Important Pediatric Center Updates

NEW Location and Appointment Changes

Data has shown that positive cases of COVID are decreasing, and vaccination rates are increasing, so we are happy to announce some changes below that will transition us back to normalcy:

UPDATED: Tuesday June 22nd, 2021:
- We are no longer using Car Check-in for in-office visits (expect for COVID vaccine appointments). You can now simply walk into the office to check-in.
- All visits will now be seen inside the office, in exam rooms at all three locations. We will no longer require patients to be seen in cars.
- We will no longer require temperature checks before entering the office.
- Masks are still required to enter our office, per CDC guidelines for healthcare facilities. Please make sure all family members and patients over the age of 2 have masks on before entering our facilities.
- COVID-19 testing is available at all three of our locations.
- We are now allowing both parents to be present in the room at office visits again.
- Parents of children who have wheezed or have asthma should regularly bring inhalers and spacers to the office for all visits.
- Well-child visits, routine medication checks, and weight checks (including newborns) are now fully open and available at all three locations.
- Saturday morning clinic at VCC will still be by appointment only.
- There will be NO walk-in appointments at any office.

Rest assured, we are continually keeping up to date with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Virginia Department of Health (VDH), and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). We want your family to be safe. Please encourage your children and families to continue washing their hands, cover their sneezes and coughs, keep frequently touched surfaces clean, and practice social distancing. We greatly appreciate your patience as we continue to update our office practices and policies during this ever-changing situation.

Updated Office Procedures - Online Car Check-in (COVID vaccine clinic only)

Starting June 22, 2021, we will no longer utilize online car check-in services. Instead, patients are asked to enter our office directly, and check-in at our front desk. The exception to this change is our COVID vaccine clinic will still require that you use the Car Check-in button on our website.

For patients arriving at our VCC location for the COVID vaccine clinic, please continue using the following protocol: Once you arrive for your appointment, check in from your car using the “COVID Vaccine Car Check-in” button at the top of our main webpage. A staff member will contact you via text to tell you whether to come in to the office or wait in your car.

COVID-19 Testing Available at all Locations

Please call if you think your child might need to be tested for COVID-19

We now have COVID testing at all three of our locations. We have rapid COVID-19 tests that will provide a result in 15 minutes. We also send out PCR tests for COVID-19. PCR test results may take 2 to 5 days to return from Labcorp.

Telehealth Visits Now Available

You may call to schedule an appointment with the doctor or nurse practitioner of your choice at your preferred time or you can ask for a same day telemedicine appointment. When you call, the scheduling staff will confirm the number of your cell phone number where you want to be called for your video appointment.

On the day of your appointment you may receive a call from a nurse at the practice who will obtain history, confirm allergies and medications, and confirm your appointment time.

When your provider is ready for your appointment, you will receive a text link to your cell phone. Simply click on the text link and you will be connected to your provider. This may be a few minutes after your appointment time, just like when you are in the office.

Please make sure your child is with you at the appointment.

We’re happy to help you in the comfort of your own home!

A Wi-Fi connection or 4G or higher connection is preferable for virtual visits, but not always necessary.

Face Mask Recommendations

The CDC recommends wearing face mask in public to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Here’s how you can do your part!

Make a mask — see quick video below!
STAY 6 feet apart- even in your mask
Always cover your nose and mouth
Safe for children 2 and older
CONTINUE to WASH HANDS for 20 seconds

Check out this video from the U.S. Surgeon General , Jerome Adams how to make a quick mask at home.

https://youtu.be/tPx1yqvJgf4

Here is a video of The Pediatric Center’s own Dr. Shook demonstrating how to make a mask as well! https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=261971664837064&external_log_id=3f16c75119d966967471d5a7589b1e13&q=the%20pediatric%20center%20richmond

Parents and children should wear face masks to the office for visits:

Easy options: scarf, bandana tied around head
Please wear your mask during your entire visit
Need more information? See Below!

CDC information on Face masks:

Why do you need to wear cloth face coverings?

In light of new data about how COVID-19 spreads, along with evidence of widespread COVID-19 illness in communities across the country, CDC recommends that people wear a cloth face covering to cover their nose and mouth in the community setting. This is to protect people around you if you are infected but do not have symptoms.

When do you need to wear a cloth face covering?

A cloth face covering should be worn whenever people are in a community setting, especially in situations where you may be near people. These settings include grocery stores and pharmacies. These face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing. Cloth face coverings are especially important to wear in public in areas of widespread COVID-19 illness.

Do I still need to stay at least 6 feet away from people if wearing a cloth face covering?

Yes. Wearing cloth face coverings is an additional public health measure people should take to reduce the spread of COVID-19. CDC still recommends that you stay at least 6 feet away from other people (social distancing), frequent hand cleaning and other everyday preventive actions. A cloth face covering is not intended to protect the wearer, but it may prevent the spread of virus from the wearer to others. This would be especially important if someone is infected but does not have symptoms. View CDC’s guidance on how to protect yourself.

What type of cloth face covering should be worn?

Cloth face coverings can be made from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost.

Who should not wear cloth face coverings?

Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children younger than 2 years of age, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance.

Why is CDC recommending cloth face coverings instead of medical grade facemasks?

Surgical masks and N95 respirators are in short supply and should be reserved for healthcare workers or other medical first responders, as recommended by CDC guidance.

Page last reviewed: April 4, 2020

Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases

Source: CDC.gov

Well Child Care

The CDC recommends staying on track with checkups. Well checks are continuing at The Pediatric Center with careful attention to reducing exposure by using phone calls and expedited well care.