Return to Practice
Return to Practice Resources
As Canadian provinces re-open their economies, an evolving new normal for chiropractic practice is expected. Ensuring the safety of patients, staff and yourself in this shifting environment is your top priority. And the first step to achieve safety is to inform yourself and follow the indications of your regulatory college and public health authorities. This page supplements those indications with high-level considerations of the areas you need to cover in the planning and implementation of your return to practice.
Return to Practice Video Resources
CCA Responds: Making Decisions in Preparation for Return to Practice
Speakers: Dr. Debbie Wright, Dr. Vince Adams, Dr. Clark Mills, Alison Dantas
Date: May 11, 2020
CCA Responds: Risk Management Issues and Best Practices for Returning to Practice
Speakers: Dr. Dean Wright and Dr. Gerald Olin
Date: May 14, 2020
Provinces/territories with re-opening plans
Most provincial and territorial governments are reopening their provinces and territories individually while limiting the risk of the further spread of COVID-19. As part of those efforts, they are including access to healthcare services, including chiropractic, which foresee patients being able to see chiropractors in person. Chiropractic regulatory colleges are participating by aligning their directives with provincial efforts.
The content that follows is updated regularly. A government or college is not listed when they have not issued plans publicly.
British Columbia
College of Chiropractic of British Columbia
- November 7: CCBC URGENT NOTICE: COVID-19 Orders and Mandatory Medical Masks
- June 19: Return to Practice-Resiliency Planning
- May 19: Providing In-person Community Care in BC During COVID-19
- May 19: Providing in-person care during COVID-19: Guidance for registrants
Province of British Columbia
- October 27: State of emergency extended to continue B.C.’s COVID-19 response
- October 13: State of emergency extended to continue B.C.’s COVID-19 response
- September 17: New plan maps next steps forward in B.C.’s economic recovery
- September 9: Minister’s statement on federal extension of commercial rent assistance
- September 3: Province confirms tax measure implementation dates, deferral deadlines for businesses
- September 3: Temporary layoff extensions protect thousands of jobs
- August 24: Province introduces new measures to enforce COVID-19 public safety
- July 15: New supports for post-secondary students this fall
- July 3: Support service helps over 4,200 businesses during pandemic
- June 24: Province tables economic stabilization act, confirms COVID-19 supports
- June 22: New act will help formalize, unwind emergency orders
- June 5: Order extended to allow health-care workers and other public sector staff to use communication technology
Alberta
Government of Alberta
- July 17: Alberta Premier Jason Kenney welcomes $19 billion Safe Restart Agreement
- June 29: Alberta’s Recovery Plan: Creating jobs, building, diversifying
- June 25: Expanding access to COVID-19 testing
- June 23: Alberta to invest in targeted serology testing
- June 22: Alberta’s free mask distribution a huge success
- June 18: Continuing support for Albertans during COVID-19: Bill 24, the COVID-19 Pandemic Response Statutes Amendment Act, proposes measures to support Albertans as the province continues to reopen.
