Acute Care
There are multiple acute care visits that can be addressed over telehealth modalities, including synchronous audio and audio/video communications, as well as asynchronous messages over a secure text or email platform.
A possible clinic workflow can include primary triage with a nurse followed by telehealth visit. If a physical exam, immunization, or in-office procedure is required, the patient can then be scheduled for an in-person visit. This triage process can help to reduce exposure of patients with symptoms that may be consistent with SARS COV-2 to healthcare workers.
The following are examples of acute care telehealth visits:
- Rashes
- Eczema
- Acne
- Conjunctivitis
- Worried well
- Allergies
- Mental health crises
- Upper respiratory illness
- Gastrointestinal illness
- Minor musculoskeletal injury (i.e., sprain)
Also consider using telehealth for families who are concerned, and either are fearful of, or face barriers (i.e., transportation, work) to seeking in person care.
Resources for families:
- AAP Healthy Children: https://healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/Can-video-visits-be-good-for-my-child.aspx
References:
- AAP Clinical Guidance: “Caring for Children with Acute Illness in the Ambulatory Care Setting During the Public Health Emergency.” https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/caring-for-children-with-acute-illness-in-the-ambulatory-care-setting-during-the-public-health-emergency/
By: Pooja Kakar MD
Last updated: January 2021