Tag: COVID-19

The following actions have occurred, in order to manage the risk in regards to the delivery of allied health services, during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Client, Therapist, and Administration education, via email, telephone, and face-to-face, continues to occur to ensure up to date, and current information, is understood and shared regarding:
– infection control procedures and guidelines;
– hand hygiene;
– use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE);
– effective screening/triage of staff and clients;
– service delivery options, including Telehealth.

Our Administration team is conducting screening questions via phone, prior to every scheduled client/therapist interaction. This process includes therapists conducting a follow-up questionnaire upon presentation with the client, to ensure no changes in the clients health or well-being have occurred – this includes rescheduling of any symptomatic clients until healthy, and referring for testing where appropriate.

All therapist are in possession of appropriate PPE packs, and understand their requirement and how to use them.  Sourcing of these PPE items continues to occur, to ensure a stockpile is in place, to enable business continuity.

Telehealth services have been implemented, with procedures having recently been developed to ensure consistency in the delivery of services.  This includes detailed education being conducted to assist with both therapist and client uptake, particularly with a view to prioritising this type of service delivery model.

Adapt Health Care is excited to announce that we are now able to run Telehealth sessions for our clients, their families and their support teams. Due to Government’s current recommendation encouraging social distancing, Adapt Health Care has put measures in place to ensure we are able to maintain the safest forms of therapy for both our clients and our therapists. Our allied health team are now able to complete your appointments via phone, video conferencing (zoom) or email.

What do you need to complete Telehealth?

There are a number of different forms of Telehealth including over the phone sessions, video conferencing sessions (zoom), email sessions, check-ins over the phone and online video recorded sessions. At Adapt we are using a range of different types of Telehealth to meet the individuals needs. The therapist will help determine which type is most suitable for you.

To participate in Telehealth you will need:

• A suitable digital device (e.g. phone, iPad, laptop, desktop computer)
  Internet connection – if you are wanting to complete video conference sessions or email based sessions.
• Webcam – this can be built in, like your phone, ipad or laptop might have or may be a separate camera that you attach to your computer. This is only needed if wanting to access video conferencing sessions.

What is Telehealth?

Telehealth services use information and communications technologies to deliver health services and transmit health information to people that are in a different location to their allied health therapist. It can include phone calls, video calls, video conferencing (zoom), emails and sharing of videos and pictures between you and your therapist.

I have the appropriate device for Telehealth but I don’t know how to set it up?

Your therapist will be able to talk you through how to set up your device to be able to access Telehealth. We have also included a handout on how to access the Zoom video conferencing software if you are wanting to commence video conferencing/video sessions. This software is free and easy to use.

What if I cannot attend Telehealth?

We are still offering face to face therapy. To ensure this therapy is safe our team is following every government guideline in regards to infection & hygiene control, these include:
A screening questionnaire which our team will conduct over the phone before your sessions as well as repeated at the start of your session to ensure you and your therapist is healthy.
Each therapist has the required personal protection equipment to manage COVID-19 such as face masks, gloves, gowns and protective glasses.
We are also following strict hygiene control with effective hand washing & cleaning practises.
I would like to start Telehealth, how do I let my therapist know?

Please contact your therapist directly or email our administration team on info@adapthealthcare.com.au and let them know that you are wanting to start using Telehealth.