COVID-19 Update for Clinicians Last updated: December 1, 2022 Connecticut Children’s is working closely with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We’re taking extraordinary precautions at our medical center and outpatient clinics to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and we know that you are too. By coordinating our response, we can protect our communities, resources and each other. Get answers to frequently asked questions > Keeping Patients and Families Safe and Sound Connecticut Children’s is dedicated to keeping our patients, families and team members safe during appointments, procedures and surgeries. Learn about our enhanced safety program, Safe and Sound. “Ask the Experts” Webinar Series Our “Ask the Experts” webinar series features the latest insights on COVID-19 from our pediatric experts. Register for emails to learn about upcoming webinars. Want to catch up on previous Ask the Experts topics? Tune in to the Grand Rounds podcast. Ask the Experts is an ACCME COVID-19 series, and it suffices as an infectious disease state-mandated CSMS requirement. Virtual Visits Available Connecticut Children’s specialty clinics are scheduling new and follow-up appointments for non-urgent clinic appointments through Video Visits. Please call OneCall (1.833.733.7669) to speak to our specialists or follow our usual referral process. Our Video Visits occur through the MyChart portal, and all patients will be asked to register. Our registration staff is available to help your patients register through MyChart. Patients can download the Connecticut Children’s Mobile App to access MyChart Video Visits on their mobile phone. Learn more about our Video Visits > COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Infusions and Outpatient Therapies Connecticut Children’s is offering services for the administration of COVID-19 medications. Available therapies may rapidly change depending on circulating variants and drug availability. View current available therapies > Clinical Pathways Connecticut Children’s has developed structured, evidence-based, multidisciplinary plans that detail steps in the care of patients with COVID-19. Access the clinical pathways > Connecticut Children’s Visitor Restrictions Visitor restrictions are now in effect at all Connecticut Children’s locations. Learn more about our visitor restrictions > Resources for Clinicians and Families Find helpful links and downloadable resources for yourself and your patients below. Resources for Clinicians COVID-19 Clinical Pathway CDC MIS-C Infographic Pediatric Testing Locations Emergency Department Guide COVID-19 School References and Resources Guidance for COVID-19 Scenarios in Schools Flu Clinic Tips Protective Eyewear Tips Weight Management Webinar (password: 7d*c0*=m) Resources for Patients & Families Back to School Kit Safe and Sound Teens with Depression Friends in Masks (Spanish) Friends in Masks (English) Masking Up (Spanish) Masking Up (English) Flu Vaccine Flyer Blog Post: What Should I Do If My Child Has a Cold During COVID-19? Blog Post: Holiday Plans and Travel During COVID-19 Blog Post: The Best Way to Prevent Youth Suicide Provider eNews Connecticut Children’s releases frequent COVID-19 updates via email. Latest edition: COVID-19 Clinician Update: February 23, 2021 View archive > Register for emails to receive these updates in your inbox. Frequently Asked Questions What should pediatric PCPs know about COVID-19?With the rare exception of MIS-C, kids appear far less likely than adults to become seriously ill from COVID-19. Most reported infections in children resulted in minor respiratory infections and flu-like symptoms. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported. Some research shows that kids who are under the age of 12 are less likely to spread the virus to other people than older kids and adults. Teenagers seem to be very strong COVID-19 spreaders. Is there a vaccine or specific treatment for COVID-19?Vaccine: Yes, the CDC and FDA have authorized the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine > Treatment: Monoclonal antibody infusions are available for individuals at high-risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection. View current available therapies > What personal protective equipment (PPE) should we stock up on?We recommend you have Purell, gloves, masks, eye shields or goggles (not eyeglasses), and gowns. View our latest PPE guidelines How can we get up-to-date information about COVID-19?We want to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 and how it may impact care for your pediatric patients. We send regular email updates, including patient- and provider-specific information. Note: If you are not currently receiving emails and wish to, please register for email updates. We host a CME webinar, “Ask the Experts,” with our Infectious Disease providers. Register for emails to learn about upcoming webinars. Want to catch up on previous Ask the Experts topics? Tune in to the Grand Rounds podcast. What information sources should we refer to?Stay up-to-date on the CDCs guidance on evaluating and reporting Persons Under Investigation (PUI) and visit CDC.gov for other helpful articles, including Healthcare Professionals: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers What Healthcare Personnel Should Know about Caring for Patients with Confirmed or Possible COVID-19 Infection The American Association of Pediatrics also provides critical updates on COVID-19 specific to pediatric patients, including clinical guidance, discussion boards and advocacy resources What special steps should our practice take for respiratory patients?You may see a significant increase in patients with low-acuity respiratory symptoms or fevers. To help limit the spread of COVID-19, consider taking the following steps. Minimize in-person