream, soap dispenser, mirror, sink and toilet surfaces etc.) will be cleaned with an approved medical grade cleaning product between every patient. As will the treatment room (including all surfaces of the treatment table, side tables, light switches, door knobs....anything you may touch). All tools I use for treatment will continue to be cleaned between patients. Garbage containers will be emptied between each patient as well.

All Clinic furniture is made of non-material based, hard/cleanable surfaces. 

• To minimize contamination further, all supplies I use on each patient is placed in a closed cabinet and brought out for use once you are situated on the table and will be put away before you leave the table
• Minimal talking is done when working near your face and head. This is in the spirit of being efficient to mitigate how long I am inside the 6 foot measures with you.

First appointments of the day will be reserved for those most vulnerable. 

• If you feel concerned in any way please let me know.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be worn by Karen.

• I will be wearing a clean apron (one per person only and then laundered), a face mask and potentially a face shield for the entire duration of all treatments. During our private intake in the reception area, we are sitting outside of the expected 6 foot distance guideline but I will be wearing a mask regardless and ask at this time that you do as well, please. Disposable gloves will be worn by me when/if required.

A plexi glass screen is in place at my desk in reception as an added safety precaution.

Personal Hygiene Measures will continue to be top priority. 

• Due to the nature of our work, acupuncturists have high expectations on them to understand and practice a very high level of safety and clean needle technique, this has always been followed at Karen McLellan Acupuncture.  That fact in place, you will see me washing my hands and practicing extra hygiene even more than you had already seen me doing prior to the pandemic:-)

• Please do not enter unless this is completed and returned to me. It is possible you may be asked to go to the BCCDC website to do the COVID-19 self assessment if there are any concerns present. Thank you for working with me on this.

Health care practices have been asked to decrease density of patients coming through the clinic to minimize numbers of contact. 

• Due to the nature of this space already being a very low traffic area of a maximum of 5 patients per day this does not need to be dramatically changed however at this time, I will be booking approximately 3 or 4 patients per day instead to allow me the extra time to ensure proper disinfecting of the space for you and to lessen the traffic coming through the space. If possible, this may be increased down the road.

Appointment spacing will change. 

• I will be staggering each appointment with extra time between appointments to ensure you will not cross paths with anyone else at all however, please remain in your car until I welcome you in with a wave or text/call to allow me to disinfect the space and prepare for your safe entrance after the previous appointment.

New, non touch payment system. 

• You are familiar with the square program I already use to take payment. I am continuing with square so your receipting will remain the same but I have a new device in place that will allow for tap (touch-less) payments with no need for signature. It also allows me to now take interact/flash, Visa, Master card, American Express, Apple Pay and Google Pay.

• Laundered items will continue to be laundered properly as they were already. Blankets are not re-used, but are freshly laundered for each person and available any time needed. BCCDC states that COVID 19 is destroyed by hot soapy water which means it is acceptable for me to continue to provide washable table items (all table items are washed between every patient) such as sheets and pillow cases and hand towels in the bathroom.  I will also provide an alternative hand drying option of paper towels for you at this time so that you can choose what feels best for you.

• Note that hand washing is still the most effective and sanitizer is not required if done so properly but please feel free to help yourself any time you like.

Removal of glass wear for drinking water. 

• I will provide bottled water until I have another more environmentally friendly but safe method in place.

Extra air filtration. 

• Will be in place to keep air moving. Windows will be opened between each appointment to allow for fresh air to move freely through the clinic.