COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
Pediatric Provider Resources & Information
This page was last update on November 1, 2020
Pennsylvania COVID-19 Cases:
Pennsylvania clinicians are asked to report any suspected cases immediately by calling the Pa. Department of Health at 1-877PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) or your local health department.
Below is PA AAP’s compilation of resource materials on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak. This collection of links and resources for pediatric health care providers is updated on a weekly basis.
- PA saw 19,360 new cases since October 16th, bringing the total case count to 198,446 (includes confirmed and probable cases) in all 67 PA counties. View a breakdown of cases by region, county, gender, ethnicity, etc. here.
- Pennsylvania released an executive summary of its COVID-19 vaccination plan. View it here.
- Weekly Pennsylvania COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring Dashboard data has been released. 15 counties how have substantial transmission levels, and 43 counties have moderate transmission levels. Learn more
- DOH shared news about the latest round of rapid antigen test card distributions statewide. Learn more
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a final rule on with coverage and payment details for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program agencies, and most private health plans to administer the vaccine at no cost to patients during the public health emergency. Get a CMS fact sheet here.
- Secretary of State assures Pennsylvanians that rigorous precautions will be taken at polling places on Nov. 3 to keep voters, poll workers and election officials safe. Read more
- The U.S. Small Business Administration announced a simplified process for businesses to apply for Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness for loans of $50,000 or less. Learn more
- National & Global COVID-19 Cases: Find near real-time data using this map from Johns Hopkins University.
Pennsylvania clinicians are asked to report any suspected cases immediately by calling the Pa. Department of Health at 1-877PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) or your local health department.
Below is PA AAP’s compilation of resource materials on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak. This collection of links and resources for pediatric health care providers is updated on a weekly basis.
PA AAP Pediatric Workflow Guidance and Recommendations Based on a Synthesis of
CDC, AAP, AND PADOH Guidance
The document provided for download below highlights key strategies for managing COVID19 in an outpatient pediatric setting. These strategies have been been compiled based on current recommendations and feedback from our members. Please follow epidemiologic updates and guidance given by the CDC (CDC COVID19), the Pennsylvania Department of Health (Pennsylvania Department of Health COVID19), and the AAP (AAP COVID19) as the strategies listed here may change at any moment given the constantly evolving nature of this situation.
PA AAP Weekly COVID-19 Updates
PA AAP compiles weekly news, updates and resources on COVID-19 to be shared with members in an e-Newsletter. Below you will find the archived weekly COVID-19 updates. Resources in the newsletters are available in the resource sections below. To subscribe to the weekly updates, please reach out to info@paaap.org.
Testing
American Medical Association's Considerations for Physicians Ordering SARS-CoV-2 PCR Diagnostic Testing
American Medical Association's Considerations for the General Public Seeking SARS-CoV-2 PCR Diagnostic Testing
Pa. Department of Health Alert on Laboratory Testing Comparison (Issued 5/06/2020) - In this alert, DOH shared the CLIA laboratory testing comparison, available via CMS here.
CDC Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for COVID-19
CDC Overview of Testing for SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19 Testing Sites in Pennsylvania
Food and Drug Administration FAQs on COVID-19 Testing (Includes information on manufacturers distributing diagnostic and serology tests)
American Medical Association's Considerations for the General Public Seeking SARS-CoV-2 PCR Diagnostic Testing
Pa. Department of Health Alert on Laboratory Testing Comparison (Issued 5/06/2020) - In this alert, DOH shared the CLIA laboratory testing comparison, available via CMS here.
CDC Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for COVID-19
CDC Overview of Testing for SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19 Testing Sites in Pennsylvania
Food and Drug Administration FAQs on COVID-19 Testing (Includes information on manufacturers distributing diagnostic and serology tests)
Reimbursement and Telemedicine
Reimbursement
Telehealth
The use of telehealth is rapidly expanding in response to the COVID-19 emergency. Starting March 1, 2020 and for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicare will make payment for services furnished to beneficiaries in all areas of the country in all settings. Many other health insurers have also updated their telemedicine policies in response to the crisis.
