COVID-19 Preparedness
At Akron Children’s Hospital, serving our patients in a clean and safe environment has always been of utmost importance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have redoubled our efforts and are closely following ODH/CDC guidelines.
As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 situation, we are:
- Limiting entry points at the Akron and Mahoning Valley campuses.
- Monitoring the temperature of patients, visitors and staff. Thermal scanners are being used at the Akron and Mahoning Valley campuses and regional health centers – and a temperature will only be taken to validate a result above 100.4 degrees. Temperatures are taken at other Akron Children’s facilities.
- Practicing physical distancing at all facilities. Families can check in for appointments using Mobile Check-in and stay in their vehicles until it’s time to come inside.
- Testing patients for COVID-19 before they have surgery. Click here for details on where preoperative COVID-19 testing is available.
- Continually educating/retraining caregivers on PPE and hand hygiene.
- Cleaning common areas frequently.
- Installing more hand sanitizer dispensers.
- Decreasing the number of visitors.
- Giving surgical masks to all on-site employees.
- Asking everyone to wear masks or face coverings, except for kids under 2 or those with sensory issues. Masks are provided for visitors who do not bring their own.
Download our Safety Preparations infographic.
Related Resources
Resources
COVID-19 resources for healthcare practices:
Referring provider updates:
Find current situation data here:
- Ohio Department of Health • CDC • WHO
- Ohio Department of Health: coronavirus.ohio.gov
Find health care information here:
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Resources for Clinicians
- CDC
Resources for families:
Akron Children's:
- Visit our web page for families: akronchildrens.org/coronavirus
- Back to school information
- Health and Parenting Information from Inside Children’s blog
- COVID-19 Prevention Tips Video Playlist
Other sites:
- CDC: Coronavirus What you need to know
- Ohio Department of Health hotline • 833-427-5634 • coronavirus.ohio.gov
- Summit County Public Health Department • 330-926-5795 • scph.org/covid-19
- Summa Health hotline • 234-867-6314
Physician Liaisons
Our physician liaison team is always available to help you and your practice with any questions or concerns you have about our hospital system. Please call or email your liaison for assistance.
Your Health Care Partner
You can rely on our services
We remain committed to providing high-quality pediatric care and appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with you in the care of your patients.
- We are resuming ambulatory surgeries and procedures. Patients will be tested for COVID-19 before they are scheduled for surgery.
- Our clinics are continuing to see patients both in-person and via telehealth.
- Our Akron and Beeghly campus EDs remain open 24/7.
- Our pharmacy and radiology services remain in place.
- Our outpatient lab and radiology services are operating as usual.
How can we help?
- Check this site frequently for updates as the situation changes rapidly.
- Our physician liaisons remain available as always to assist with information and concerns about our services.
- Make a referral
Clinical & Operational Updates
- Specialty Care Our subspecialty departments have resumed office visits and are offering telehealth and in-person visits for existing and new patients. Refer patients by calling/faxing departments numbers in Quick Scan or use our online referral form here.
- Surgery - We have resumed ambulatory surgeries and procedures. Patients will be tested for COVID-19 prior to their scheduled surgery.
- Aultman and St. Joseph Warren Hospitals pediatric inpatient units – Our 5-bed Warren unit and 27-bed Aultman pediatric units remain closed until further notice. All patients will be admitted to our Akron and Beeghly campus hospitals.
- Call the Comm Center for direct admissions or to arrange transport 800-221-5437
- All of our regional NICUs and special care nurseries remain open.
- Quick Care Boardman and Portage – These services for minor injury/illness have resumed at Boardman and are now open at the Portage Health Center.
- Urgent Care: All Urgent Care locations are open with regular business hours. Find Urgent Care locations/hours here.
- Pediatric Grand Rounds have resumed. Sessions will be held via WebEx to maintain physical distancing requirements. Visit the CME calendar for the schedule of events.
Consults & Referrals
For patients in your practice with COVID-19 concerns:
- Provider-Only Hotline: For referring providers only, we have a new phone number for physicians to call with specific questions on coronavirus. When you have a patient in your office and need immediate assistance, call: 330-543-COVD (2683)
- Quick Care Online: Our Quick Care Online telehealth service is available with trained pediatric providers who can evaluate patients with concerns about COVID-19 exposure and disease. If you are caring for a child with such concerns and wish to refer them, families can access the service via a mobile phone, tablet or computer with video capability. Children will be assessed by a pediatrician and care recommendations will be made. Families can access the service here or they can download the Akron Children’s Quick Care Online app on their Apple or Android devices.
For referrals to ED, Specialty Care and other services:
- If emergency care is warranted, please refer as you normally would.
- To arrange an admission or transport, call our Communications Center at 800-221-5437.
- Specialty referrals can be made here.
Akron Children’s criteria for COVID-19 Testing
At the present time, the Akron Children’s Hospital laboratory cannot accept referrals for COVID-19 testing from outside our system. Testing capacity is limited. Inpatients, staff and preop/pre-procedure patients are being prioritized. We are working hard to expand capacity and will inform you when this policy changes. Commercial labs and other local options are available throughout the region for COVID-19 testing. Please do not hesitate to use those resources.
Visiting the Hospital
Should we wear masks to come to an Akron Children's facility?
State officials designated certain counties as “Red” Level 3 Public Health Emergencies. Face coverings are now required for indoor, public places. We ask that patients and families at locations in Summit and Trumbull counties wear face coverings, except for kids under 2 or those with sensory issues. Masks will be provided if you do not wear your own.
Children under the age of 2 or those with sensory issues are not required to wear a mask.
Please review the CDC guidelines on wearing, removing and cleaning cloth masks.
Here are instructions on creating DIY masks that don’t require sewing.
Please see our Visiting the Hospital page for additional information.
