Coronavirus Update for Health Care Professionals

• 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. 
• Dental Clinic - Dental services have resumed.
• Outpatient Radiology - Radiology services have resumed at our Boston Heights, Mansfield and North Canton Health Centers.
• Outpatient lab - Services have resumed at our Boston Heights, Mansfield and North Canton Health Centers.
• Rehabilitative Services - Appointments have resumed at our Massillon, Medina, New Philadelphia and Warren Health Centers. 
• 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 – These services for minor injury/illness were closed April 2 until further notice.
• Urgent Care: All Urgent Care locations are open with regular business hours. Find Urgent Care locations/hours here.
• Behavioral Health PHP/IOP
  • We have resumed in-person group therapy services with reduced capacity to respect social distancing standards in our Partial Hospitalization Program and Intensive Outpatient Program.
    • Alternative virtual service for those unable to come to therapy groups at this time will be provided via video as follows:
      • Intensive individual counseling – Up to 4 times per week
      • Family counseling – 1 session per week
      • Psychiatric evaluation – If clinically appropriate
      • Focus on skills building – Incorporating DBT and CBT skills
      • Case management services – To assist with setting up ongoing services if needed
    • To schedule a virtual intake assessment or learn more about our services, call 330-543-5015.
• 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. 

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: 
  • 330-543-2171 -- Mon to Fri 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
• 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 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.
• For specialty referrals, we are rescheduling postponed appointments and will continue to offer specialty care in-person and telehealth visits as appropriate. Referrals can be submitted via EpicCare Link or by calling or faxing our departments or the Appointment Center. Find referral numbers in Quick Scan or use our online referral form.

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 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.

Should we wear masks to come to an Akron Children's facility? 

To protect our patients, employees and other visitors, we are asking everyone visiting any Akron Children’s Hospital facility to wear a mask or face covering. Masks will be provided for visitors who do not bring their 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.

Akron Children’s Hospital is grateful to every individual and organization in our community who rallied to support our caregivers and patients during the COVID-19 crisis.

Due to your generosity, we now have enough cloth masks available to bridge the gap as personal protective equipment becomes less scarce. If you have been making masks and would like to donate those you have already finished, please email COVID.Resources@akronchildrens.org

We want to thank everyone who donated to keep our providers, visitors and patients safe. We are beyond amazed with the outpouring of care from our community, and we are forever indebted.