March/April 2023 Updates
An update on the Oregon masking mandate for healthcare settings:
The Oregon Health authority is discontinuing the mask mandate for healthcare settings effective April 3rd. This means that masks will no longer be required in health care settings.
Here's our plan and what it means for when in our facility:
Starting April 3rd masks will become optional in clinic. This means that staff and clients are not required to wear a mask, however we will maintain a foundation of respect for comfort level of those clients and staff members who continue to wear a mask.
Out of compassion and consideration, if a client prefers to wear a mask, they are welcome and encouraged to ask their clinician to wear one as well.
Everyone is strongly encouraged to get up to date on your vaccines now. Flu vaccines and COVID boosters are available now: https://www.deschutes.org/health/page/covid-19-vaccine
If you have any symptoms of illness please reschedule your appointment, or we will be happy to convert your appointment to a telehealth visit.
If a client or their visitor presents for an appointment and appears to have symptoms, our staff reserve the right to ask them to wear a mask.
We continue to run high powered HEPA filters in each treatment room, sanitize rooms between each client, and staff are all up to date on vaccinations.
Thanks for your cooperation and support while we've all endured and cared for one another these last few years. Let's keep going!
The Oregon Health authority is discontinuing the mask mandate for healthcare settings effective April 3rd. This means that masks will no longer be required in health care settings.
Here's our plan and what it means for when in our facility:
Starting April 3rd masks will become optional in clinic. This means that staff and clients are not required to wear a mask, however we will maintain a foundation of respect for comfort level of those clients and staff members who continue to wear a mask.
Out of compassion and consideration, if a client prefers to wear a mask, they are welcome and encouraged to ask their clinician to wear one as well.
Everyone is strongly encouraged to get up to date on your vaccines now. Flu vaccines and COVID boosters are available now: https://www.deschutes.org/health/page/covid-19-vaccine
If you have any symptoms of illness please reschedule your appointment, or we will be happy to convert your appointment to a telehealth visit.
If a client or their visitor presents for an appointment and appears to have symptoms, our staff reserve the right to ask them to wear a mask.
We continue to run high powered HEPA filters in each treatment room, sanitize rooms between each client, and staff are all up to date on vaccinations.
Thanks for your cooperation and support while we've all endured and cared for one another these last few years. Let's keep going!
July 1, 2022 Updates
COVID's not over! Unfortunately.
As a healthcare facility we are continuing to require masking in our facility. Please remember to bring your mask with you to your visit.
Cases are on the rise again in our community; while hospitalizations are lower than with previous variants, the current variant is highly transmissable. Here are some details from the CDC with current data on exposure and isolation recommendations.
If you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or have had and completely recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days, and are in contact w/ someone who has COVID, you are considered a close contact.
If you are not vaccinated, and are in contact w/ someone who has COVID, you are considered an exposure.
CLOSE CONTACTS
A close contact is someone who was less than 6 feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more during a 24-hour period. If you had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and you are in one of the following groups, you do not need to quarantine:
If you are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, you should wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of your last close contact with someone with COVID-19
(the date of last close contact is considered day 0).
Get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
EXPOSURES
If you were exposed to COVID-19 and are NOT up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, stay home and quarantine for at least 5 full days.
Wear a well-fitting mask if you must be around others in your home.
Do not travel.
Get tested (even if you don’t develop symptoms), at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
Take precautions and watch for symptoms until day 10
As a healthcare facility we are continuing to require masking in our facility. Please remember to bring your mask with you to your visit.
Cases are on the rise again in our community; while hospitalizations are lower than with previous variants, the current variant is highly transmissable. Here are some details from the CDC with current data on exposure and isolation recommendations.
If you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or have had and completely recovered from COVID-19 in the last 90 days, and are in contact w/ someone who has COVID, you are considered a close contact.
If you are not vaccinated, and are in contact w/ someone who has COVID, you are considered an exposure.
