Allergy and Asthma Program

Prior to your visit in the Allergy and Asthma Program:

• Check with your primary care doctor to see if an insurance referral is required for your visit, and bring the appropriate referral forms and authorization numbers with you
• Review this important information regarding billing
• Ensure patient stops antihistamines one week prior to their visit for skin testing. It is OK to give Benadryl (diphenhydramine) up to three days before the visit.

In addition, you should bring:

• The name and complete address of your child's primary care doctor
• Medical records including, but not limited to, their growth chart, immunization records, x-rays, blood tests, skin test results, and medications
• Completed Allergy New Patient History form
• Asthma Control Test form for 4- to 11-year-old children or for 12 years and older (if previously diagnosed with asthma)
• Any forms required by your child’s daycare or school

If you are scheduled for a food challenge, venom testing, or medication/vaccine testing, get information about specific testing instructions.

To have a virtual visit, you just need a mobile device, tablet, or computer with Wi-Fi connection.

Once the appointment is scheduled, you will receive an email with the Zoom link, meeting ID, and password. Please download the Zoom application, and on the day/time of your appointment log in and join the meeting. On the day of the visit you can video chat with your provider/s and share screens.

Before the virtual visit with your provider, you will need to do the following:

• Register for the MyChildren's Patient Portal if you have not already
• Review the Patient User Guide for Virtual Visits with Zoom
• Complete the Pre-Visit Questionnaire that will be emailed to you five days before your visit. If your visit is scheduled within five days you will receive the email upon scheduling
• Complete the Asthma Control Test for 4- to 11-year-old children or for 12 years and older (if previously diagnosed with asthma) and send it through the MyChildren’s Portal*
• Send any photos to the provider through the MyChildren’s Portal if your visit has atopic dermatitis/eczema concerns. If you are sending photos, please review these Patient Photo Tips to ensure a successful virtual visit
• Send any lab results/skin testing results through the MyChildren’s Portal, if available*

* — Follow these instructions to upload questionnaires, photos, or other documents to the MyChildren’s Portal

At the time of the virtual visit:

• Log in and join the meeting five minutes before your visit
• Ensure that the patient is present and awake
• Use Wi-Fi but depending on your connectivity, data may work better
• Call the virtual visit support line if you have any issues at 617-919-4390

Checking in

When you arrive at the hospital, sign in at a kiosk, either in the main lobby or on Fegan 6. You will be able to update any demographic information, as well as pay your copay or any existing balance on the account.

After signing in at the kiosk, proceed to the front desk on Fegan 6 to complete your check in. You will then be asked for the Allergy New Patient History Form and the Asthma Control Test Form if you have ever been diagnosed with asthma. To save time at check-in, print and fill out these forms ahead of time and bring them with you.

During your visit

An evaluation may take one or two visits to the Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Program. The first visit can take two to four hours. Allergy skin testing, breathing tests, blood tests, or other tests may be completed. Allergy testing for medications (penicillin and other antibiotics), vaccines, or stinging insects will be scheduled after your first consult on a different day. These special types of tests are more intensive and may take up to three hours.

You may be asked if you are willing to have your child participate in a clinical research study or clinical trial. All clinical research is approved by the Boston Children’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). Participation in any research study is always voluntary.

After your visit

After one of our providers has seen you, make sure:

• Prescriptions are refilled
• School, camp, or work forms are completed
• Additional testing visits or follow-up appointments are scheduled

You can access the patient portal to see your clinical notes, lab results, or to contact your provider. At any time, do not hesitate to ask one of our staff for assistance or information.