- June 5: New relaunch supports for businesses – new grant funding, commercial eviction suspension, WCB premium deferrals
- May 30: Expanded mental health supports for Albertans
- May 25: New tool available for commercial rent feedback
Alberta College & Association of Chiropractors
- Returning to Practice webpage
- August 12: Notice to Members – August 11, 2020, COVID-19 update
- May 4: Our Clinics are adjusting to keep you safe
Saskatchewan
Government of Saskatchewan
- July 13: More Health Services Resume, Universal Testing Begins This Week
- June 24: Re-Open Saskatchewan: Libraries, Museums, Galleries And Theatres Can Re-Open On June 29 And Several Updates To Guidelines
- June 11: Re-Open Saskatchewan: New Guidelines For Phase 4, Updated Information For Places Of Worship And Additional Options For Graduation Ceremonies
- June 10: Next Phase Of SHA Service Resumption To Start June 16
- June 4: Saskatchewan re-opening phase 3 begins June 8
- May 8: Emergency Support Program For Saskatchewan Small Businesses Extended
Chiropractors’ Association of Saskatchewan
- May 7: Policy on COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control
- May 4: Our Clinics are adjusting to keep you safe
Manitoba
Government of Manitoba
- November 6: State of emergency extension supports covid-19 pandemic work
- October 26: Province proposes legislative amendments for covid-19 job-protected leave
- October 19: Manitoba government permanently amends regulations to allow electronic business submissions
- October 9: State of emergency extension supports COVID-19 pandemic work
- September 19: Manitobans reminded minimum wage will increase Oct. 1
- September 15: Manitoba further expands back to work wage subsidy program
- September 11: Province renews nine emergency measures act orders as part of covid-19 response
- September 11: State of emergency extension supports covid-19 pandemic work
- September 10: Labour force statistics for august demonstrate continued success of provincial support programs
- August 27: Manitoba government enhances back to work wage subsidy program
- August 13: Enhancements to made-in-Manitoba app help Manitoba businesses stay safe
- July 15: Province expands ‘Back to Work’ wage subsidy program
- July 14: Province calls on federal government to redesign CERB program to encourage Canadians to return to work full time
- June 24: Measures to make life more affordable for Manitobans take effect July 1
- May 13: Province helps connect Manitoba businesses with PPE
Manitoba Chiropractors Association
Ontario
Government of Ontario
- October 20: Ontario Protects Workers, Volunteers and Organizations Who Make Honest Efforts to Follow COVID-19 Public Health Guidelines and Laws
- October 20: Ontario Extends COVID-19 Orders to Protect the Public
- October 13: Ontario Helps Keep Energy Costs Low for Families, Small Businesses and Farmers
- October 9: Ontario Implementing Additional Public Health Measures in Toronto, Ottawa and Peel Region
- October 7: Ontario Supports Small Main Street Businesses with $60 Million in Funding through PPE Grant
- October 1: Ontario Delivers $2.8 Billion COVID-19 Fall Preparedness Plan
- October 1: Fall Preparedness Plan for Health, Long-Term Care and Education: Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-1
- September 29: New Public Health Measures Implemented Provincewide to Keep Ontarians Safe
- September 22: Ontario Investing to Support Francophone Businesses and Recovery
- September 19: Ontario Limits the Size of Unmonitored and Private Social Gatherings across Entire Province
- September 17: Ontario Introduces Legislation to Freeze Residential Rent in 2021
- September 15: Health Preparedness and Rebuilding the Economy Top Priorities in Ontario’s Fall Legislative Agenda
- September 11: New Research Projects Aim to Improve Ontario’s Response to COVID-19
- September 4: Ontario Extends Support for Employers and Employees Impacted by COVID-19
- August 21: Ontario Partners with Federal Government and 3M Canada on New N95 Respirator Manufacturing Facility
- June 17: Ontario Pauses Commercial Evictions
- June 16: Ontario Releases Guide on How to Develop a Workplace Safety Plan
- June 15: Ontario Helps Local Business Test and Certify Medical-Grade PPE
- June 11: Ontario and Canada helping small businesses go digital
- June 1: Ontario Extending Infectious Disease Emergency Leave for Workers during COVID-19
- Guidance Documents for Health Professionals
- Contact Information for Public Health Units
College of Chiropractors of Ontario
- October 9: Ontario Implementing Additional Public Health Measures in Toronto, Ottawa and Peel Region – Friday, October 9, 2020
- August 12: President’s Message
- May 15: Guidance for Return to Practice for CCO Members when Authorized by Government
