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​COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)

​Pediatric Provider Resources & Information
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. An outbreak of the coronavirus, now officially named COVID-19, was first identified in Wuhan, China. It has since spread to countries around the world, including the United States.

  • COVID-19 Cases in Pennsylvania: As of March 30 at 12 p.m., the Pa. Department of Health has reported 4,087 COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania. Get Pa. Department of Health COVID-19 updates here. Learn how to register for SERVPA, Pa.'s online registry for medical and non-medical volunteers, here.

  • 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 was updated March 30, 2020 and we will continue to update as information becomes available. 

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.
Symptoms & Virus Transmission​
The CDC's coronavirus webpage confirms that patients with COVID-19 infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
  • fever
  • cough
  • shortness of breath
CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 after exposure. According to the CDC, the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:
  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
  • Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
  • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Education ​
The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education has compiled a list of coronavirus education resources that can help clinicians respond.
Clinical Considerations ​
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.
Health Alert Network Info
Preparedness ​
Telemedicine and Virtual Care
HIPAA: Effective March 17, 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. Get details here.

Additionally, get these OCR FAQs on this notice and this SAMHSA FAQ on 42 CFR Part 2, seeking to ensure that substance use disorder treatment services are uninterrupted during this public health emergency.
Cost-Sharing Flexibility: The HHS Office of Inspector General is providing flexibility if providers choose to reduce or waive cost-sharing for telehealth visits during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Get details here.

Pennsylvania Guidance: The Pa. Department of State has issued telemedicine guidance to address COVID-19. Get details here. 

Check out links to telemedicine policies for Pennsylvania insurers below*: *Important Note: Please keep in mind that insurers are making updates to policies frequently as they respond to COVID-19. We encourage you to contact the insurers you work with directly with any questions you have regarding their telemedicine policies.

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
Pennsylvania physicians and practices can also get resources as well as technical assistance through the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center (MATRC). Visit matrc.org to learn more.
Additional Telemedicine Resources and Information

Telemedicine Webinars

 "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
​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
PA State waivers and Suspensions
Pennsylvania to Allow Retired Health Care Professionals to Bolster COVID-19 Response
03/25/2020
The Pennsylvania is acting to enable retired health care professionals to assist with the COVID-19 response by waiving certain licensing regulations. These new regulation suspensions increase the number of available and qualified health care practitioners in Pennsylvania by allowing retired practitioners to re-enter their field more easily...
Read the Press Release
Read the waiver document

Pennsylvania Expands Access to Pharmacy Services
03/22/2020
The Wolf administration is removing barriers for pharmacies to provide services for Pennsylvanians in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Governor Wolf has granted a request from the Pennsylvania Department of State to suspend certain pharmacy regulations to enable more flexible and available services during the coronavirus emergency.
Read the Press Release
Read the suspension document

Some License Requirements for Qualified Physicians Assistants Are Suspended During Coronavirus Emergency
03/22/2020
In order to allow physician assistants practicing under the state Board of Osteopathic Medicine to more easily and effectively assist with emergency response efforts to COVID-19, Governor Wolf granted the Department of State’s request to suspend requirements pertaining to written agreements and several other items. READ MORE

Pennsylvania Waives Some Nurse Licensing Requirements to Aid Coronavirus Response
03/21/2020
The Department of State has waived certain administrative requirements for nurses, including temporarily extending license expiration dates and waiving associated fees during the coronavirus emergency.
Read the Press Release 
Read the waiver document

Resources for your office
  
CDC Handouts and PostersCDC Videos
Resources for Patients
CDC Handouts and Posters CDC Videos Stop the Spread of Germs ​​​

Resources and Graphics from AAP

​From AAP:  
From AAP News:
“AAP offers response and updates for members on COVID-19“
“Coronavirus disease outbreak” 
“Preparedness measures urged in anticipation of more COVID-19 cases in U.S.: CDC” 
Red Book Online “2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infections“
“Preparedness Checklist for Pediatric Practices“
“COVID-19 testing criteria expanded“
“AAP postpones leadership conference, shares COVID-19 guidance“
“CDC updates guidance on PPE for health care personnel; COVID-19 declared a pandemic“
© 2019 PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
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This website is a publication of PA AAP and is intended to be a forum for information and communication among the PA AAP membership, individuals and groups interested in the health and well-being of children. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the electronic documents and resources provided on this website. However, the PA AAP makes no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding errors or omissions and assumes no legal liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of information contained within.