Dear Bay Area Pediatrics Families,

The health and well-being of our patients and families are our primary concern.  With the COVID-19 situation changing rapidly, the providers at Bay Area Pediatrics are closely following information coming from the CDC and national experts.  At present, available evidence continues to demonstrate that the risk of severe illness and complications in children remains low.

In an effort to keep our patients, families and staff as safe as possible, we ask that you please follow these new guidelines: 

Pediatric patients still need to get well child checkups and the vaccines that protect them and others from serious communicable illnesses.  It is especially important that children ages four and under keep their scheduled well care appointments.  We have transitioned to seeing our well patients in the mornings and sick patients in the afternoons.  This separation of appointment times and the protocols described below are designed to minimize exposure.

If your child is showing signs of illness, please call the office or send us a portal message.  Our staff is carefully screening all calls and messages.  Depending on symptoms, you will be advised to continue care at home, schedule a telemedicine visit, schedule an appointment to come to our office, or be referred to an appropriate medical facility.

Whether you are coming to the office for a well or sick appointment, for everyone’s safety, we ask that you follow these instructions:

• When you arrive, please call us from your car.  We will check you in over the phone.
• We request that only one adult accompany your child, preferably not someone at higher risk of complications from COVID-19 (according to the CDC, older adults and those with serious chronic medication conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or lung disease).
• Please bring only the patient(s) with scheduled appointments to the office.  Siblings should be left at home, if possible.
• If you have a mask, we ask that you wear it.

If you have not already signed up for our Patient Portal, which provides easy, secure electronic communication with the office, please contact us.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Sincerely,
The Providers and Staff at Bay Area Pediatrics