- Wash hands before and after medical care of your child (especially suctioning and mouth care).
- Clean all high-touch surfaces regularly (including cell phones!) and if your child has more than normal secretions.
- If your child uses a nebulizer, or when suctioning, consider wearing a mask.
- Make sure you have a good supply of medicines (30-day supply if possible) for your child. Medicaid may provide a 90-day supply of medicines.
- Make sure you have all the supplies for caring for your child at home for a month.
- For children with a G-Tube: Check that you have a replacement; if you do not have a replacement, call your medical equipment company to send one.
- Conserve/save supplies. Most items are still readily available, but be aware that this could change.
- COVID-19 spreads if there is close contact between people (less than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes increases spread from person to person).
- Avoid crowds and large gatherings like church services or concerts; limit travel.
- Prohibit any non-essential visitors to the home, including in-home therapies and school.
- Cancel/reschedule appointments that are not absolutely necessary.
- Contact the clinic (via phone or myWakeHealth) if you have concerns about your child.
- If you don't already have a myWakeHealth account, you may sign up for one now.
- Know the phone numbers of clinics at Brenner Children's.
- If your child is sick, before coming to the clinic/hospital, call your provider (either your pediatrician or specialist).
- Please be aware of our new clinic policy. Only one family member/support person who is healthy – free from fever, cough, cold or stomach virus symptoms – may accompany a patient to their appointment, including the waiting area.
- Use the ED only when essential; when possible, call for a clinic visit instead.
- If your child is admitted to the hospital, be aware of new hospital policies:
- There will be changes to the work flow including parents/caregivers to stay in the hospital room.
- We recommend that you bring your child’s own medical equipment to the hospital when possible (e.g., CPT vest).
For children with home health nursing:
- Ask the home health nurses coming to take care of your child if they have fever and respiratory symptoms; avoid nurses who have fever or respiratory symptoms.
- Home health nurse staffing may decrease either because of nurse potential exposure/illness or family exposure.
- Home health nursing agencies and DME companies may have special policies because of COVID-19. Contact your child’s DME company and home health agency to understand their policies.
- For emergency equipment malfunction, call the DME company.
- Keep the sick person isolated from others, especially from the child with medical complexity.
- Avoid pets from interacting with the individual who is sick.