CLOSE CONTACTS
A close contact is someone who was less than 6 feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more during a 24-hour period. If you had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and you are in one of the following groups, you do not need to quarantine:
- You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines.
- You had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days
If you are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, you should wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of your last close contact with someone with COVID-19
(the date of last close contact is considered day 0).
Get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
EXPOSURES
If you were exposed to COVID-19 and are NOT up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, stay home and quarantine for at least 5 full days.
Wear a well-fitting mask if you must be around others in your home.
Do not travel.
Get tested (even if you don’t develop symptoms), at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
Take precautions and watch for symptoms until day 10
March 1, 2022 Updates
On March 12th the Oregon Health Authority is lifting masking mandates for indoor activities and schools.
Please note that this does NOT apply to healthcare settings. At this time all of Synergy's staff and clients will be asked to mask for the duration of their visit with us.
https://covidblog.oregon.gov/mask-mandate-stays-in-place-for-oregon-health-care-settings/
Forget your mask? No problem! We have some at the desk and will gladly provide one for you.
We continue to encourage clients who have known exposure or are symptomatic of illness to reschedule their appointments. In addition to masking and vaccination for all of our staff, we continue to stagger client appointment arrival times, sanitize treatment rooms and facilities regularly, and utilize high powered HEPA filtration systems in each room.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of small business.
Please note that this does NOT apply to healthcare settings. At this time all of Synergy's staff and clients will be asked to mask for the duration of their visit with us.
https://covidblog.oregon.gov/mask-mandate-stays-in-place-for-oregon-health-care-settings/
Forget your mask? No problem! We have some at the desk and will gladly provide one for you.
We continue to encourage clients who have known exposure or are symptomatic of illness to reschedule their appointments. In addition to masking and vaccination for all of our staff, we continue to stagger client appointment arrival times, sanitize treatment rooms and facilities regularly, and utilize high powered HEPA filtration systems in each room.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of small business.
Jan 1, 2022 Updates
As we roll into a new year, our team is still going above and beyond recommendations for COVID safety.
Our entire team are vaxxed, and those who qualify (based on time since last vaccine) are boosted.
We continue to offer virtual services for those seeking nutrition therapies and diabetes education.
All clients and visitors who come in to the office sign a waiver verifying that they do not have any symptoms or known exposure to COVID. Everyone is required to wear a mask and wash their hands upon entry to the building.
If you are feeling sick, or have a known exposure to COVID-19, please cancel your appointment.
You may be wondering, "what procedures is Synergy following in regards to COVID exposure and illness among their team?" Great question!
Our team are continuing to mask and sanitize work spaces regularly. Every treatment room and the living room has a high powered HEPA filtration system in place.
Our staff do not come to work when they are feeling ill, period.
The CDC recently updated their guidelines for quarantine and isolation periods after an infection or known exposure, to only 5-10 days and state that vaccinated and boosted folks who have a known exposure but are asymptomatic may continue to work. We will NOT be following that guidance. After a know exposure, our staff will isolate for 5 days and produce a negative test before returning to work. This is our commitment to the health and safety of each of you.
If a staff member were to test positive for COVID, they will quarantine for up to 14 days or when they produce a negative test result-whichever comes first.
Our entire team are vaxxed, and those who qualify (based on time since last vaccine) are boosted.
We continue to offer virtual services for those seeking nutrition therapies and diabetes education.
All clients and visitors who come in to the office sign a waiver verifying that they do not have any symptoms or known exposure to COVID. Everyone is required to wear a mask and wash their hands upon entry to the building.
If you are feeling sick, or have a known exposure to COVID-19, please cancel your appointment.
You may be wondering, "what procedures is Synergy following in regards to COVID exposure and illness among their team?" Great question!
Our team are continuing to mask and sanitize work spaces regularly. Every treatment room and the living room has a high powered HEPA filtration system in place.
Our staff do not come to work when they are feeling ill, period.