Quebec
Ordre des chiropraticiens du Quebec
- Sept 25: Guide synthèse de directives et recommandations pour la reprise complète de l’exercice de la chiropratique en contexte de pandémie (UPDATE)
- August 7: RAPPEL – Dépistage positif de la COVID-19
- June 8: Modifications des directives officielles-survêtement de protection
- June 1: Document préliminaire visant la reprise des soins chiropratiques élargis en contexte de pandémie à compter du 1er juin dans tout le Québec
- June 1: Summary Sheet: Clinic Setup
- May 13: Mise au point officielle
Government of Quebec
- June 8: Quebec enhances commercial rent relief by $140 million (In French)
- June 4: Quebec introduces new measures to prevent termination of commercial leases due to rent default until August 1
- June 4: New job placement service announced to support economic revival
Prince Edward Island
Government of Prince Edward Island
- September 29: New funding for Island businesses to support employees working from home
- August 31: Start-up business can apply to Ignition Fund
- July 15: Statement by Premier King on extension of the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
- June 23: Prince Edward Island prepares for Phase 4 of Renew PEI Together plan
Prince Edward Island Chiropractic Association
- May 1: Return to practice recommendations
New Brunswick
Government of New Brunswick
- November 5: Emergency order updated
- October 27: Mandatory masks in compliance with Human Rights Act
- October 8: Masks mandatory in indoor public places / exposure notification / changes to travel restrictions at Quebec border
- July 17: Safe restart agreement to address challenges of COVID-19 pandemic
- July 14: Amendments made to essential worker wage top-up program
- June 24: Revised/Atlantic provinces form travel bubble
- June 10: Amendments proposed to Emergency Measure
New Brunswick Chiropractic Association
- May 1: Return to practice operational plan and recommendations
- April 29: Return to practice recommendations
Nova Scotia
Government of Nova Scotia
- September 29: Government Extends Virtual Care Options
- September 19: No New Cases of COVID-19, State of Emergency Renewed
- September 17: Federal-Provincial Safe Restart Agreement Finalized
- September 14: Easing of Self-Isolation Requirements for Out-of-Province Rotational Workers
- August 24: No New Cases of COVID-19, State of Emergency Renewed
- August 4: Nurse Practitioner Education Incentive Expanded to Improve Primary Care Access
- July 16: Federal-Provincial Agreement to Help Nova Scotians Affected by COVID and Restart Economy
- June 26: Further lifting of restrictions, new gathering limits
- June 11: Province Invests in New Businesses, Innovation
- May 7: New Program Gives Health-care Workers Up to $2,000 Bonus
Nova Scotia Chiropractic Association
- September 25: Nova Scotia College of Chiropractors Board Regulation: Provisional Licensing
- September 25: New! Jurisprudence examinations date announced
- July 7: NSCC COVID-19 Pandemic Practice Directive (Revised)
Newfoundland and Labrador
Government of Newfoundland & Labrador
- October 29: Ministerial Statement – Newfoundland and Labrador’s Regulated Health Professional Governing Bodies Commended for Their Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- October 1: Budget 2020 Supports Families, Businesses and Communities During Global Pandemic
- June 24: Atlantic provinces form travel bubble
- June 24: Public Advisory: Newfoundland and Labrador to Enter Alert Level 2
- May 25: Applications Now Available for Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance Program
Key areas to consider
The following key areas to consider in your re-opening planning and implementation are essential to practice safely in the evolving COVID-19 environment. Always begin by informing yourself and following the indications of your regulatory college and public health authorities.
As the work environment has changed for you and your staff – you have new considerations about how to operate your clinic.
HR and Business Video Resources
Preparing for Return to Practice & Managing Best Practices for your People
Speakers: Chen Sasson and Jordan Rodney (MaxPeople HR & Rodney Employment Law)
Date: May 8, 2020
Hot Topics: Effectively Managing People & Avoiding Employment Related Legal Challenges in the COVID-19 pandemic
Speakers: Chen Sasson and Jordan Rodney (MaxPeople HR & Rodney Employment Law)
Date: May 13, 2020
MaxPeople HR Templates
Disclaimer: Canadian Chiropractic Association assumes no responsibility for the enforcement or effectiveness of its templates and policies. Always consult legal counsel and applicable Regulatory and/or Provincial requirements before implementing any new policies or procedures at your organization.