Further Expansion of Telehealth in Medicare, Including an Increase in Payments for Telephone Visits Retroactive to March 1: On April 30, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a further expansion of telehealth in Medicare. CMS previously announced that Medicare would pay for certain services conducted by audio-only telephone between beneficiaries and their doctors and other clinicians. Now, CMS is broadening that list to include many behavioral health and patient education services. CMS is also increasing payments for these telephone visits to match payments for similar office and outpatient visits. This would increase payments for these services from a range of about $14-$41 to about $46-$110. The payments are retroactive to March 1, 2020. Get details on all the changes announced on April 30 here.
Additionally, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will waive penalties for HIPAA violations against health care providers that serve patients in good faith through everyday communications technologies, such as FaceTime or Skype, during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency. Note that OCR also offers guidance for providers on civil rights protections during the COVID-19 pandemic here.
AAP
AAP Guidance: Telehealth Payer Policy in Response to COVID-19
State Notices on Telehealth Policy.
Coding for Telemedicine
Implementing Telemedicine into Practice and After Hours
Selecting a Telemedicine Vendor
PA AAP is working with the National AAP and members across the state to compile telemedicine resources.
Additional Telemedicine Resources and Information
- Medicare Administrative Contractor COVID-19 Test Pricing
- Medicaid and CHIP Recipients' COVID-19 Testing and Treatment Resources Are Covered: FAQs and More (Pa. Department of Human Services)
- Medicare FFS Response to COVID-19 (Includes information on how to bill for counseling patients to self-isolate following COVID-19 testing)
- Aetna - Find updates on page six of this document.
- Capital Blue Cross
- Cigna
- Gateway
- Geisinger
- Highmark
- Independence Blue Cross
- Medicaid/Medical Assistance
- Medicaid/Medical Assistance Behavioral Health
- Medicare Telehealth Services - On March 17, 2020, CMS announced that telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries will be expanded during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Medicare Virtual Care Services
- UnitedHealthCare
- UPMC
- Workers' Compensation - Scroll to the final question in this FAQ for telehealth information.
Telehealth
The use of telehealth is rapidly expanding in response to the COVID-19 emergency. Starting March 1, 2020 and for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicare will make payment for services furnished to beneficiaries in all areas of the country in all settings. Many other health insurers have also updated their telemedicine policies in response to the crisis.
Further Expansion of Telehealth in Medicare, Including an Increase in Payments for Telephone Visits Retroactive to March 1: On April 30, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a further expansion of telehealth in Medicare. CMS previously announced that Medicare would pay for certain services conducted by audio-only telephone between beneficiaries and their doctors and other clinicians. Now, CMS is broadening that list to include many behavioral health and patient education services. CMS is also increasing payments for these telephone visits to match payments for similar office and outpatient visits. This would increase payments for these services from a range of about $14-$41 to about $46-$110. The payments are retroactive to March 1, 2020. Get details on all the changes announced on April 30 here.
Additionally, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) will waive penalties for HIPAA violations against health care providers that serve patients in good faith through everyday communications technologies, such as FaceTime or Skype, during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency. Note that OCR also offers guidance for providers on civil rights protections during the COVID-19 pandemic here.
AAP
AAP Guidance: Telehealth Payer Policy in Response to COVID-19
State Notices on Telehealth Policy.
Coding for Telemedicine
Implementing Telemedicine into Practice and After Hours
Selecting a Telemedicine Vendor
PA AAP is working with the National AAP and members across the state to compile telemedicine resources.
- Telemedicine vendor options- a document providing a comparison of a few telehealth platforms developed by Dr. David Wolfson, Medical Director - Children's Community Pediatrics, Pittsburgh, PA. We will keep this list updated as the information continues to evolve.