The CDC recently updated their guidelines for quarantine and isolation periods after an infection or known exposure, to only 5-10 days and state that vaccinated and boosted folks who have a known exposure but are asymptomatic may continue to work. We will NOT be following that guidance. After a know exposure, our staff will isolate for 5 days and produce a negative test before returning to work. This is our commitment to the health and safety of each of you.
If a staff member were to test positive for COVID, they will quarantine for up to 14 days or when they produce a negative test result-whichever comes first.
October 1, 2021 Updates
Mask mandates are back in place throughout the state of Oregon. Mandate or no--we will continue to mask and ask that all clients and patients who enter our facility remain masked. If you don't have a mask, one will be provided for you. We continue to take the most cautious route when it comes to our COVID precautions and guidelines, in demonstration of our continued commitment to the safety of our clients and staff.
If you are not comfortable with masking indoors, ask us about our telehealth services!
Our entire team are fully vaccinated and grateful for the Science that attempts to get us once step closer to an end of this pandemic. If you'd like to get vaccinated here are links for more info: https://www.centraloregoncovidvaccine.com/
If you are not comfortable with masking indoors, ask us about our telehealth services!
Our entire team are fully vaccinated and grateful for the Science that attempts to get us once step closer to an end of this pandemic. If you'd like to get vaccinated here are links for more info: https://www.centraloregoncovidvaccine.com/
June 30, 2021 Updates
As of today, Oregon's Governor has lifted all county-risk levels and mask mandates throughout the state. Until we receive more sector-specific guidance on these issues, we will continue to mask and ask that all clients and patients who enter our facility remain masked. If you don't have a mask, one will be provided for you. We continue to take the most cautious route when it comes to our COVID precautions and guidelines, in demonstration of our continued commitment to the safety of our clients and staff.
Here is the current statement from OHA:
"On June 30, 2021, Governor Kate Brown rescinded Executive Order 20-66 and many other executive orders that directed the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to issue enforceable guidance for various sectors of the state regarding COVID-19 restrictions. OHA is pulling down guidance documents, and in some cases will be posting public health recommendations or best practices for certain settings. The transition of documents may take a few days, so please keep checking back for updates.
Entities must continue to follow all applicable federal or state statutes, regulations and rules, and local ordinances."
Here is the current statement from OHA:
"On June 30, 2021, Governor Kate Brown rescinded Executive Order 20-66 and many other executive orders that directed the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to issue enforceable guidance for various sectors of the state regarding COVID-19 restrictions. OHA is pulling down guidance documents, and in some cases will be posting public health recommendations or best practices for certain settings. The transition of documents may take a few days, so please keep checking back for updates.
Entities must continue to follow all applicable federal or state statutes, regulations and rules, and local ordinances."
June 01, 2021 Updates
We remain open. Masking is required of all clients and staff, regardless of vaccination status.
We are still screening clients and staff for symptoms and risks, in addition to staggered staffing and increased sanitation practices. Our waiting room remains closed, so clients are asked to wait on the porch for their screening and to be admitted into the building. You will receive email confirmations and reminders which contain links to fill out all paperwork and screening online; in the event that you do not complete these forms online they will be waiting for you on the front porch.
We are optimistic that our small business will continue to weather this storm, with your support both through utilizing our services and also by staying safe so that you keep our staff safe. We ask that all of our clients continue to stay safe and GET VACCINATED so that we can move beyond this pandemic as soon as able. We continue to use PPE, distance, stagger, and stick to telehealth services whenever able.
See below for more details on our operations through the last year, and to date.
We are still screening clients and staff for symptoms and risks, in addition to staggered staffing and increased sanitation practices. Our waiting room remains closed, so clients are asked to wait on the porch for their screening and to be admitted into the building. You will receive email confirmations and reminders which contain links to fill out all paperwork and screening online; in the event that you do not complete these forms online they will be waiting for you on the front porch.
