Post COVID-19 Chiropractic Practice: The New Reality
COVID-19
SPOTLIGHT
By
Mark Studin
DC
This is Melinda Keller DC, the new face of chiropractic in the COVID-19 era. Dr. Keller is a true hero as she has given selflessly to serve in the face of a mortal, yet invisible enemy. Dr. Keller practices in Brooklyn, New York, which was one of the deadliest Coronavirus epicenters on the planet, where she practiced 13-hour days, 5 days a week, alone in her office. With a staff of 14 that has predominantly “sheltered at home” as per concern for their safety. She is married and a mother of 3 in their late teens and deals with family issues, as we all do, yet she goes to work every day because she is essential to her community. She is my hero.
Clad in her armor of a mask [and sometimes a face-shield], with new surgical gloves for every patient, and a lab coat, she works alone treating acute cases. In a typical 13-hour day that includes adjusting, decompression, answering phones, appointing visits, handling the finances, and every other office task, she treats approximately 24 patients, spacing them out every 30-minutes.
Although many feel this is the Post-COVID era, we cannot be blinded by political rhetoric and must follow the United States Government Scientists at the Centers for Disease Control [CDC], which has correctly forecasted upward curves in the majority of states. The CDC uses ten different mathematical models, all conclusively showing an upward trend in both infection and mortality over the next few short months. This is not about “chest-thumping” or “hoping” or “civil disobedience” because it is vogue. It is about you, your family, your patients, your staff, and your community staying well— every life matters, both young and old.
Dr. Keller has appropriately taken precautions to help prevent the spread of this disease. There are small steps that make a big difference in your practices that should still be considered as a matter of business: disinfect the doorknobs after each patient comes into your office and leaves, maintain social distancing in your reception area, or conversely make their cars in the parking lot the waiting room and call them in as you are ready to treat. Disinfect the adjusting tables and rehabilitation equipment after every patient, and do not forget to disinfect the light switches. Consider making the bathroom off-limits or disinfect after every patient as so much is touched with each “potty visit.” Floors, countertops, and any other surface walked on or touched must also be disinfected multiple times daily.
Consider purchasing an inexpensive digital thermometer to use on every patient as they enter the office, and have every patient fill out a questionnaire to see if they have been exposed to infected family or friends. ABOVE ALL, PLEASE ADJUST YOUR PATIENTS FACE DOWN FOR THE NEAR FUTURE.
It has been conclusively proven that the virus can live on your breath in the air for upwards of 2-hours. We often have our faces in close proximity to the face of our patients with a supine adjustment. You should avoid touching your face all day, and wash both your hands and face multiple times per day regardless of gloves and a mask. These are strange times and require extreme measures because we are essential and cannot help anyone if we are ill.
"Over a short period of time [depending upon where you practice] the multitudes will return."
Consider putting up a plexiglass divider between your patients and your staff and have some fun; purchase customized facemasks with your clinic name or logo on them as a give-away.
Do not be blinded by anything other than the factual numbers of the infection rate. Your health and the health of your family, staff, patients, and community depend upon you being part of the solution, NOT the problem.
As we transition away from telemedicine visits, to have our patients return to our clinics so we can get them adjusted, we have new challenges. Over the last few weeks, even those who remained open, have realized a significant drop in patient volume. Over a short period of time [depending upon where you practice] the multitudes will return. I suggest you perform a full reevaluation on every patient prior to instituting passive care (active = what the patient does to themselves, passive = what the doctor does to the patient]. This should be coded as 99212-99215, depending upon your clinical decision as to complexity.
Success in the Post-COVID “shelter at home” era is about your community’s confidence in you as a responsible member of society that is taking this seriously. It is also out of respect and safety for those who have spent weeks, sheltering in their homes and not just rendering a sense of security to visit your office. It is about ensuring their safety through diligence with taking every precaution and not putting anyone in harm’s way.
I personally know 5 DC’s that have contracted COVID-19; 3 lived and 2 died. The 3 that lived, all shared they believed death was imminent, and all at the last moment resurrected and still struggle every day to regain their “previous” levels of health. I BEG YOU, follow in the footsteps of my hero, Dr. Keller, and take every precaution possible to protect yourself, your family, your staff, and your community. If you disagree with me, that is your choice. However follow my recommendations and 1-year from now, I urge you to tell me how wrong I was while you and your family stayed healthy during the Pandemic.
References
1. COVID-19 Forecasts, Retrieved from https: //www. cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2 019-ncov covid-data/forecasting-us. html/anchor 1587397564229
Dr. Mark Studin is the founder of the Academy of Chiropractic and the Doctors PI Program (www.DoctorsPIProgram.com). He also teaches in both chiropractic and medical at various levels on MRI spine interpretation, spinal biomechanical engineering, spinal trauma pathology, triaging the injured and other spinal and trauma-related topics. Dr. Studin consults and creates strategic business strategies for chiropractors, medical doctors, hospitals and lawyers nationally. He can be reached at 631-786-4253 or DrMark@ AcademyofChiropractic.com
