TEMPLE, Texas — Healthcare officials at Baylor Scott and White McLane Children’s Hospital said now that the shelter-in-place order has been lifted, many parents have yet to return to face-to-face appointments.
Doctors and nurses are happy to see patients virtually, but the goal is to get patients to come back to the clinic. The hospital is going above and beyond by implementing a safe care plan to make sure patients and kids are safe.
"This pandemic is a reminder of how vulnerable our population can be to these certain illnesses. It is important to keep in mind we still want to protect our children from mumps and measles,” Dr. Rebecca Freeman, Pediatric doctor at McLane’s Children’s Hospital, said.
Instead of waiting in the waiting room, patients are being sent straight to a check-up room and getting vital signs done. Temperatures are taken at the door and masks are being provided. The hospital is also doing curbside visits.
"Basically you pull up curbside and a physician will come out with the appropriate personal protective equipment to come provide care," Freeman said.
Freeman is urging parents to talk to their kids about what is going on with COVID-19, and not forget about immunizations and chronic condition visits for asthma, mental health and ADHD.
"We are seeing all those visits in the clinic the safest we can. This is a very stressful time for everyone, and our children are not immune to that stress," Freeman said.
Families are asked to come to McLane Children’s Hospital with one parent and minimize bringing other children to allow medical professionals to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Contact the hospital or your child's doctor if you're trying to figure out whether you can visit virtually, or if you need to bring your child in.
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