We are optimistic that our small business will continue to weather this storm, with your support both through utilizing our services and also by staying safe so that you keep our staff safe. We ask that all of our clients continue to stay safe and GET VACCINATED so that we can move beyond this pandemic as soon as able. We continue to use PPE, distance, stagger, and stick to telehealth services whenever able.
See below for more details on our operations through the last year, and to date.
May 02, 2021 Updates
Deschutes County has been labeled "Extreme-Risk" Category for the spread of COVID-19.
We remain open.
We are still screening clients and staff for symptoms and risks, in addition to staggered staffing, additional time between clients for air exchange in the treatment rooms, and increased sanitation practices.
We are hopeful that our small business can continue to weather this storm, with your support both through utilizing our services but also by staying safe so that you keep our staff safe.
We are experiencing an increase in same day cancellations due to COVID exposures, symptoms, and sick contacts. We thank our clients for keeping us safe by not coming in when they are sick. If you would like to be on our call list for short-notice appointment availability, please contact us to help us keep our schedules full and our staff on board.
You may notice one change to our current screening forms--we have stopped asking the question about gathering numbers and proximity to others. This is NOT because the risks of gathering have decreased. With the return to full-time in-person learning, our children are no longer being distanced in the schools. Many of our clients are school-aged children so we were faced with the problem of no longer being able to accommodate these clients based on this screening tool, or continuing to serve the kiddos and being safe in every other way possible. So, we have stopped asking gathering questions but do ask that all of our clients continue to stay safe and GET VACCINATED so that we can move beyond this pandemic as soon as able. We will continue to use PPE, distance, stagger, and stick to telehealth services whenever able.
To reiterate, we still encourage all of our clients to follow the OHA and CDC guidelines for mask use, physical distancing, and minimizing gathering numbers.
See below for more details on our operations through the last year, and to date.
We remain open.
We are still screening clients and staff for symptoms and risks, in addition to staggered staffing, additional time between clients for air exchange in the treatment rooms, and increased sanitation practices.
We are hopeful that our small business can continue to weather this storm, with your support both through utilizing our services but also by staying safe so that you keep our staff safe.
We are experiencing an increase in same day cancellations due to COVID exposures, symptoms, and sick contacts. We thank our clients for keeping us safe by not coming in when they are sick. If you would like to be on our call list for short-notice appointment availability, please contact us to help us keep our schedules full and our staff on board.
You may notice one change to our current screening forms--we have stopped asking the question about gathering numbers and proximity to others. This is NOT because the risks of gathering have decreased. With the return to full-time in-person learning, our children are no longer being distanced in the schools. Many of our clients are school-aged children so we were faced with the problem of no longer being able to accommodate these clients based on this screening tool, or continuing to serve the kiddos and being safe in every other way possible. So, we have stopped asking gathering questions but do ask that all of our clients continue to stay safe and GET VACCINATED so that we can move beyond this pandemic as soon as able. We will continue to use PPE, distance, stagger, and stick to telehealth services whenever able.
To reiterate, we still encourage all of our clients to follow the OHA and CDC guidelines for mask use, physical distancing, and minimizing gathering numbers.
See below for more details on our operations through the last year, and to date.
May 15, 2020 Plan for Reopening
We're excited to announce that we will resume some in-clinic services on June 1, 2020.
We're following CDC, OSHA, OHA and Governor's recommendations for reopening.
Here's what our first phase of reopening will look like:
1) Our Dietitians and Nurse will continue to offer services via telehealth, and will resume in-clinic services with limited hours for those clients whom telehealth is not an option.
2) Our Massage Therapists will see clients between the hours of 9am-7pm with staggered schedules to decrease the total number of people in-office at one time. Additionally, we'll be alternating treatment room use to allow for disinfection and adequate air flow between each client.
3) Appointment times offered include 30 and 60-minute sessions. 90-minute sessions will not be offered at this time, as the duration of exposure is a factor.
