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 and visitors. Thermal scanners are used at the Akron and Mahoning Valley campuses and regional health centers – 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.
- Testing patients on admission to our Akron and Beeghly campus hospitals for COVID-19 to detect unsuspected cases. NICU and Special Care Nursery patients will not be tested on admission unless they are born to a mother with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
- Testing patients for COVID-19 before surgery. Click here for details on where preop COVID-19 testing is available.
- Continually educating/retraining caregivers on PPE and hand hygiene.
- Cleaning common areas frequently.
- Limiting 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:
- Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine CDC Health Alert
- COVID-19 at 1 year: Lessons Learned
- Multi-system Inflammatory Syndrome
- COVID-19 Return to Sports Clearance
- Guidance on COVID Toes
- Back to School FAQs
- Pediatric COVID-19 exposure scenarios
- NEW Post-COVID Vaccine Myocarditis and Increased Interseasonal RSV 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 are offering telehealth and in-person visits for existing and new patients. Refer patients by calling the Appointment Center at 330-543-2778, using our online referral form or via EpicCare Link.
- NEW Surgery - Effective July 6, patients who are fully vaccinated against COVID will no longer be required to have a COVID test before a procedure. If a patient is younger than 12 or is eligible but has not received the vaccine, he or she must still be tested for COVID. Pre-operative and preprocedure testing for patients having surgery or a procedure at Akron Children’s Hospital is available via scheduled appointment by calling 330-543-2778, or walk-in at our Akron and Mahoning Valley campuses or at our Health Centers in Boston Heights, Mansfield, North Canton and Warren.
- Akron and Beeghly campus hospitals: We are testing all patients on admission to our hospitals for COVID-19 to detect unsuspected COVID-19 cases. NICU and Special Care Nursery patients will not be tested on admission unless they were born to a mother with confirmed/suspected COVID-19.
- 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.
Consults & Referrals
For patients in your practice with COVID-19 concerns:
- Provider-Only Consults: For referring providers only, call: 330-543-5203 or infectioncontrol@akronchildrens.org if you have specific questions on coronavirus.
- MIS-C: for consults, call Infectious Disease at 330-543-8395. To arrange a referral or transfer to our emergency departments in Akron or Boardman, call the Communication Center at 330-543-4567.
- 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.
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.
COVID-19 Vaccine NEW!
Akron Children’s is administering the COVID-19 vaccine to those meeting the state’s eligibility requirements. We are now also providing vaccines at Urgent Care locations with an appointment. Appointments can only be scheduled online. Availability is determined by our vaccine supply. Please check the site regularly as new appointments are added weekly.
