Children’s Clinic Shares Information On Well-Child Visits During COVID-19 Pandemic

CHILDREN’S CLINIC News:

The Children’s Clinic remains open and committed to providing quality healthcare to its patients in a timely manner.

The Children’s Clinic has recently become aware of some misinformation in the community surrounding recommendations for well-child visits, and they are writing to clear up any confusion:

Well-child visits and school and pre-participation sports examinations are essential to the health and well being of your child. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released an official opinion urging parents not to skip well-child check-ups.

Despite the very real concerns of COVID-19, it is important for children to continue receiving the essential health services their scheduled well visits provide.

Disruption in routine caused by the current pandemic can lead to behavior changes, sadness or anxiety in children of all ages. Well-child visits are times where pediatricians examine children, discuss concerns, screen for various signs of distress and illness, and offer guidance to families.

And, perhaps most importantly, these visits ensure your child receives necessary vaccines. Disrupting immunization schedules, even for brief periods, can lead to outbreaks of infections like measles or whooping cough that can be even more threatening to a child’s health.

At the Children’s Clinic we have made several temporary changes in an attempt to adjust to the needs of our patients and families.

  • We now have a dedicated entrance to the Los Alamos clinic on the southwest side of the hospital that bypasses the hospital entrance.
  • Our clinic has been divided into sick (fever, cough, sore throat, etc.) and well (check ups, immunizations, school/sports exams, medication follow up, injuries, etc) patient areas.
  • Our White Rock clinic remains open to well patient care only.
  • We are attempting to limit time spent in the waiting areas by rooming patients as quickly as possible upon their check-in, and we ask that only one caregiver accompany the child to the visit to limit potential exposures.
  • Per state health department and CDC guidelines, we ask that each caregiver and child over the age of 2 wear a mask to the appointment.
  • We have employed enhanced cleaning procedures and use of PPE when appropriate.

In summary, we encourage families to contact their pediatrician’s office now to ensure that their child’s well visits and vaccinations are up-to-date, to schedule any needed appointments and to discuss any questions or concerns they may have. We will do our best to help guide you through these confusing times. As always, we are very grateful for the privilege of caring for your family.

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