April 14, 2020
In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, Columbus Children's Healthcare will now offer Telehealth visits for our patients in an effort to prevent the exposure and spread of this virus. All Telehealth appointments can be scheduled through our clinic. When it is time for your Telehealth visit, you will receive either an email or SMS text message that will provide a link for the visit. Standard cell phone fees apply. Please click on the link and provide your child's full name and DOB to confirm your identity. You will then receive a video call from your provider. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment time and 30 minutes after to receive your Telehealth call. All Telehealth visits are HIPPA-compliant. You will be billed for your Telehealth visit as usual through your insurance company. These visits can be completed on your cell phone, iPad, or desktop computer.
There are many illnesses and medical problems that can be managed via video call, however, there is always the possibility that your provider may recommend further evaluation in person - either in our clinic or at the ER. You will then only be billed for your in-person visit. Please make sure your child is present during the Telehealth visit. Well child checks will still be completed within the clinic as the physical exam is vital and vaccines can then be provided. These visits have been deemed as essential according to the American Academy of Pediatrics in an effort to avoid potential vaccine-preventable illnesses. If your child is in need of vaccinations, we recommend you schedule an appointment to be seen in clinic. We will continue to see all of our patients in clinic for both well child checks and sick visits in addition to the new Telehealth visits. Please contact our clinic with any further questions.
A la luz de la actual pandemia de COVID-19, Columbus Children's Healthcare ahora ofrecerá visitas de telesalud a nuestros pacientes en un esfuerzo para prevenir la exposición y propagación de este virus. Todas las citas de telesalud se pueden programar a través de nuestra clínica. Cuando llegue el momento de su visita de telesalud, recibirá un correo electrónico o un mensaje de texto SMS que proporcionará un enlace para la visita. Se aplican tarifas estándar de telefono celular. Haga clic en el enlace y proporcione el nombre completo y la fecha de nacimiento de su hijo/a para confirmar su identidad. Luego recibirá una videollamada de su proveedor. Espere 15 minutos antes de la hora programada para la cita y 30 minutos después para recibir su llamada de Telesalud. Todas las visitas de telesalud cumplen con HIPPA. Se le facturará por su visita de telesalud como de costumbre a través de su compañía de seguros. Estas visitas se pueden completar en su teléfono celular, iPad o computadora de escritorio.
Hay muchas enfermedades y problemas médicos que se pueden manejar mediante una videollamada, sin embargo, siempre existe la posibilidad de que su proveedor pueda recomendar una evaluación adicional en persona, ya sea en nuestra clínica o en la sala de emergencias. Entonces solo se le facturará por su visita en persona. Asegúrese de que su hijo esté presente durante la visita de telesalud. Las revisiones de niños sanos aún se completarán dentro de la clínica, ya que el examen físico es vital y vacunas pueden ser proporcionadas. Estas visitas se han considerado esenciales según la Academia Estadounidense de Pediatría en un esfuerzo por evitar posibles enfermedades prevenibles por vacunación. Si su hijo necesita vacunas, le recomendamos que programe una cita para que lo atiendan en la clínica. Continuaremos atendiendo a todos nuestros pacientes en la clínica para las revisiones de niños sanos y para visitas de enfermedad, además de las nuevas visitas de telesalud. Póngase en contacto con nuestra clínica si tiene más preguntas.
April 7, 2020
The CDC has released new recommendations regarding the use of non-medical masks for the general public. CDC now recommends that the general population should wear a non-medical mask when leaving their home. Based upon this new recommendation, we are now implementing a universal mask policy in our clinic. As of April 7, 2020, all patients including infants and small children, parents, staff, and healthcare providers are required to wear masks while in our clinic. What this means for you is that if your child has a scheduled visit in our clinic, even routine well child checks, we are requiring you to wear a breathable covering over your nose and mouth. This may include a non-medical mask, cloth mask, homemade mask, bandana, scarf, etc. Baby carseats can be covered with a blanket. Medical masks should be reserved for healthcare personnel only. Remember, most people spread the virus before they develop symptoms. Wearing a mask will decrease the risk of spreading coronavirus and keep everyone safer. That is why we are requiring all patients and their parents/guardians wear a mask even if they are well.
As a reminder, we are only allowing one parent/guardian to be present with each patient for their visit. We still recommend essential well child checks that require vaccinations, including newborns to 2 years of age. As we are unable to test the vast majority of the population for coronavirus, we have to assume that anyone with symptoms of coronavirus are infected. With that being said, anyone that has respiratory symptoms or diarrhea will not be seen in our clinic for their well child check and we would recommend they be rescheduled. Respiratory symptoms include cough, congestion, runny nose, fever, and shortness of breath. We will continue to evaluate all of our patients via telehealth for all sick visits with these symptoms. Please call for an appointment. We will screen all patients for symptoms and exposure via phone before their appointment and again at the door before entering our clinic.
Thank you for continuing to be flexible with the ever-changing recommendations and policies in our clinic. Follow our Facebook page and check your emails regularly to stay up-to-date as further changes are made. Please contact our clinic at any time with questions or concerns.
March 31, 2020
In addition to the screening process, the clinic will be checking temperatures at the door prior to entry.
March 30, 2020
Because we have temporarily suspended walk-in visits we have new clinic hours.
Monday-Friday 8am-5pm; Saturday starting at 9am
All appointments will now be scheduled and you will be screened on the phone and at the door. Only one visitor will be allowed with the patient for the visit.
March 18, 2020
At this time during the current COVID-19 crisis, if at all possible, your child should still have their well child visits and stay up-to-date on their vaccines.
We are fortunate by the design of our building that we are able to separate healthy children from those that are ill. We will have healthy children only at the main (west) entrance. All will be screened prior to entry into the clinic.
It is vital that children stay up-to-date on their necessary vaccines to avoid the spread of vaccine-preventable illnesses, particularly children under the age of 2. If your child is immunocompromised or has a complex medical condition, please contact our clinic prior to scheduling.
Remember, this situation is always evolving and we will keep you posted on recommendations as they change.
Continue to follow our Facebook page for updated information.