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COVID-19 updates for providers

Updated May 22, 2020 at 1:53 pm

  • How is Children's Health℠ keeping patients and families safe?

    We know many parents may be questioning whether it's safe to resume routine appointments, have surgery, seek emergency care or enter hospitals. We want to ensure parents that it's not only safe at Children's Health℠, but important that parents continue their child's care.

    We are doing everything we can to protect all those within our facilities and have implemented numerous changes and protocols to ensure the safest care environment possible.

    • We have been screening all visitors and patients for COVID-19 since January 10 and follow strict protocols for anyone who meets the criteria.
    • We have expanded the use of our Virtual Care for urgent care and behavioral health appointments. 
    • We have significantly reduced the number of patients, visitors, volunteers and vendors onsite to further social distancing and limit exposure.
    • For employees working onsite, we have implemented daily employee symptoms screenings.

  • What should I know about pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome (PMIS)?

    There have been multiple reports that Pediatric Multi system Inflammatory Syndrome (PMIS) may be caused by COVID-19. However, there is very little scientific data to confirm the causation of PMIS. Children's Health is monitoring for PMIS symptoms, including:

    • High fever lasting several days
    • Diarrhea
    • Vomiting
    • Rash
    • Conjunctivitis
    • Red or pink eyes
    • Enlarged lymph node on one side of the neck
    • Swollen hands and feet

    We are still learning how COVID-19 impacts children, and Children's Health will continue to share information and resources as it becomes available.

  • Is Children's Health scheduling outpatient appointments?

    Outpatient clinics

    On May 11, Children's Health resumed outpatient clinic appointments, prioritizing new patients and urgent follow up appointments that cannot be done virtually. While clinics resumed normal business hours, we are only scheduling a limited number of appointments at a time to ensure social distancing. Appointments may continue virtually when possible.

    Children's Health has implemented policies and procedures based on local, state and federal guidelines to keep patients, families and team members safe, all of which can be found at childrens.com/COVID-19. Outpatient clinic changes include:

    • Only one adult and one patient allowed per visit (some exceptions allowed).
    • Masks will be worn by patients and staff while at the clinic.
    • Patients will be shown to the exam room immediately after check in. There will be no waiting in the waiting rooms.
    • Patients or family members who are feeling ill or presenting with symptoms may be rescheduled based on their physician's judgement.
    • Rooms are being disinfected after every appointment based on stringent infection prevention guidelines.

    Outpatient rehabilitation and therapy locations

    Children's Health outpatient rehabilitation and therapy locations are among the departments working toward the resumption of normal operations. On May 11, all rehab and therapy centers began seeing urgent or high priority patients. The day patient therapy programs at Our Children's House resumed on Monday, June 1.

    For additional information about Children's Health outpatient rehabilitation and therapy, locations and hours, please visit our Specialty Center webpage.

  • How can my patients access virtual visits with Children's Health?

    Children's Health offers resources on virtual visits for patient families. These resources include an FAQ and step by step directions in both English and Spanish on how to log in using video, how to download video and how to sign a document.

  • Has Children's Health begun rescheduling surgical cases?

    On May 11, Children's Health resumed scheduling postponed elective surgical cases. If you have any questions regarding your patients' rescheduled surgical procedures, please reach out to Provider Services at 214-456-9933.

  • What should I do if I have a patient who needs to be admitted?

    As always, if you feel a patient needs to be admitted, or needs to be seen in the Emergency Department for treatment, please send them to us. Please let us know if you suspect COVID-19 prior to sending them by calling the ED referral team at 214-456-8145.

    Patients and symptomatic family members will need to put on a mask prior to entering the hospital. Please provide a mask if possible. If the family doesn’t have a mask, then they need to ask for one as soon as they arrive.

    Please do not send people to the Emergency Department only for specimen collection or testing.

  • When should I send my patient home for self-isolation?

    One option to consider, if you are concerned about possible COVID-19 but testing is not sent, is to send the patient home for self-isolation until 72 hours after the fever is gone and symptoms get better. If their condition worsens, send them to the Emergency Department.

    Per the recommendation of our local health department, any patient who undergoes COVID-19 testing and does not require hospitalization should isolate at home until the test result is obtained. Any patients with a positive test should remain at home for at least 7 days and until 72 hours after fever resolves and respiratory symptoms get better, whichever is longer.

  • What can I do if I have other questions?

    If you have any questions about how Children’s Health will support your patients should you determine they require a higher level of care, please call one of the following departments: