Physical Therapy office hygiene (infection, feet, clinic, patients)

[Easybreezy]

I've been going to a physical therapist office for tendonitis in my feet.

There is something that troubles me. No one, and I mean absolutely NO ONE, including the owner, washes, or cleans their hands between patients. I have yet to see one of the therapy tables wiped down between patients. I never see any of the gear, such as straps, balls, etc wiped clean between patients. A strap can go from my bare feet after I'm done with it to the next patient without being cleaned. Likewise, I have no idea where it's been before I get to use it.

Am I being overly picky here? I don't think I am. If you go to the gym, it is expected that you wipe down the equipment after using it. Yet I do not see this being done here.

I am considering discussing my concern with the owner of the facility.

[Gabbythecat]

Trouble is, in a PT clinic patients use a lot of equipment in a short amount of time. Is it necessary to wipe down each strap. etc each time a new patient uses it? In my clinic - which I think is a very well run clinic - they wipe down the tables where people have actually been laying down between patients. They also put clean pillowcases on the pillows and headrests of equipment (darned shuttle!). I havent noticed how often they wash their hands...but the clinic seems clean....

[moxiegal]

Yes. That should be regulated under health care infection control.

[Spazkat9696]

My PT clinic always washes down equipmentafter each person uses it, and the providers all wash hands before the appointment starts. Of course at mine the PT only works with one person the whole hour.

[moxiegal]

Read this;

http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/pdfs/guidelin...re-04-2011.pdf