Cedar Valley Medical Specialists, PC Physical Therapy (PT-UNI

My elderly mother enjoyed the therapists and the care she received after a fall. But our family members are highly concerned that the staff is not wearing masks. I called and spoke to a person who said he is the manager. He told me that the therapist will wear a mask if a patient asks But they must ask specifically. However, my mother is elderly and would simply not be bold enough to ask that her therapist put on a mask. I did not discover this problem until after she was seen a few times. We don’t go in with her due to the viral pandemic.nnThe manager told me that masks “don’t really help anyway, do they?” Nevertheless, the Center for Disease Control states, “Wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations. Cloth face coverings may slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.” The Iowa Dept. of Public Health advises, “Wearing a cloth face covering in public can help protect others. It is important to protect the Iowans most vulnerable to serious complications of COVID-19, including older Iowans, and those with underlying health issues like heart disease, chronic lung disease, asthma, those who have suppressed immune systems, and those who are severely obese.“ I assume that many of the patients who are under the care of this physical therapy group fit this high risk group or have family members who are vulnerable. When I told the manager that our tertiary care center, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics require all staff to wear masks and shields, he responded, “Well, I know what they are like.” I wonder what he meant by this.nnI am shocked over this seeming lack of care, especially in a medical clinic. When I spoke with the manager, he made it sound like their various sites do whatever they want regarding wearing PPE. The response to my concern was, “I will make a call.” I hope he was calling someone to understands the risks of COVID-19 and that he did not just call one of their group to complain about me or call to order a pizza. He would not clarify who he planned to call.nnI ask that Cedar Valley Medical Specialists Physical Therapy would follow the recommendation of our leaders in infectious disease in our country and state. More importantly, please show that you care about the vulnerable population who you are treating.

Great group of dedicated and healing people who make therapy fun while getting you to your goals! Thanks everyone!