UPDATE 3/17/2023
We have continued to follow CDC guidelines and utilize information from public health officials. Our offices are mask optional. We continue to screen for symptoms prior to sessions, offer telehealth services, and isolate as directed when clients or therapists are positive for COVID-19.
UPDATE 9/30/2022
In accordance with the CDC’s new guidelines for healthcare facilities, masks will now be optional at our offices. We encourage those who are immunocompromised and/or at risk for serious illness to continue to wear masks; therapists will wear a mask if client prefers. If the community levels of illness rise to the “red” level, we will reinstitute mask wearing policies. During group activities with our ABI clients, masks should be worn to minimize illness exposure. Please continue to check in with the office staff upon arrival to the office. If experiencing flu or COVID symptoms, please utilize telehealth services or reschedule the appointment. If a household member or client is positive with COVID, we will continue to follow guidelines to utilize remote services for the quarantine period.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html
COVID guidance from the Kentucky Department of Public Health 1/2022
https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/covid19/HaveYouBeenExpostedorTestedPositiveforCv19.pdf
UPDATE 12/28/2021
If a client is exposed to COVID-19, the client is recommended to utilize telehealth services and stay out of the office for at least 5 days. If the exposure is direct (such as from a caregiver, more than 15 minutes of close contact without a mask, etc.), the client should have a negative test result on day 5 post-exposure prior to returning to the office for services. If the client or someone in the client’s household has tested positive for COVID-19, the client may return to the office when released by the health department. A negative test result is preferred. In all circumstances, strict adherence to mask wearing policies will be implemented. If a client is unable to wear a mask with proper fit, the client should utilize telehealth services and return to in-person services 10 days post exposure/positive test result.
We will continue to screen for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to each visit. Symptoms may be mild, particularly for individuals who have received vaccinations. Symptoms of COVID-19 include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html
MASK USE UPDATE 5/25/2021
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS UPDATE 4/7/2021
In accordance with the CDC’s updated travel recommendations, we will no longer be restricting in-person services to clients who have been fully vaccinated following travel out of state. However, for clients that are not fully vaccinated, we will restrict in-person services for 7-10 days following travel out of state. A client may return to in-person services 7 days post out of state travel if he/she has a negative COVID test (preferably viral test) 3-5 days after traveling. Without a negative test, in-person services are restricted for 10 days following travel out of state. We will continue to offer telehealth services during this time. The current recommendations from the CDC can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS UPDATE 12/24/2020
The Kentucky Department for Public Health revised travel advisory guidelines on December 14, 2020 to discourage out-of-state leisure travel until further notice. We are asking that all clients restrict in-person services for 14 days following travel outside of Kentucky. Telehealth services can be utilized during this time. Our staff and therapists will be following these guidelines as well.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS UPDATE 12/12/2020
We are continuing to follow state, CDC, and White House guidelines in relation to COVID-19 and maintaining the health of our clients, staff, and therapists. The following states are among those with a positivity rate above 15%: Idaho, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Iowa, Alabama, Arizona, Mississippi, Ohio, Nevada, Utah, Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. We ask that our clients suspend in-person therapies and/or utilize telehealth services for a period of 14 days following travel to one of those states, with special attention to Ohio and Tennessee, as they are border states. Our staff and therapists will be following these recommendations as well. We will continue standard screening for COVID-19 symptoms and exposure, maintain mask compliance and social distancing, and continually sanitize environments for our in-person services.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS UPDATE 7/30/2020
In our efforts to maintain the health and safety of our clients, staff, and therapists, we continue to follow the state, CDC, and White House guidelines related to COVID-19. This includes Governor Beshear’s recent travel advisory recommendations. We are asking our clients to follow the 14 day self-quarantine recommendations following travel to states reporting positive COVID-19 testing rates of 15% or greater. As of this date, those states include Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas, and Mississippi. Our staff and therapists will be following these recommendations as well. We will be continuing to ask the standard COVID-19 screening questions, perform temperature checks, and maintain mask compliance. We are happy to help clients transition to telehealth during time of quarantine if desired. Thank you for your understanding as we aim to create the safest environment possible for our clients, therapists, and staff.
RE-OPENING UPDATE 6/15/2020
As we transition back to the office, we are working hard to ensure safety and make the process go as smoothly as possible. We have been excited about the progress we have been seeing in telehealth therapy. We are happy to continue seeing clients through telehealth or to see clients using a mix of office and telehealth sessions.
Procedures to follow for office visits: Please take your temperature prior to leaving the house on the date of the appointment. Upon arrival, please call the office from your car. We will ask the COVID-19 exposure questions and then your therapist will meet you at your vehicle. The therapist will take the temperature of anyone entering the office at your vehicle. All clients over the age of 2 should wear a mask into the office, and, if over 5, ideally throughout the session. For initial evaluations, we will allow a parent to accompany the child in and remain in the evaluation room with the child. However, the parent will also need to wear a mask. When there is an established relationship, we will ask parents to remain in the car as often as possible. Clients and family members will wash their hands upon entering the office and will be asked to do so prior to being escorted out. Only one family member is allowed per client; others must remain outside the office. Clients and the attending family member will be asked to remain in the therapy room during the sessions.
What we will do: We will wear masks, practice social distancing whenever possible, keep our doors open throughout the office, and clean each office diligently before and after each room and space is used. We will check your insurance benefits prior to your arrival. Payment is due at the time of service. We would prefer payment via Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or electronic check made over the phone and would be happy to put a card on file for your convenience. If you need to make payment in the office, we can take personal check, money order, cash, or credit card, but will be unable to give change at this time. We are happy to email you a receipt for your records.
We appreciate your understanding as we work to make this process as smooth as possible while still protecting the health and safety of our clients, therapists, and staff. Please contact us if you have any questions.
RE-OPENING UPDATE 5/8/2020
We are looking forward to seeing our clients in-person again and will be opening the Greatstone office on Monday, May 11. This is a very limited re-opening, as the safety of our clients, therapists, and staff is of utmost importance. We will be continuing telehealth services for as long as necessary, particularly for at-risk clients and families, in addition to in-person therapy and evaluations.
As we transition back to in-person services, we will be following guidelines from the CDC and the state of Kentucky. These guidelines are constantly evolving. At this time, the following policies will be implemented:
All clients over the age of 2 years will be required to wear a mask. If you are desiring in-person visits, please practice at home to help get accustomed to wearing a mask. We have posted social story resources for wearing masks on our Facebook page. Keep in mind that clients will be needing to wear a mask for a minimum of 30 minutes.
All clients will be screened prior to scheduled sessions. This includes taking temperatures at home (and on-site if necessary), as well as assessing risk factors such as respiratory issues, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues.
In-person services will not be allowed for clients who have had a fever, cough, excessive fatigue, or flu symptoms for the last 24 days. In-person services will also not be allowed for clients with close contact with person(s) who have been diagnosed with (or suspected diagnosis of) COVID-19 within the last 30 days.
Check-in for scheduled sessions will be completed via phone call.
Clients will only be allowed to enter the office for sessions unless the client is a minor or needs physical assistance. Parents, caregivers, and siblings may wait in the parking lot during sessions, as the waiting area will be closed.
Hand washing at the beginning and end of sessions will be mandatory, including both client and therapist.
Co-payments or other financial transactions will be taken via phone/mail in order to reduce in-person contact. Scheduling will also be completed via phone/electronic mail. No exchange of paper will be completed.
Therapy visit times will be staggered to avoid contact with others. Common areas will not be used. There will be a limited number of therapists and clients in the office at any given time. Social distancing practices will be maintained as much as possible.
Therapists and office staff will clean equipment and materials before and after use, as well as at the beginning and end of the day. Some equipment use, such as with gross motor and sensory equipment, will be limited in order to maintain sanitary standards.
Thank you to all of you for your patience during this time! We are continuing to strive for providing the best and safest practices for all of our clients and families.