Hygiene in the physiotherapy practice

Physiotherapy means the treatment of physical injuries, diseases or abnormalities through a number of physical methods. Physical therapy, in short, focuses on the physical health of the patient. Since the health of the patient is the goal of the therapy, hygiene in the practice is an important part of the physiopracticioner’s day. Especially when dealing with vulnerable patients.

Importance of hygiene in the practice 

Keeping your practice clean and hygienic is important for a number of reasons.

1. To avoid the spreading of diseases 

Pathogens can be transmitted through furniture such as treatment tables and devices. Especially for the more vulnerable patients, such as children, the elderly and the immunosuppressed, the spreading of diseases through public spaces is a big risk. 

To keep your patients healthy and safe, furniture and devices should be kept clean. For the treatment table, use paper towels or terry towelling that can be replaced in between patients. Devices and the furniture itself can be kept hygienic by cleaning with a disinfectant spray and wipes.

But harmful microorganisms can even spread through the staff, which makes it very important for the practitioner to wash their hands in between patients. It is important to use a hand disinfection that prevents the transmission of viruses, bacteria, fungi and microorganisms, such as Dax Alcogel and Germstar.

2. To keep the practitioner safe and healthy 

Keeping your practice hygienic is not only a way to keep the patient healthy. Good hygiene also keeps the physiotherapy practitioner safe. For example, make sure to wear disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) such as a face mask, gloves, a gown, shoe covers and safety glasses.

3. To strengthen the relationship with the patient 

Improving the physical wellbeing of your patience means you as a practitioner have an obligation to keep your patients healthy and safe. But patients themselves also highly value a hygienic practice, as the results of research by the Dutch website hierhebikpijn.nl showed. When asked what they saw as most important in a physical therapy practice, 69% of the respondents said hygiene. That makes it, besides professional and proper treatment, the most important point chosen. 

To show the hygienic measures your practice takes, you can explicitly point them out to the patient. If you do not point them out, the patient will probably not notice the ergonomic, hygienic and comfort-based elements of your treatment devices and furniture.

Less work and more hygiene with the right product 

Physical therapists will always spend time on keeping their practice hygienic. But their work can be alleviated by choosing hygiene-centred products. At Gymna, we spent a lot of time on developing physiotherapy products and devices that focus on hygiene and ease for both practitioner and patient. In this article, we like to highlight three product choices that lighten the daily practice through smart (hygienic) developments.

1. Face support

The face support of a treatment table is one of the components that suffers the most, hygiene wise. Not only does it come in contact with sweat, it also has direct contact with other bodily fluids such as saliva and maybe even mucus, that have a higher risk of carrying pathogens. Keeping the face support clean is a very important measure in the hygiene of your practice. 

That is why Gymna introduces the Ergomax,which is soft, seamless, waterproof and washable. The Ergomax head support is easily removable and is washable. Because the Ergomax is waterproof, you can simply hold in under running water and easily wipe it down. This maximises hygiene. But the Ergomax is also a top choice for patient comfort, as can be read here. 

2. Paper towels 

Towels are an important part in physical therapy, both during treatment and exercise. Covering the treatment table with paper towels before the patient uses it, keeps it clean and hygienic. Paper towels are also handy to use when cleaning the treatment table with a spray. 

By choosing a treatment table with an integrated paper towel roll, paper towels are easier to access. Integrated towels are also made to fit the specific treatment table. Because the size matches the table, there is less of the table left uncovered, which increases hygiene. 

3. Constant patient position 

3-section treatment tables are widely used in physical therapy because of their flexibility. However, there are also downsides to the traditional 3-section treatment table. The greatest disadvantage being that the patient needs to rotate to switch to sitting position. This can be cumbersome, time-consuming and maybe even painful for the patient. 

In sitting position, there is a negative effect on hygiene with the patient’s feet resting on the head section. When turning again, the patients has to put their face on where their feet were just moments ago. 

Gymna has found the solution with the gymna.PRO, with a new CPP concept. This concept allows lying, sitting and kyphosis without the patient having to turn. This improves hygiene, as the feet no longer rest on the head section as with traditional 3-section tables.

Want to know about more measures you can take? 

Taking proper cleaning measures, such as towels, cleaning sprays and disinfectant hand care, are amongst the basic measures any practice should take to keep the practitioners and their patients healthy. By choosing treatment products that focus on hygiene, your practice can take the next step in keeping your practice hygienic, such the Gymna.Pro, which allows integrated paper towels, easy-to-clean face support and constant patient position. 

Would you like to discover more ways in which your treatment products can help you achieve an even better hygiene? Gymna is always happy to think along. 

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