The College of Nurses of Ontario has kindly honoured my request for verification on policies in regards to the gradual opening of medical aesthetics practice. With CNO’s permission, we are sharing that letter with you.
Dear Tracey,
I appreciate that you want to share this information and want to emphasize the gradual reopening of services to help ensure patient safety.
Health sector restart
- As of May 26, 2020, all deferred, non-essential and elective services carried out by health care providers may be gradually restarted by following the steps set out in Directive #2 Requirements for Health Care Providers. You are encouraged to limit the number of in-person visits. However, if they are necessary, you must follow the measures outlined in COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart.
- As a health care provider, you are in the best position to determine which services should continue to be provided virtually and which should be provided in-person. Decision-making should be guided by best clinical evidence and the principles found on pages 4–5 of Directive #2.
- When deciding about providing in-person nursing care, in addition to the COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart document, the following resources provide additional information you must consider:
o Risk and benefits
- Ethics Practice Standard, Page 5 “Client Well Being”
- Code of Conduct, Indicator 3.2
o Rationale
- Decisions about Procedures and Authority Practice Standard, Page 6
o Protecting patients from harm
- COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart pgs. 3-4
- Code of Conduct, Indicators 5.3 and 6.4
- As a nurse, you remain accountable to practice according to CNO standards and guidelines when gradually restarting non-essential and elective services.
I hope this is helpful and that it will help provide support to your followers/audience.
Sincerely, Cindy
Cindy Lee, RN, MN
Advanced Practice Consultant, Practice Quality
College of Nurses of Ontario | http://www.cno.org
Also Read Tracey’s Blog on Returning to Work: Being Ready Means Being Safe