- Evaluating telemedicine vendors
Additional Telemedicine Resources and Information
Telemedicine Webinars
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"Implementing Telemedicine in Pediatric Practice" Posted 3/25/20
In this webinar, our panel addresses telehealth basics including how to get started using telehealth in your practice, technology considerations necessary for implementing a telehealth platform, and what you need to know in order to get paid for telehealth visits (billing and coding specifications). Presenters: Kristin Ray, MD: Director of Health Systems Improvements, Children's Community Pediatrics, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Bonnie Offit, MD, FAAP: Clinical Advisor in Digital Health, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, General Pediatrician, CHOP Care Network Chip Hart: Director of Primary Care Collaborative Pediatric Solutions, Primary Care Collaborative Pediatric EHR Solutions Recording Telemedicine Q&A Handout |
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AAP Telehealth and COVID-19 Webinar Posted 3/25/20
This webinar by Sue Kressly, MD, FAAP offers guidance on how to launch telehealth into practice during COVID-19. View Recording |
PPE Guidance and infromation
- Gov. Wolf Executive Order for Targeted Distribution of PPE and Other Supplies (Issued 4/08/2020) - Facilities and providers are required to submit inventory information via this online collection tool.
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal - The Portal is for manufacturers, distributors and other suppliers to inform us of supplies available for purchase and will allow the state to more quickly and efficiently procure these supplies for hospitals and medical facilities across Pennsylvania.
- Pa. Department of Health COVID-19 Guidance on Distribution of Personal Protective Equipment
- Pennsylvania Manufacturing Call to Action Portal - Matches and identifies manufacturers and distributors to fill specific supply chain needs to meet increasing demands for medical supplies and related products.
- Pa. Secretary of Health Order Requiring Universal Face Coverings (Expanded on 7/01/2020
PA Department of Health/CDC
Find all of the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 resources using the links below:
Non-Emergent Surgeries & Procedures
Many of your questions will be answered as they become available through the Health Alert Network’s below. The HAN updates will be sent to your email in real time and take a very short time to sign up for. All health care professionals are strongly encouraged to sign up for these notices.
- DOH Coronavirus Resources
- CDC Coronavirus Resources
- CDC Coronavirus Resources for Health Care Professionals
- CDC Coronavirus Resources for Schools and Childcare Programs
- COVID-19 Data for Pennsylvania
- COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard for Pennsylvania
- Pa. Secretary of Health Expanded Order Requiring Universal Face Coverings
- Pennsylvania COVID-19 Information for Travelers – DOH's COVID-19 Information for Travelers webpage recommends that those who travel, or plan to travel, to an area where there are high amounts of COVID-19 cases stay at home for 14 days upon return to Pennsylvania. Additionally, this webpage includes the current list of states for which - if an individual is returning to Pennsylvania after traveling to one of those states - it is recommended that the individual quarantine for 14 days upon return. Physicians and practices with specific questions about the quarantine recommendations should refer to their human resources policies or contact their legal counsel. DOH also offers FAQs on the recommendations, including information for employers, here.
Non-Emergent Surgeries & Procedures
- DOH guidance for health care providers on resuming non-urgent procedures (applicable for all health care provider settings except hospitals, ASFs, and dental practices)
- DOH guidance for hospitals
- DOH guidance for ambulatory surgical facilities
Many of your questions will be answered as they become available through the Health Alert Network’s below. The HAN updates will be sent to your email in real time and take a very short time to sign up for. All health care professionals are strongly encouraged to sign up for these notices.
Licensing Waivers and Suspensions
Federal Regulatory Updates
Below find summaries of the actions that Pennsylvania has taken concerning health practitioner licensure requirements during the COVID-19 emergency:
Licensure/Regulatory Action Taken in Other States
The Federation of State Medical Boards offers a a list of actions that states (including states that share a border with Pennsylvania) have taken action on licensure requirements. View List
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Updates on COVID-19 - This webpage lists all of the actions that CMS has taken in connection to the COVID-19 emergency.
