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Covid-19

Coronavirus

****CURB-SIDE VISITS/ TELE-HEALTH VISITS****                                                                                                                                     March 20th, 2020

 

To all of our valued families,

 

Our practice understands your concerns regarding your children’s well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak.  We have revised our protocol since our initial Covid-19 communication to create a safer environment in the office.  For the time being, and until further notice, we will only see patients (of all ages) for both well visit and vaccine only appointments in the office. Our doctors and staff would like to offer to offer an array of alternate visits to accommodate children during this crisis. 

  

  1. Curb-side Office Visits:  Curb-side visits in our back parking lot for SICK children or for those who are not coming for routine well-visits/vaccines. If doctors determine that your child has been at risk for the Corona-virus, we will take measures required by the CDC to assist the family for testing.

  2. TeleHealth Visits: Schedule a visit from the convenience of your home.  It will not be possible to diagnose and treat all patient conditions virtually.  If examination or testing is required, you may be asked to schedule an in-person visit.

  3. Well and Vaccine Appointments:  We will continue to see Well and Vaccine appointments (for all ages) in the office. 

**** UPDATED INFORMATION ****                                                                                                                                                                                                                                March 18th, 2020

 

With recent concerns about COVID 19, we want to update you on our plan to minimize risks and assure you that your pediatricians and our staff are doing everything in their power to reduce exposure.  We promise that they will remain up to date with the CDC recommendations.

 

As you may know, we always have disinfection protocols in place in our office.  During this time of heightened exposure risk, we have increased the frequency of cleaning.  Please help us by doing your part in using hand sanitizer, coughing into a tissue and avoiding touching your eyes and mouth.

 

​It is imperative, now more than ever to vaccinate unimmunized children from vaccine-preventable communicable diseases and we will continue to see our well-visits and vaccine catch-up appointments.  Therefore, we have put in place these rules to be able to continue to provide you with excellent care in a safe environment:

  

  1. We will triage all appointments prior to scheduling and again prior to entering the office

  2. We will NOT be accepting any walk-in appointments.

  3. 4.  Patients' and parents' temperatures will be taken prior to entrance to the office.

 

We will also be offering Telehealth visits within the next few days to allow you to see your pediatrician from your home.  At this time, we are gathering information from our commercial insurance companies to know which companies will cover this service.  For those patients whose insurance will not cover this type of service, the fee for a telehealth visit will be $50.00.  In addition, it will not be possible to diagnose and treat all patient conditions virtually.  If examination or testing is required, you may be asked to schedule an in-person visit.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      March 13th, 2020

We would like to ensure our patients and families that we are taking all necessary steps to maintain their health and well-being during this outbreak of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19).  

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Our practice is following the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and FL Dept of Health protocols and will continue to update our policies in accordance with changing guidelines. We urge you to stay informed about this rapidly evolving situation using the following information:

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents and caretakers protect their children by following the same hygiene practices for cold and flu season. These general practices to help prevent the spread of viruses include: washing hands with soap and water, disinfecting household objects and asking family members to cough into their elbows. The best protection against COVID-19 is to avoid exposure by limiting travel to highly infected areas where the CDC has issued travel advisories due to the spread of the virus. If a patient or a family member has had recent travel or possible exposure to COVID-19 and is feeling ill, please remain at home and call our office.

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Now more than ever, it is imperative to vaccinate unimmunized children from vaccine-preventable communicable diseases.

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Please know we have a triage system in place to identify possible patients that have been exposed to COVID-19. We have strict guidelines from the CDC and FL Health Dept and are following them when speaking with patients with coronavirus symptoms or exposure. The answers to screening questions the office will ask you will determine whether the patient is cleared to come into our office for a visit or if they should call the COVID-19 Call Center is available 24/7 at1-866-779-6121.

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Ways to Protect Your Family

Clean your hands often

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  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

  • Teach your kids good hand washing practice. 

  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

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Avoid Close Contact

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Stay home if you're sick

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Cover coughs and sneezes

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  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

  • Throw used tissues in the trash.

  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are

  • not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

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Wear a facemask if you are sick

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  • If you are sick:  You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.

  • If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

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Clean and disinfect

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  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, counter-tops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

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