4) Required mask use by clients while in the clinic. This protects everyone. Disposable masks will be provided for those who do not have one. (At both our main clinic and High Lakes locations)
5) Waiting room closure: please arrive on time for your appointments and wait in your car or on the front porch seating area for your appointment time. Your provider will let you in just prior to your start time.
6) We've transitioned to electronic forms, scheduling, and payment methods for decreased time in clinic and exposure risk. We'll be calling you just prior to your scheduled appointment for screening and payment arrangements.
Please reschedule your appointment if you have experienced any of the following:
7) Clients and staff will have their temperature checked using infrared scan thermometer upon entry to the building each visit. (At both our main clinic and High Lakes locations)
8) Clients will be asked to review and sign an assumption of risk and liability notice. Read here to understand how COVID-19 is spread, so that you may make informed decisions.
**A note about required mask use by clients and providers:
Some of our staff are living with folks who are elderly or immuno-compromised, and many of our clients are in higher risk groups as well. Because of this, we are practicing EXTRA caution in reducing risk of exposure. There is no risk in extra precaution, however there is great risk in inadequate precaution. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we all work together to take care of one-another. We can't wait to get back in clinic and back to serving you and your health needs!
We're following CDC, OSHA, OHA and Governor's recommendations for reopening.
Here's what our first phase of reopening will look like:
1) Our Dietitians and Nurse will continue to offer services via telehealth, and will resume in-clinic services with limited hours for those clients whom telehealth is not an option.
2) Our Massage Therapists will see clients between the hours of 9am-7pm with staggered schedules to decrease the total number of people in-office at one time. Additionally, we'll be alternating treatment room use to allow for disinfection and adequate air flow between each client.
3) Appointment times offered include 30 and 60-minute sessions. 90-minute sessions will not be offered at this time, as the duration of exposure is a factor.
4) Required mask use by clients while in the clinic. This protects everyone. Disposable masks will be provided for those who do not have one. (At both our main clinic and High Lakes locations)
5) Waiting room closure: please arrive on time for your appointments and wait in your car or on the front porch seating area for your appointment time. Your provider will let you in just prior to your start time.
6) We've transitioned to electronic forms, scheduling, and payment methods for decreased time in clinic and exposure risk. We'll be calling you just prior to your scheduled appointment for screening and payment arrangements.
Please reschedule your appointment if you have experienced any of the following:
- fever, cough, or other COVID-19 symptoms
- sick contacts in the last 14 days
- international or air-travel of any sort in the last 14 days
7) Clients and staff will have their temperature checked using infrared scan thermometer upon entry to the building each visit. (At both our main clinic and High Lakes locations)
8) Clients will be asked to review and sign an assumption of risk and liability notice. Read here to understand how COVID-19 is spread, so that you may make informed decisions.
**A note about required mask use by clients and providers:
Some of our staff are living with folks who are elderly or immuno-compromised, and many of our clients are in higher risk groups as well. Because of this, we are practicing EXTRA caution in reducing risk of exposure. There is no risk in extra precaution, however there is great risk in inadequate precaution. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we all work together to take care of one-another. We can't wait to get back in clinic and back to serving you and your health needs!
"I just want to be by people and touch them again."-Lindsey Rux, LMT
(We're all right there with you Lindsey!)
April 30, 2020 Operations Update
Our team has been busy researching, cleaning and adapting so that we are ready to resume operations in-clinic. We've used this downtime to perform deep-clean of the clinic as well as making arrangements for the new landscape of operations as we resume. We're following guidelines set forth by OSHA, CDC, state licensing boards, professional organizations, and participating in industry-specific work-groups to determine best practices. We are consulting experts and colleagues in other healthcare professions to learn about their best practices and recommendations. Note that Governor Brown has NOT yet allowed massage therapy practices to resume; we anticipate that massage services will be included in the 2nd or 3rd wave of reopening. Nutrition therapy and nursing services are currently available via telehealth.
Here's an update on what you can expect from us when we reopen:
1) HEPA Air filtration systems have been installed in each room and will cycle the air a minimum of 3 times per hour
2) Staggered staffing and client schedules to decrease total number of people in clinic at a time, therefore decreasing exposure risk. Alternating treatment room use to allow for disinfection and adequate air flow between each client.
3) Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)* by clinicians and required mask use by clients while in clinic. This protects everyone (you, your provider, our other clients, and our family members.)
*Note: We consider it our responsibility as members of the local healthcare community to first allocate PPE supply to our frontline caregivers, those who are actively testing and treating COVID-19 patients, so we will only reopen once we can access PPE without competing for supply with these providers.
4) Increased sanitation procedures after every client (complete disinfection of all non-pourous surfaces)
5) Change in laundry service to an external service for guaranteed high-temp disinfection practices
6) Transitioned to electronic forms, scheduling, and payment methods for decreased time in clinic and exposure risk.
7) Purchased temporal scan thermometer for temperature checks of staff and clients upon arrival each day.
Here's what we'll be asking of you:
1) Please arrive on time for your appointments and wait in your car or on the front porch seating area for your appointment time. Your provider will let you in just prior to your start time.
2) Please reschedule your appointment if you have experienced any of the following:
fever, cough, or other COVID-19 symptoms
sick contacts in the last 14 days
international or air-travel of any sort in the last 14 days
*You will NOT be charged for reschedules for the above listed reasons. No-show will continue to be charged.
3) Please agree to a temporal thermometer scan upon entry to the building each visit.
4) Please wear a mask with filter for the duration of your visit in clinic. Disposable masks will be provided for those who do not have one.
This sounds like a lot, doesn't it? That's our level of commitment to you. In spirit of community, we are taking every precaution to reduce harm. There is no risk in extra precautions, however there is great risk in inadequate precautions. We can't wait to get back in clinic and back to serving you and your health needs.
Here's an update on what you can expect from us when we reopen:
1) HEPA Air filtration systems have been installed in each room and will cycle the air a minimum of 3 times per hour
2) Staggered staffing and client schedules to decrease total number of people in clinic at a time, therefore decreasing exposure risk. Alternating treatment room use to allow for disinfection and adequate air flow between each client.
3) Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)* by clinicians and required mask use by clients while in clinic. This protects everyone (you, your provider, our other clients, and our family members.)
*Note: We consider it our responsibility as members of the local healthcare community to first allocate PPE supply to our frontline caregivers, those who are actively testing and treating COVID-19 patients, so we will only reopen once we can access PPE without competing for supply with these providers.
4) Increased sanitation procedures after every client (complete disinfection of all non-pourous surfaces)
5) Change in laundry service to an external service for guaranteed high-temp disinfection practices
6) Transitioned to electronic forms, scheduling, and payment methods for decreased time in clinic and exposure risk.
7) Purchased temporal scan thermometer for temperature checks of staff and clients upon arrival each day.
Here's what we'll be asking of you:
1) Please arrive on time for your appointments and wait in your car or on the front porch seating area for your appointment time. Your provider will let you in just prior to your start time.
2) Please reschedule your appointment if you have experienced any of the following:
fever, cough, or other COVID-19 symptoms
sick contacts in the last 14 days
international or air-travel of any sort in the last 14 days
*You will NOT be charged for reschedules for the above listed reasons. No-show will continue to be charged.
3) Please agree to a temporal thermometer scan upon entry to the building each visit.
4) Please wear a mask with filter for the duration of your visit in clinic. Disposable masks will be provided for those who do not have one.
This sounds like a lot, doesn't it? That's our level of commitment to you. In spirit of community, we are taking every precaution to reduce harm. There is no risk in extra precautions, however there is great risk in inadequate precautions. We can't wait to get back in clinic and back to serving you and your health needs.