COVID-19 Information
Our office routines have changed dramatically since mid-March, 2020. Many routines have returned to normal but some are continuing to change to keep our staff and patients safe. Our goal is for this page to be a resource to answer questions and update office changes.
TELEMEDICINE APPOINTMENTS
If you are uncomfortable coming into the office, then ask about a telemedicine appointment. Visits through doxy.me are available for most appointment types.
Please do your best for all telemedicine appointments to take a weight and temperature before you log on. Height, weight and blood pressure are needed for ADHD follow ups if possible. If the appointment is a rash, swollen eye, bug bite, etc: it is very helpful if a picture of the problem is sent in mychart to the doctor for review prior to the telemedicine appointment.
COVID Precautions in the office
If you or your child has symptoms consistent with COVID or has been exposed to a person with COVID, please notify the staff when entering the office and please wear a mask during your whole appointment time.
We have modified our waiting area for social distancing, and we are making every effort to room patients on arrival to the office.
We are using hospital grade disinfectants on all patient areas. Common areas, including patient rooms, are continuously being disinfected.
Staff will wear protective equipment when needed to minimize their exposure.
How are we scheduling patients now!
Well Visits
We are seeing well child visits anytime during the day before 4 PM.
Sick Visit
We are scheduling sick visits anytime though out the day, but we are continuing to offer telemedicine appointments for most concerns.
Should my child get tested for COVID-19?
What to do if your child has been exposed to COVID 19? Should they be tested?
If you have symptoms, test immediately.
- If you use an antigen test, a positive result is reliable, but a negative test is not always accurate.
- If your antigen test is negative, take another antigen test after 48 hours or take a PCR test as soon as you can.
If you do not have symptoms but have been exposed to COVID-19, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before taking a test.
- If you do not have COVID-19 symptoms and believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, test again 48 hours after the first negative test, then 48 hours after the second negative test, for a total of at least three tests.
- If you get a negative result on the second test, test again 48 hours after the second test.
- If you get a negative result on the third test and you are concerned that you could have COVID-19, you may choose to test again using an antigen test, consider getting a laboratory molecular-based test, or call your health care provider.
- If you get a positive result on any repeat test with an at-home COVID-19 antigen test, you most likely have COVID-19 and should follow the CDC guidance for people with COVID-19
Who should be tested?
To learn if you have a current infection, viral tests are used. Most people will have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care and may not need to be tested. Decisions about testing are made by our physicians based on CDC guidelines and state recommendations. Remember, these tests can have 15-20% false negative results, which means you are actually infected if the virus was not detected.
Results-What does a negative test mean?
If you test negative for COVID-19 by a viral test, you probably were not infected at the time your sample was collected. However, that does not mean you will not get sick. The test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing.
What YOU should do?
- STAY AT HOME until fever free for 24 hours and symptoms are improving.
- Stay healthy – get rest, drink lots of water, eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and stay physically active
- Wash your hands frequently, cough into your sleeve or elbow, and do not touch your face!
- Wear a mask when out in public!
- Please refrain from bringing additional guests to your appointments.
- Keep your children current on routine vaccinations.
Can we do COVID testing in the office?
We are testing patients for COVID 19, at the recommendation of a physician in office based on current COVID testing guidelines. We offer a rapid “in office” tests that will screen in 15 minutes and requires a nasal swab. This test has a false negative rate of about 13 %, so for some patients a confirmatory PCR test will be offered.
The RT-PCR we have available is a nasal swab or throat swab sent to an outside lab. The results take around 24 hours to return but the test is very accurate. Most insurances are covering this test, but the cash pricing is $50.00.
Are we offering telemedicine appointments?
If you are uncomfortable coming into the office, then ask about a telemedicine appointment. Visits through doxy.me are available for most appointment types.
Please do your best for all telemedicine appointments to take a weight and temperature before you log on. Height, weight and blood pressure are needed for ADHD follow ups if possible. If the appointment is a rash, swollen eye, bug bite, etc: it is very helpful if a picture of the problem is sent in mychart to the doctor for review prior to the telemedicine appointment.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
We are now offering COVID 19 Moderna 2024-2025 formula for patients from 6 months to 11 years of age. Over 12 years of age we recommend going to your pharmacy.
Individuals 6 months through 4 years of age:
- Unvaccinated individuals: Two doses of Modera COVID-19 Vaccine (2024-2025 formulation) are administered over at least 4-8 weeks.
- Previously vaccinated individuals: One dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (2024-2025 formulation)
Individuals 5 years to 11 years:
- Unvaccinated individuals or previously vaccinated individuals : A single dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (2024-2025 formulation)
COVID-19 Vaccination Fact Sheets
We encourage parents to be informed about the COVID-19 vaccine available to their children. Please reference the links below for official information.
Moderna COVID-19 (2024-2025 formulation) fact sheet
Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday - Please contact the Children’s Health Nurse for advice