Yes, the world as we know it has changed. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and our country’s great efforts to flatten the curve, triage and management of home visits will also be a little different.
In general, the data available for children shows that they have mild disease. Aren’t we all very thankful for this? However, children and adolescents may share their illness with parents and grandparents. Some young people may have medical illnesses themselves changing their risk category.
When you request an appointment with Healthy Sprouts and House Calls, a telephone triage discussion will follow. We will ask about co-existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or neurologic problems like cerebral palsy which may affect your child’s ability to cough. If your child has fever, cough with sore throat plus associated chills, body aches, vomiting or diarrhea, we may redirect you to the Ballad Health COVID line and connected symptom screening tool provided by Apple, Inc. and the CDC.
In addition, we may inquire whether you live in a multi-generational household, a household including a healthcare worker or if family has had any recent travel internationally or to an area with widespread COVID-19. In these certain cases, we may redirect you to the Ballad COVID Line – 833-822-5523.
You can refer to the CDC website for any further COVID-19 guidance.
We can provide a telehealth visit which we may be able to bill through your insurance or for self-pay/HSA pay is $40. Please understand there are limits to what can be done over a telehealth visit since a physicians is unable to look in the ears or listen to the chest. However, some problems can be handled in this manner. If you choose to utilize this route, please have a thermometer handy. You will be asked to take your child’s temperature. Also, weigh your child and keep that number handy. We will walk you through checking a pulse rate and breathing rate.
We encourage your family to continue socially distancing. Wash your hands frequently. Clean high touch surfaces frequently with a disinfectant, such as tables, cabinet tops and door knobs . Avoid touching your face (hardest thing ever!) Limit visits to the grocery store, gas station or pharmacy.
Cover your cough with your elbow (it is allergy season, too). Use tissues.
Teach your children about personal protective equipment. These items are not intended to be scary, but rather life-saving and protective. I liken it to super hero uniforms such as capes and masks to make it more relatable and understandable. Maybe make your own at home PPE out of construction paper or fabric. Play pretend with your children as our most newsworthy super heroes – first responders, nurses, respiratory therapists, doctors, grocery workers, sanitation workers, nurse practitioners, physician assistants.
Stay positive! Stay healthy! Stay safe! Protect our elderly and medically frail!
