After a nearly two-week closure, Allied Services Integrated Health System reopened rehabilitation centers in Carbondale and elsewhere across the region.
The closure allowed Allied staff to assess how best to keep patients and staff safe during the coronavirus pandemic, said Cathy Guzzi, assistant vice president of outpatient therapy at Allied Services.
“We reallocated and devoted disinfecting supplies, PPE (personal protection equipment) and staff to other facilities at Allied,” she explained.
During the brief closure, Allied Services Carbondale Rehab Center staff called patients up to three times a week to check in. The center offers physical, speech and occupational therapy services.
“We really have a responsibility to the community,” Guzzi said. “It’s hard when (patients) can’t find relief.”
Even so, Allied was committed to keeping rehabilitation clinics closed until staff was sure they could protect patients and staff.
The clinic, along with others in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming counties, reopened on May 11.
But before they did, staff removed and rearranged equipment and marked the floor to ensure patients and staff remained at least six feet apart, Guzzi said. They also created one-way foot traffic patterns, installed sneeze guards and made sure they had enough PPE for staff, including googles, masks, gloves and gowns. They also provide PPE to patients.
Patients and staff will be required to wear a mask. Waiting areas and treatment areas will be adjusted to make room for social distancing. Patients may be asked to use designated entrances to minimize contact with others. Staff members will check the body temperature and ask routine screening questions of all employees and patients upon entry.
Staff also use a disinfectant that kills germs in three minutes, a much stronger version of cleaning supplies available to the general public.
“Our priority is the safety of our patients, employees and their families” Guzzi said. “We have taken time to reorganize our patient care spaces and develop protocols that will allow us to provide important therapy services while protecting our patients and staff.”
A full list of other clinics that reopened earlier this month:
· Allied Services Dallas Rehab Center.
· Allied Services Dunmore Rehab Center.
· Allied Services Luger Scranton City Rehab Center.
· Allied Services Moscow Rehab Center.
· Allied Services Mountaintop Rehab Center.
· Allied Services Nanticoke Rehab Center.
· Allied Services Pittston Rehab Center.
· Allied Services Scranton Pediatric Center.
· Allied Services Spine & Sports Medicine Center.
· Allied Services Tunkhannock Rehab Center.
· Allied Services Wilkes-Barre Rehab Center.
· Allied Services Wilkes-Barre Pediatric Rehab Center.
Rehabilitation centers in Dickson City, Kingston and Taylor will remain closed as Allied Services assesses patient needs and prioritizes PPE across the organization, according to Allied.
Allied Services Aronica Wellness Center in Scranton and the fitness center at Allied Services Wilkes-Barre Rehab Center will remain closed. The pool at the Wilkes-Barre Rehab Center and Scranton Luger Rehab Center will be open for individual patient therapeutic use only.
For more information about outpatient therapy services during COVID-19, visit alliedservices.org