Why so much paperwork?!

Recently, several new clients have balked at the amount of paperwork we require for intake. One has even refused to complete it entirely; this client did not receive a massage. This blog is a breakdown of our current intake requirements and a few examples of why we need to know certain medical items....

Currently, our new client intake paperwork consists of four forms:

Covid Liability Waiver

• What do clients have to do: This requires initials and a signature.
• What is it for: Basically, it says we will do everything we can to protect clients but can't promise anything, outlines the conditions that would make someone higher risk for covid and they want to get a massage anyway, and explains that the only time we would ever give out client contact information is if required to for contact tracing purposes.

Covid Risk Assessment Questionnaire

• What do clients have to do: This requires a signature. We complete the questionnaire the day before via telephone.
• What is it for: We call the day before to screen clients about their risk of exposure and risk of blood clots. If someone does not pass this screening, we offer to reschedule once their symptoms have been gone for 10 days. 

Company Policies

• What do clients have to do: This requires initials and a signature.
• What is it for: This outlines our policies regarding late arrivals, cancellations, refunds, etc. Previously this was in a small print to make it fit onto the intake form. Our attorney advised us to make it a separate form with a normal font size. 

Intake form

• What do clients have to do: This is a front and back form that clients are required to complete annually.
• What is it for:  It covers contact information, expectations for massage services, and medical history. We ask a lot of questions. There is a reason for every single one. Any client that has questions about why something needs to be disclosed, we are happy to answer that.

The following are some examples of why we ask so many questions:

Medication: If you're on a blood thinner,  the pressure and speed of the massage should be modified. You will bruise easier and should not receive deep tissue work, cupping or hot stone massage. If you're on a blood thinner due to high blood pressure, a more vigorous massage will increase circulation which puts more strain on your heart.

Easily confused/Memory Loss: If you will forget who I am and why I'm touching you, someone else needs to be in the room that you know to help you not panic. (This has actually happened with a client however it is more common among clients that are nursing homes residents.)

Prostethics: If one of your body parts is detachable, we need to know beforehand so we don't accidentally detach it. This actually happened with a client and she was NOT happy.