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Practicing the Human Touch

November 24, 2020 | Tips & Trends
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Written by Brian Haas, PT, Clinic Director – Williamsport, PA

“Everybody’s talking to computers, they’re all dancing to a drum machine, I know I’m living on the outside, scared of getting caught between, I’m so cool calculated alone in a modern world…” These lyrics, from a song released 37 years ago take on a new meaning in the present day, especially considering how the year 2020 and a worldwide pandemic has resulted in lockdowns, shutdowns, quarantines, isolation and separation in so many ways across all cultures. We can see the devastating effects of isolation in people of all ages during the 2020 pandemic.

It has been shown that physical touch is necessary for a baby to thrive and this need continues throughout our lives. At Phoenix Physical Therapy, we understand that you, as our patient, have this natural need for physical connection and we seek to respond to this through every treatment that we provide. We understand that you have put your confidence in us to restore your physical function to “whole” again.

At Phoenix, our physical and occupational therapy professions certainly lend themselves to physical touch and we strive to remember that, in our hands is not just an arm or a leg, but an arm or a leg that is attached to YOU, another living and breathing person who has your ups and downs, your joys and struggles and in addition to meeting your physical needs with our hands, we also seek to “touch your heart,” having put your confidence in us to help you recover from your physical deficits. So, in our offices, you can expect that “practicing the human touch” goes well beyond the exercises and manual therapy and starts with the kind words, the smiles and the positivity to touch your heart.

In 1983, Rick Springfield released those lyrics in a song titled “Human Touch.” The chorus line: “We all need the human touch.” I wonder if he had a crystal ball to look into 2020?

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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