By: Kendall Percich, PT, DPT of Bay State Physical Therapy: Weymouth GARDENING TIPS
STAFF SPOTLIGHT Marissa Gill, PT, DPT of BSPT North Dartmouth For the past 7 years, I’ve been fortunate to be part of the Bay State PT family, working at several locations during that time. In July, I became managing partner of the North Dartmouth clinic. Each year, the company has helped me develop my skill set by offering important continuing education courses that let me provide the best care for my patients. With physical therapy playing a more important role in healthcare than ever, I was excited to start 2020. Then the pandemic hit. It has affected every aspect of life including putting many things on hold. I was fearful for my staff’s, patient’s and my own health. I was also worried that my patients would lose their hard-won progress by not being able to come to the clinic. The Bay State PT team took action by coming up with a solution to provide patients with necessary care while keeping them safe in their homes. TeleHealth allows physical therapists to treat patients using secure video visits on a computer, phone or tablet. During a typical visit, PTs can demonstrate
Keep your back straight and use your legs while lifting (vs. bending your back to lift). Keep items close to your body while keeping core muscles engaged. Remember: Never lift anything that’s too heavy for you. 3. Work smarter, not harder: Use a wheelbarrow or garden cart when moving heavy items, use gardening gloves to increase grip strength and protect your hands. 4. Be nice to your knees: If you’re spending a lot of time kneeling, use a towel, pillow, knee pads or a kneeling pad to provide cushion to your kneecaps. 5. Change positions frequently, take rest breaks often and stay hydrated. 6. If you experience any aches or pains, make sure to contact your doctor or physical therapist. 7. Don’t forget to smell the flowers. Happy gardening to all you green thumbs!
exercises and stretches. It’s been a great opportunity to see patients in their homes, tackling everyday like going up stairs, or figuring out the right ergonomic set up for a home office. Since equipment at home is limited, I’ve had my patients use different household objects as substitutes, like soup cans food for weights or a hockey stick to help stretch an arm. My patients have been very receptive and have continued to make progress. During these trying times, I am proud of everyone on the Bay State Physical Therapy team for stepping up and addressing the shift in health care, keeping everyone safe and healthy while keeping our patients on the road to health and wellness. – Marissa Check out Marissa’s interview with “SouthCoast Today” about the benefits of Telehealth at: https://www.southcoasttoday.com/ news/20200405/new-doctors-orders- telemed-takes-off-in-pandemic
Spending time in the garden this Spring? Try these tips to avoid aches and pains while doing what you love! 1. Perform a 10-minute warm-up and cool down before and after working in the yard. Try a brisk walk followed by gentle arm, leg and back stretches. 2. Practice good body mechanics while carrying heavier items.
BAY STATE PHYSICAL THERAPY – COVID-19 UPDATE: Our number one priority has always been the health and well-being of our patients and staff. With that as our focus, we’ve been working diligently to ensure that we continue to provide the highest-quality physical therapy services, while implementing policies and procedures to keep our patients and team members safe. we are able to give them the care they need in a safe and secure setting.
safe distance from other staff and patients • All non-essential vendors, observers, and other individuals are prohibited from entering the clinics Hygiene: • Stringent handwashing and hygiene protocols with team members • Mandatory patient hand washing upon arrival • Enhanced cleaning regimen of clinics and equipment • Placed alcohol-based sanitizer in the clinics for patient and employee use • Every clinician wears a mask and we require you to do the same • Coordinating with leading healthcare and infection agencies to mitigate potential risks Are you accepting new patients? Yes! We understand that pain and injuries don’t disappear just because of COVID-19. Call your closest clinic to get set up with an in-clinic or telehealth appointment. Keep Up to Date: The situation is constantly evolving, so please keep up to date with our latest news, information and health tips. Follow Us on Social Media: Facebook: www.fb.com/BayStatePT Instagram: www.instagram.com/baystatept For more information on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the ways to keep your family and communities safe, please visit the CDC (cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html) .
Our combined telehealth and in-clinic services play a critical role in reducing stress on other areas of the healthcare system. Physical therapy helps keep patients out of doctors’ offices and emergency rooms by managingmusculoskeletal symptoms and improving overall health. What are you doing to ensure patient and team safety in your clinics? Screening: Patient Care Coordinators are screening patients for symptoms by phone and in-person. If you are exhibiting any of the following symptoms, we ask that you reschedule your visit at the later of 14 days or the elimination of symptoms.All teammembers are also conducting daily screening for symptoms. Any employee presenting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will be sent home to self-quarantine for 14 days. • Cough • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Or at least two of these symptoms:
Since the middle of March, we have expanded our telehealth services so that patients can get initial screenings and treatments from the comfort and safety of their homes. For higher acuity injuries, or for patients who prefer in-person visits, our 50+ clinics remain open. At our clinics, we have implemented all CDC safety recommendations to ensure the safety of our patients. Why are we transitioning some patients to virtual visits? In order to support social distancing, we are offering patients the option of virtual visits via telehealth so that they can receive necessary treatment from the comfort and safety of their homes. What is a telehealth/virtual visit? Virtual visits are a one-on-one remote therapy visit with your physical therapist connected through video on your phone, tablet or computer. To assist with this connection, we will be using a program called Physitrack, a dynamic exercise- based program that is available for free. Why stay open at all? While telehealth is effective for many types of treatments, some patients require hands-on care or specialized equipment that they can only access in the clinic. By following CDC guidelines,
• Fever • Chills • Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain • Headache • Sore throat • New loss of taste or smell
Spacing and Distancing: • All care is one-on-one with a physical therapist, at a
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