Back to Practice—Post-Session Protocols

Post-Session Checklist

Immediately following a session, it is important to consider how you prepare for room sanitation. It is also imperative to have a follow-up plan in place for open communication regarding any COVID-19 symptoms displayed by you or your clients after the session.

Practitioner Sanitation Protocols

  • Upon leaving the treatment room, immediately undergo your handwashing protocol while the client dresses. Do not touch or adjust your face covering. Wash hands thoroughly, up to the elbows, using WHO guidelines for best practices
  • Do not remove your face mask until you’ve taken payment for services and the client has left. If you must handle cash, check, or credit cards, do so using a pair of disposable gloves. Once the client leaves, dispose of the gloves, and remove your uniform shirt or apron, folding it in on itself and keeping the soiled surfaces inside. Place in a lidded container for daily laundry removal and wash hands before next removing your face mask carefully for additional uses. Finally, redress in a clean shirt.
  • Hand hygiene after removing PPE or clothing is particularly important to remove any pathogens that might have been transferred to bare hands during the removal process. If hands are visibly soiled, use soap and water before applying alcohol-based hand sanitizer. For the removal of masks, the CDC says you must wash your hands both before and after removal. (See more PPE guidelines in blog post)
  • Begin room sanitation.

Post-Session Client Interaction

  • Have a post-session check-in with client 2–3 days later to ask typical session-follow-up questions, but also to ask about their overall health. Create a protocol that a client will call you and you will call a client if either start showing any apparent COVID-19 symptoms.

News

Utah Proposes Rules for Lower Tiers of Massage Licensure

The proposed rules establish educational training, supervisory roles, examinations, renewal requirements, and unprofessional conduct for massage assistants and massage assistants-in-training. Express your thoughts and suggestions for how you think these massage therapy lower-licensing tiers should be regulated in Utah before December 15.

Vacancies on the Oregon Massage Board

There are two seats open to licensed massage therapists. You must be nominated by a massage organization for a vacancy, and ABMP can help nominate you. Let us know if you're interested and find out how to apply!

Massage School Programs at Risk Across the Country

The US Department of Education issued final rules on October 31 that will likely greatly impact clock-hour programs in states with minimum clock-hour requirements for licensure or certification, including massage therapy. The new rule is flawed and, if not changed, will cause devastating collateral damage to schools, instructors, students, and the public. Find out how you can advocate!

Blog

Benefits

Featured ABMP Discount Partner: MassageBook

Save time, stress less, and make an honest living improving lives with the only practice management software purpose-built for the independent massage therapist.

Please note: We have recently updated our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Learn more...