- CMS COVID-19 Waivers and Flexibilities
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Authorizes Pharmacists to Administer Childhood Vaccines to Individuals Ages 3 to 18
Below find summaries of the actions that Pennsylvania has taken concerning health practitioner licensure requirements during the COVID-19 emergency:
- Gov. Wolf and Dept. of State Issue Certain Suspensions for PAs, CRNPs, CRNAs During COVID-19 Emergency
- Expedited Temporary Licensure for Out-of-State Practitioners & Requirements Related to Institutional Licensees
- Pennsylvania to Allow Retired Health Care Professionals to Bolster COVID-19 Response
- Pennsylvania Extends License Renewal Deadlines for Nurses, Graduate Medical Trainees during Coronavirus Emergency
- COVID-19 Waivers and Allowances for Graduate Medical Trainees
- Temporary Regulatory Suspension of Requirements for Emergency Oral Prescriptions
- Waiver of Regulatory Requirement on Age Limit for Pharmacist-Administered Flu Vaccines
- Temporary Regulatory Suspension of Requirements for Children's Immunizations in Pennsylvania
- Waiver to Allow Buprenorphine Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder via Telemedicine
Licensure/Regulatory Action Taken in Other States
The Federation of State Medical Boards offers a a list of actions that states (including states that share a border with Pennsylvania) have taken action on licensure requirements. View List
Business Resources and Loan Information
CARES Act Provider Relief
The bipartisan CARES Act provides $100 billion in relief funds to hospitals and other health care providers. Beginning April 10, 2020, $30 billion was distributed with payments arriving via direct deposit. All facilities and providers that received Medicare fee-for-service reimbursements in 2019 are eligible for this initial distribution. The CARES Act provider relief funds are payments, not loans, to health care providers, and will not need to be repaid.
Distribution of the remaining $20 billion of the general distribution to providers began on April 24. A portion of providers will automatically be sent an advance payment based off the revenue data they submit in CMS cost reports. Providers without adequate cost report data on file were required to submit their revenue information. Get details on all CARES Act provider relief funding at hhs.gov/providerrelief and check out the updates below:
OSHA Guidance for Businesses
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers guidance on how to maintain operations in a pandemic. View OSHA Guidance.
The bipartisan CARES Act provides $100 billion in relief funds to hospitals and other health care providers. Beginning April 10, 2020, $30 billion was distributed with payments arriving via direct deposit. All facilities and providers that received Medicare fee-for-service reimbursements in 2019 are eligible for this initial distribution. The CARES Act provider relief funds are payments, not loans, to health care providers, and will not need to be repaid.
Distribution of the remaining $20 billion of the general distribution to providers began on April 24. A portion of providers will automatically be sent an advance payment based off the revenue data they submit in CMS cost reports. Providers without adequate cost report data on file were required to submit their revenue information. Get details on all CARES Act provider relief funding at hhs.gov/providerrelief and check out the updates below:
- Reporting Requirements: Those who received one or more CARES Act Provider Relief Fund payments exceeding $10,000 in total are required to report spending information. HHS has shared a notice on the reporting requirements. HHS says a reporting system will be available on Oct. 1. Read HHS’ notice.
- AMA Update on CARES Act Relief Funding: On June 26, the AMA reported an issue with the drafting of the CARES Act bill that, if left unaddressed, could mean that entities who received relief funds would be required to pay taxes on those funds. The AMA has joined other organizations in asking Congress to correct this error. Find out more in this AMA article.
- COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses Maintaining In-Person Operations
- COVID-19 Safety Procedures for Businesses (Businesses maintaining in-person operations are required to prominently display this information and notice. Find a Spanish-language version of the notice here.)
- CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Options - The U.S. Small Business Administration provides more information on temporary coronavirus relief funding options: Paycheck Protection Program (applications no longer being accepted for PPP); EIDL Loan Advance; SBA Express Bridge Loans; and SBA Debt Relief.
- COVID-19 Business Resources (Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development) – DCED offers working capitol loans that could be of assistance to businesses impacted by COVID-19. Resources and information will be posted to DCED’s webpage as they become available.
- COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance program – This state program administered by DCED provides grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to small businesses that have been economically impacted by COVID-19. Applications for the second round of funding will be accepted from Aug. 10, 2020 through Aug. 28, 2020.
- American Medical Association Physician Practice R.elief Guide
- Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry: Coronavirus Resources for Businesses
- COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources (U.S. Small Business Administration)
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Resources for Businesses
- U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division guidance on the federal Family First Coronavirus Response Act
- COVID-19 and Unemployment Compensation: FAQs (Pa. Office of Unemployment Compensation)
- What You Should Know about COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other Equal Employment Opportunity Laws (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
- Information for Pennsylvania Employees Impacted by COVID-19 (Pa. Office of Unemployment Compensation)
OSHA Guidance for Businesses
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers guidance on how to maintain operations in a pandemic. View OSHA Guidance.
Education
The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education has compiled a list of coronavirus education resources that can help clinicians respond.
Resources for your office
- Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed COVID-19 or People Under Investigation for COVID-19 in a Healthcare Setting (CDC)
Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control FAQs for COVID-19. - Risk Assessment and Management of Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure to Patients with COVID-19 (CDC)
- Healthcare Professional Preparedness Checklist for Transport and Arrival of Patients with Confirmed or Possible COVID-19 (CDC)
Printer ready PDF version - Steps Healthcare Facilities Can Take Now to Prepare for COVID-19 (CDC)
- Coronavirus fact sheet for Health Care Facility Employees (DOH)
- Coronavirus fact sheet for Health Care Facility Patients (DOH)
- OSHA Control & Prevention for Healthcare
- Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19 (CDC)
- Insurance Coverage and Coronavirus: Frequently Asked Questions (Pa. Department of Insurance)
- Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities (CDC)
- Prevention & Treatment (CDC)
CDC Handouts and PostersCDC Videos
Resources for patients
Share the Facts, Stop Fear (CDC)
CDC Handouts and Posters
More Information on COVID-19:
CDC Handouts and Posters
- What You Need to Know - English or Spanish
- What to Do if You Are Sick – English or Spanish
- Stop the Spread of Germs – English or Spanish
- Symptoms of COVID-19 – English or Spanish
More Information on COVID-19:
- Social Distancing: Why Keeping Your Distance Helps Keep Others Safe
- Working and Learning from Home During the COVID-19 Outbreak
- Positive Parenting & COVID-19: 10 Tips to Help Keep the Calm at Home
- Getting Children Outside While Social Distancing
- Tips for Coping with a New Baby During COVID-19
- Ask the Pediatrician: Are there shortages of infant formula due to COVID-19?
- Simple Ways to Entertain & Boost Your Baby's Development at Home
- Teens & COVID-19: Challenges and Opportunities During the Outbreak
- COVID-19: Information for Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
- Co-Parenting Through COVID-19: Putting Your Children First
- Hand Washing: A Powerful Antidote to Illness
- Cloth Face Coverings for Children During COVID-19
- Breastfeeding During COVID-19 Pandemic
- Caring for Children in Foster Care During COVID-19
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, would it be safer to plan a home birth rather than deliver my baby at the hospital?
- Is it OK to call the pediatrician during COVID-19 even if I'm not sure my child is sick?
UPCOMING WEBINAR
Details TBD
LATEST WEBINAR
Continuing to Support Mental Health During COVID-19
Presenters:
Justin Schreiber, DO, MPH, FAAP- Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, UPMC
Session Learning Objectives:
As a result of participation in this activity, participants will be able to:
Presenters:
Justin Schreiber, DO, MPH, FAAP- Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, UPMC
Session Learning Objectives:
As a result of participation in this activity, participants will be able to:
- Describe psychological and physiological impact of stress due to COVID19
- Identify signs and symptoms of increased stress response
- Describe stress coping mechanisms and guidance to provide families during COVID19
PA AAP #CallYourPediatrician Well Child and Immunization Campaign
With national data showing immunization rates for all ages dipping to dangerously low levels, today the American Academy of Pediatrics is launching a campaign urging parents to call their pediatricians to schedule check-ups and vaccines for children of all ages.
LEARN MORE
LEARN MORE
"The Bed Warriors"When the bed warriors' defenses are strong...
#CallYourPediatrician |
COVID-19 To-Do'sLet your Pediatrician take ‘em off your hands for 20 minutes. Don’t skip vaccines or checkups, or ignore concerns about your child’s health. Pediatricians are offering options like telehealth and have implemented strict safety measures.
#CallYourPediatrician |
"Mini Picasso"When your mini Picasso's masterpiece is a Picass-no...