patient visits through phone and/or video consultations, if possible. Request that children who are symptomatic remain in cars until a room is ready, or evaluate them in the car. Separate the flow of febrile or respiratory patients inside your clinic, so that they check in and are seen in spaces designated for COVID-19-like symptoms. How should we address patient questions about COVID-19?We know that parents and families may have many questions regarding the coronavirus. To ensure there is a trusted one-stop resource, we have launched the Connecticut Children’s Pediatric COVID-19 Hotline: 833.226.2362 If patients have general inquiries about coronavirus, you can refer them to FAQs at connecticutchildrens.org/coronavirus. When a patient requires additional information, please direct them to the following public health authorities: For the latest information about Connecticut, call 211, text CTCOVID to 898211, or visit portal.ct.gov/coronavirus. For the latest news and advice from public health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), visit cdc.gov/coronavirus. How should we respond to parents wondering whether to send their child back to school or keep them home this fall?For general information, you can direct them Connecticut Children’s Back to School Kit. It includes back-to-school FAQs by Connecticut Children’s physician-in-chief. For additional information, direct them to their child’s school and to cdc.gov/coronavirus. When should (and shouldn’t) we send a patient to Connecticut Children’s Emergency Department?Our Emergency Department is open and safe for your patients, including for non-emergent medical conditions, from asthma to diabetes to digestive issues. Refer to our clinical pathways for the latest information. Direct non-emergent respiratory patients to self-quarantine at home. How is Connecticut Children’s keeping patients, families and team members safe from COVID-19?Visit our Safe and Sound page to learn about our enhanced safety program > Are there any changes to Connecticut Children’s outpatient services?Connecticut Children’s is seeing patients in person and via Video Visit. All patients and visitors coming for an in person visit will be screened for temperature and travel history at the door. Visit our COVID-19 visitor information page for the latest information > If your patient needs an urgent appointment or an earlier appointment, please call the OneCall Physician Access Line (833.733.7669) to complete a PCP Consult with the subspecialist. Note: Please do not share the OneCall Physician Access Line with patients. Are there any special rules for visitors to Connecticut Children’s right now?Visit our COVID-19 visitor information page for the latest information > Who is being tested for COVID-19 at Connecticut Children’s?Connecticut Children’s is currently testing the following individuals for COVID-19: All patients who require admission Patients undergoing a procedure or who are immunocompromised and receiving treatment at Connecticut Children’s Connecticut Children’s guidelines for testing will be updated as the situation changes. Is Connecticut Children’s able to test for COVID-19?If you only require testing for COVID-19 and do not have any other medical emergency, we ask that you utilize local testing centers near you when possible instead of our emergency care facilities. (Find a local testing center by visiting 211ct.org) With COVID-19 cases increasing locally, and flu and RSV season in full swing, our Emergency Department and Urgent Care are frequently at capacity. Will you notify PCPs of their patients’ coronavirus test results?Connecticut Children’s will notify PCPs of their patients’ positive test results within 24 hours of availability. We are also sharing test results with families, and advising them to call their child’s PCP with any follow-up questions after a negative result. Will Connecticut Children’s offer more virtual health (telemedicine) visits?Yes. Connecticut Children’s now offers Video Visits in more than 30 specialties. Learn more about our Virtual Health services > If one of my patients is an inpatient at Connecticut Children’s, what can they expect?The clinical staff and providers at Connecticut Children’s are trained on the identification, isolation and treatment of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. We have policies in place regarding visitor screening, mask wearing, and visitor restrictions. For the most updated policies, refer to our Visitor Restrictions and Info page. What are your travel restrictions or policies for your workforce?We are taking special precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including limiting visitors and large staff gatherings, canceling events and non-essential meetings or converting them to virtual meetings, encouraging remote working when appropriate, and disallowing airline travel for business. We will continue to reassess and adjust these policies and procedures to proactively combat the spread of illness. Additional ResourcesContinue to visit this page for updated clinical information and algorithms. If your patients have questions or are concerned about COVID-19, please refer them to the following resources. For coronavirus FAQs and resources for families, visit www.connecticutchildrens.org/coronavirus. For the latest information about Connecticut, call 211, text CTCOVID to 898211, or visit portal.ct.gov/coronavirus. For the latest news and advice from public health experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), visit cdc.gov/coronavirus. Contact Us COVID-19 Hotline 833.226.2362 OneCall Provider Line (providers only) 860-837-9890 OR 833-733-7669 Referral Questions (providers only) 860-837-9890 Emergency Department/Neonatal and Pediatric Transport (providers only) 860-837-9890 Connecticut Children’s Medical Center 860-545-9000
