Pediatrics of Southwest Houston’s Response to COVID-19 Update 3/20/20- Introduction to Telemedicine

In an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus while providing the best care to our patients, PSWH is temporarily changing how we schedule office visits.  The health and well-being of our patients and families are important to us.  For now, here are all the things you need to know.  We will continue to provide you with updates as they are needed.

We are scheduling all well visits in the mornings and sick visits in the afternoons.  Exceptions to this rule (for musculoskeletal injuries, menstrual problems, behavior issues, etc) may be made on a case-by-case basis.  Well baby care is important; we do not want your child to fall behind on vaccines to prevent pneumonia, meningitis, measles, rotavirus, etc.  However, if you or your child is sick with cough or fever at the time of the well visit please call ahead to reschedule the visit.  Older children who need well visits yearly are being postponed at this time.  We ask that only one adult comes with the patient; siblings not being seen should stay at home or in the car with another adult whenever possible.  We are cleaning surfaces in the rooms between each patient and we have removed magazines and books from the rooms.  Please come prepared with your own entertainment.  We expect to move patients back to rooms quickly, but in the event of a wait you may wait in the hall or in your car and we will text you when we have a room.

When you call for a sick appointment/ How does Telemedicine work:

You will speak with a triage nurse first.  If appropriate, you may be offered a telemedicine visit with one of our doctors that day.  If so, you will be given a time frame to be available.  You will receive a text message from the office inviting you to the virtual waiting room; just click on the link in the message.  The doctor will join and discuss the symptoms and concerns with you online and assess your child.  From this visit we may:

• be able to give you the right diagnosis and treatment without you needing to come in.
• decide to order some tests for your child (x-ray, urinalysis, strep test, flu test, blood work, etc) and will make a plan for how to do these- either in our office/your car, a lab near you, etc.
• decide that we really need to see your child in person and ask you to bring them into the office. If you or your child are coughing or have fever, we may decide to have you wait in your car and we will come to your car for the exam/tests (Please park in the covered parking lot).
• Decide that your child needs a higher level of care and ask you to take them to the ER.

If your child has a fever and a cough and/or a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 we will offer a telemedicine visit to help guide your child’s treatment.  We are not currently able to test for coronavirus in our office but will help you determine whether self-care/quarantine is best, where/how any needed testing can be done, and whether your child needs a higher level of care.  The good news is that coronavirus usually causes just mild illness in children.  We care about you and your family and are here to help guide you during these challenging times.

We Recommend:

During these next few weeks of school cancellations, try to keep as much of a routine as possible.  Get regular exercise, outside if possible but even dancing inside will boost the mood and burn energy.  Be mindful of how much TV news your child is exposed to and look for symptoms of anxiety such as moodiness and trouble sleeping.  Talk to your children about their fears and reassure them.  Practice good handwashing and stay home when you are sick; cover your coughs and sneezes with an elbow or mask. 

Good Website Resources for Families:

• The American Academy of Pediatric’s Healthy Children.org: has English and Spanish versions

 https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Pages/2019-Novel-Coronavirus.aspx

• Child Mind.org: Behavior/Mental Health resources for families

https://childmind.org/coping-during-covid-19-resources-for-parents/

• Texas Children’s Hospital’s website has a good Q&A center about COVID-19 and children:https://www.texaschildrenscoronavirus.org/patients-visitors