You need to adjust the patient experience from request to book an appointment, communications prior to arrival, coming to the clinic, treatment, payment and departure. While the following are the high-level areas to take into consideration, check with your regulator for specific indications to follow.
Download the PDF tip sheet of the content that follows.
Office layout
- Protective barrier at reception desk
- Location of signage and information materials
- Adjusting layout to be more conducive to physical distancing
- Removing magazines and toys
Potential office signage/documents
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Booking and pre-appointment communications
- Triage for those with greatest needs
- Screening questions
- Documents to share in advance
- Email/phone communications
- Scheduling to limit number of patients at any time to ensure physical distancing
Staff
- Training for new protocols
- Training for patient screening and PPE requirements
Patient arrival
- Staggering arrival times
- Procedures to limit on-site waiting
- Logistics of physical distancing
- Patient use of masks and gloves
- Screening procedures including questionnaire and handling potential positive COVID-19 case
Treatment
- PPE requirements
- Changing techniques to minimize close contact
- Disinfection of adjunct equipment and tools
Payment
- Procedures to decrease contact with surfaces and objects
- Direct billing procedures and touchless payment options
Cleaning and disinfection
- Cleaning surfaces and equipment after a patient visit
- Overall office cleaning including type of disinfectant used
How should I wear PPE?
It is highly recommended that you wear PPE since you come into close contact with patients, especially during manual procedures. Always begin by informing yourself and following the indications of your regulatory college and public health authorities on this matter.
Proper PPE use resources
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The CCA PPE supply initiative
The CCA has partnered with The Raw Office Inc. to help chiropractors offer a safe working environment for their staff and patients. This partnership allows members to purchase quality PPE supplies to be able to follow new safety protocols.
Why did CCA put together a PPE Supply Program for members?
The CCA heard from members about the lack of PPE and the concern that they would be required to have these supplies to meet back-to-work directives. We interviewed potential suppliers that could ensure a sufficient supply, that their products met Health Canada specifications, were licensed, and had reasonable pricing.
Why is pricing much higher in the current marketplace?
Pricing is higher than normal due to the lack of supply in the current emergency and the costs of air freight. There are also counterfeit products and the CCA has taken steps to ensure we are working with a reputable supplier with strict quality controls.
Prices will continue to fluctuate as the market evolves. As prices change, lower prices will be available to members. If you know of a supplier that is offering a better price or product, please let us know by emailing CCA at info@chiropractic.ca.
How long will it take to get my products?
It is difficult to provide exact shipping and delivery dates due to the delay in getting supplies into the country. As mentioned above, there are shortages for products – adding to the delay in processing orders. Currently, we estimate that orders will take approximately two business days to fill and four to seven business days to reach you. This approximate timing may fluctuate due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Check your tracking number from your shipping company to help determine the arrival for your order. As well, check your junk folder for updates as they may be wrongly sent there.
I do not need PPE – why is the CCA emailing me about this?
PPE requirements differ in each province. Check with your provincial regulators and public health authorities for the specific PPE requirements for chiropractors. You do not have to participate in this program, it is optional.
What is the cost of shipping in the CCA PPE program?
Understandably, pricing is higher than normal due to the lack of supply in the current emergency and the costs of air freight. Shipping is free in Canada for orders of more than $200. The flat rate is $20 for orders under $200. There is no shipping outside of Canada.
How do I use my discount code?
You received a discount code from the CCA by email. Use it in the promo box on the checkout page BEFORE you pay for your order. You need to do this prior to finalizing your order – the CCA cannot guarantee that the discount code can be applied after your order is confirmed.
How do I place an order?
Refer to emails from the CCA about ordering PPE or contact us at info@chiropractic.ca.