#CallYourPediatrician |
From AAP:
Visit the COVID-19 web page on AAP.org to find updated resources such as clinical guidance, practice management resources, including tele-health and coding, educational resources for clinicians and families, data reports, a discussion board, and details on AAP advocacy efforts. For questions or comments related to the pandemic, email COVID-19@aap.org.
AAP Resources
AAP Updated Clinical Guidance
AAP News
AAP Flu Guidance & Resources
New Resources for Families on Healthychildren.org
Interactive Town Hall Series on COVID-19- The AAP now hosts a bi-weekly series of virtual town halls linking members with leading experts to discuss emerging issues related to caring for patients and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Visit the COVID-19 web page on AAP.org to find clinical guidance, practice management resources, including telehealth and coding, educational resources for clinicians and families, data reports, a discussion board, and details on AAP advocacy efforts. This page is updated daily and is the best place to locate AAP resources. For questions or comments related to the pandemic, email COVID-19@aap.org.
Additional resources: - AAP News: Coronavirus disease outbreak coverage
- AAP Red Book Online: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infections
- Pediatrics curated collection of articles on COVID-19
- Healthychildren.org provides guidance for parents on COVID-19
Visit the COVID-19 web page on AAP.org to find updated resources such as clinical guidance, practice management resources, including tele-health and coding, educational resources for clinicians and families, data reports, a discussion board, and details on AAP advocacy efforts. For questions or comments related to the pandemic, email COVID-19@aap.org.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics and Children’s Hospital Association Weekly Report- 77,073 new child cases reported from 9/24-10/8 (608,718 to 685,791), a 13% increase in child cases over 2 weeks. Learn more
AAP Resources
- Special Amazon Business Account Available for Members -AAP has partnered with Amazon to offer a special business account so AAP members can purchase PPE quickly and easily. Members will get premier access to Amazon’s wide product selection, competitive prices, and special access to COVID-19 supplies. In addition, members receive free shipping on orders over $25. Find more information here.
AAP Updated Clinical Guidance
- Family Presence Policies for Pediatric Inpatient Settings During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Guidance on family presence policies developed to support family-centered care for all children and particularly for children with special health care needs, including those with disabilities, medical complexity, and serious illness. (10/12/2020)
- Newborn Screening During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Guidance recommending that pediatricians continue to follow federal and state guidelines on newborn bloodspot screening, newborn hearing screening, and critical congenital heart disease screening. (Updated 10/6/2020)
- Frequently Asked Questions: Interfacility Transport of the Critically Ill Neonatal or Pediatric Patient with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19: Guidance for both ground and air patient movements that balances infection control with transport safety to reduce risks for medical staff and patients. (Updated 10/6/2020)
- Updated Guidance: Guidance on the Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Pediatric Care in Ambulatory Care Settings During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic (Updated 9/30/2020)
AAP News
- Study: Working in child care not linked to COVID-19 risk early in pandemic by Melissa Jenco, News Content Editor on October 14, 2020 Read more
- How to handle requests for medical clearance, mask exemptions during COVID-19 by James P. Scibilia, M.D., FAAP on October 9, 2020 Read more
AAP Flu Guidance & Resources
- A new web page, Preparing for Flu Season, is now available. The page provides information and resources to help practices maximize influenza vaccination rates while keeping patients, families, and practice teams safe during the pandemic and includes a link to a recording of the Preparing Your Practice for the 2020-21 Influenza Season: A Virtual Townhall webinar.
New Resources for Families on Healthychildren.org
- Should Your Child be Tested for COVID-19?
- Having a Baby While Positive For COVID-19: FAQs
Interactive Town Hall Series on COVID-19- The AAP now hosts a bi-weekly series of virtual town halls linking members with leading experts to discuss emerging issues related to caring for patients and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Session #: October 22, 2020 at 7:00 pm CT COVID-19 Town Hall Session: COVID-19 and Kids – What’s the Latest? Join us for our next COVID-19 Town Hall session on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at 7:00 pm CT. Get answers to your burning questions about COVID-19 in kids from AAP members with infectious disease, public health, and primary care expertise. Participants are encouraged to submit questions when they register, as well as during the live event.
- Register here.