Returning to Boston Children’s: Information for Providers
While the changes brought on by COVID-19 will be with us for some time to come, one thing will never change: Our commitment to providing the highest quality care.
Primary care clinicians—often the first point of contact for patients and families concerned about their children—are the cornerstone of that commitment. From routine wellness checks and vaccinations to uncertain and potentially complex diagnoses, patients and families look to you for guidance and expertise. Your role in this pandemic and the future of pediatric healthcare delivery is essential. We value your partnership as we work together to keep children and families healthy.
While the road ahead is uncertain, we’re in this together. We look forward to continue working with you.
Referring patients to Boston Children’s during the COVID-19 pandemic
Boston Children’s continues to work closely with state and local officials to ensure the highest standard of safety for our patients, families, clinicians, and staff.
If you believe that a patient would benefit from receiving services from Boston Children’s, then you should refer that patient.
We are open and providing urgent, emergent, and medically necessary in-person care for patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. Depending on your patient’s needs, we may schedule a virtual visit. We have found virtual visits to be a safe and effective way to provide consultations and follow-up care that do not require providers to see patients face to face. In addition, our experts remain available for requests for second opinions. Please use standard operating procedures when referring patients to Boston Children’s. If you need more information regarding referring patients, please contact us for scheduling information.
Please be aware that all visits at Boston Children’s are currently by appointment only. We cannot accept walk-in visits, even for blood draws or radiology. Please contact us for scheduling information.
We follow strict infection control recommendations, and to further reduce the risk of COVID-19, we have added some additional measures to keep our environment as safe as possible.
Testing resources
For the latest guidance on who should get tested, and whether or not testing will be covered by your insurance, please visit mass.gov for more information.
When does a patient require COVID-19 testing?
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts recommends testing for anyone with COVID-19 symptoms and any individual who has had close contact a person with confirmed COVID-19 infection.
Patients with any the following symptoms (even if the symptoms are mild) should be tested for COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Signs of a lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, lowered oxygen saturation)
- Fatigue, sore throat, runny nose or congestion, headache, body aches/myalgia, or new loss of sense of taste or smell
- Less common symptoms can include gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), rash, inflammatory conditions such as “COVID toes”, and thromboembolic events
- Alterations in mental status or in blood glucose control (elderly, chronically ill, or debilitated individuals)
A person is considered a close contact if:
- They were less than 6 feet from a person with confirmed COVID-19 for at least 10-15 minutes while the person was symptomatic or within the 48 hours before symptom onset
- They had direct contact with infectious secretions of a person with confirmed COVID-19 while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment (e.g., gown, gloves, facemask, eye protection)
- Testing sites in Massachusetts: COVID-19 Test Site Locator
- How to obtain a nasopharyngeal swab specimen: Video and step-by-step instructions
- How to update testing site information (for use by testing sites): Pediatric Testing Site Information
- My Hospital Testing Story: Drive-through swab, Boston Children’s Family Education
- My Hospital Testing Story: Throat swab, Boston Children’s Family Education
- My Hospital Testing Story: Nasal swab, Boston Children’s Family Education
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Get the Facts About Coronavirus
Massachusetts Department of Public Health: COVID-19 Updates and Information
COVID-19 webinars for providers
COVID testing for kids
Working Together to Support Children & Families
Coping Through the Pandemic: Strategies for Parents and Children in the Time of COVID
COVID testing for kids
Guidance for pediatricians on COVID-19 and MIS-C
Reopening School Webinar - June 29, 2020
Advocating for Special Education Needs
Guidance for pediatricians on COVID-19 and MIS-C
Guidance for pediatricians understanding how to respond to MIS-C and practical advice from experts.
Reopening School Webinar - June 29, 2020
There are many questions about when — and how — to reopen our schools. Four experts discuss those questions.
Advocating for Special Education Needs
Back-to-school resources
Questions over whether or not children can safely attend day camps or return to school in the fall remain controversial. The following resources may help you provide guidance for your patients and families as school districts roll out their plans for the school year.
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
In its Initial Fall Reopening Guidelines the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) set forth a plan to safely reopen schools for as many students as possible. The DESE cites the need to balance the public health risks of COVID-19 with the emotional and social risks of keeping students out of school. DESE guidelines emphasize the ideal goal of in-person learning, and underscore the importance of access to in-person schooling to improve equity and anti-racism education.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC’s Considerations for Schools offer the most comprehensive and detailed considerations for K-12 schools. These guidelines emphasize “what is feasible, practical, acceptable, and tailored to the needs of each community.” The CDC considerations include detailed recommendations for creating safe school environments through the use of face coverings, extensive hand hygiene, physical distancing, and other measures.
American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics also places a strong emphasis on returning to in-person education in its COVID-19 Planning Considerations: Guidance for School Re-entry. The AAP guidelines discuss the importance of attending to students’ nutritional and mental health needs, maintaining onsite school-based health services if available, and maintaining a balanced curriculum with continued physical education and other learning experiences.
Resources for patients and families
Resources and advice from Boston Children’s experts to help parents manage their family’s health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keeping kids happy and healthy
COVID-19 has closed schools and businesses. Here's how to keep your family busy and less stressed during this uncertain time.
Tips for wearing a mask
Wearing a face mask or face covering in public is a big change. It can be hard for your child to get used to it.
Information about MIS-C
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), also called pediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome (PMIS or PIMS), is a newly recognized, potentially serious illness in children that seems to be related to COVID-19.
