COVID19

Coronavirus – COVID19

During the COVID pandemic, we at Aquidneck Pediatrics  value a safe office experience for all of our patients. As such, we are keeping all sick patients out of the well visit area. We are doing our best to see certain sick children we can safely in a separate wing. Until we can obtain proper safety equipment for our staff, we are unable to see possible COVID patients in the office. If there is a possibility of having COVID then we will have you checking in with one of our most valuable providers from your house via  telemedicine instead of an in-office visit.

If your child has the following symptoms of COVID19, we CANNOT currently see your child in our office:

Fever or chills

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Fatigue

Muscle or body aches

Headache

New loss of taste or smell

Sore throat

Congestion or runny nose

Nausea or vomiting

Diarrhea

This list of symptoms originates from the CDC as potential symptoms of COVID19. As per the CDC, symptoms may present 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. To ensure the safety of our patients, if your child has the above symptoms OR has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID19 OR has recently traveled domestically OR internationally OR has been in close contact with someone traveling from these areas, please DO NOT come into the office. Please call with concerns and we will direct you as to where to seek care.

***Asymptomatic Testing***

If your child requires asymptomatic (well without symptoms) COVID19 testing, please go to the following website to arrange. If you can not arrange a test on this website, please call 401.654.6990 for further information on scheduling a test.

ASYMPTOMATIC COVID19 TESTING

***Clearance***

Please also be aware that our physicians cannot clear your child to return to school, camp, daycare, etc if they have recently had any of the above symptoms. Your child will need to be fever free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication and be ten days from the start of symptoms OR have a negative COVID19 test to return to activity.

***Mask clearance***

As per the RIDOH release 09/09/2020: “A Rhode Island Executive Order (EO) and subsequent EO extensions require that face coverings be worn when someone is closer than six feet of others in both indoor and outdoor public spaces. Healthcare providers do not have authority to overrule and EO and the EO does not include a provider exemption, so providers may not exempt anyone from wearing a mask.”

**Social Interaction***

We understand these are frustrating times. The clinic is doing everything we can to safely, effectively, and efficiently provide high quality care to children. The physicians request that parents and family members remain calm and respectful when interacting with any Aquidneck Pediatrics employee.

****CANCELLATION OF NON-URGENT APPOINTMENTS****

WE ARE CANCELLING ALL NON-URGENT MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AS WELL AS WELL CHILD CHECKS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 6-10, 13-15, AND 17+ YEARS. If you have a child who is between these ages we will be happy to reschedule them to next year. You may receive a text message or letter in the mail regarding this notification. If you have a medical concern that needs to be addressed with the doctor, please call the office to set up an appointment to discuss your concern.

Thank you for your patience in these unprecedented times as we work to provide the safest environment for your family.

***WALK-IN HOURS***

Walk in hours in the morning and on weekends will remain suspended until further notice.

Please see our office hours link to see temporary changes to our regular office hours.

OFFICE HOURS

****INTEGRATION OF TELEMEDICINE ****.

Even with all the social distancing, we are dedicated to being there for you.  We are now caring for our patients via phone or internet secure telemedicine. Please call any time if you have any concerns and we are here for you in these crazy times!  We will send you a safe secure internet link to allow you to video chat with your doctor, right from your home. We are so excited to provide this service to our patients! Thanks for your participation.

***AVOIDANCE AND TESTING***

Please continue social distancing, washing hands frequently, and covering coughs. If you or your child are symptomatic, practice self-quarantine. The RIDOH recommends that mild to moderate symptoms be managed at home.

As per the most recent executive order, anyone travelling from anywhere outside of the 50 states (including District of Columbia) must quarantine for 14 days upon re-entry to Rhode Island.

CDC INFORMATION

WHO INFORMATION

RIDOH INFORMATION

***SUPPORT LINKS FOR ADULTS AND CHILD WHILE PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING***

Calm (kids and adults)
Headspace (kids and adults)
Mindshift (teens and adults only?)–CBT Skills
Insight Timer (kids and adults)
Smiling Mind (free for kids and adults)
Triangle breathing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Q8D6n-3qw
4-7-8 breathing (cool graphics for kids and teens): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxbdx-SeOOo
Body Scan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihwcw_ofuME
Take 5 Breathing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh79w9pn9Cg
Calm app free resources during COVID-19 crisis
https://www.calm.com/blog/take-a-deep-breath…

Parents Support Network of RI https://www.psnri.org/

Virtual Parenting workshops: https://www.psnri.org/copy-of-virtual-trainings-and-meeti