Author Archives: Gretchen Lussier

Travel Restrictions and COVID-19

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Massachusetts residents are urged to limit out-of-State travel to States designated as COVID-19 low-risk States.

To determine whether you are required to complete the Massachusetts Travel Form  refer to: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order#lower-risk-states- to identify low-risk states.

If you have decided to travel to States that are NOT Low Risk COVID-19, you will need a COVID test upon the return to Massachusetts, please refer to this website: https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/a…/webappviewer/index.html… search for a location where a “Referral Not Required”.

It is not necessary to call us to make an appointment, you can make an appointment for a location and time that is most convenient for you. Call any location you choose to schedule your appointment.

Please reference this site for more information: https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-testing

Travel COVID Testing

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If you are traveling and need a COVID test upon the return to Massachusetts, please refer to this website: https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13 search for a location where a “Referral Not Required”.  This way you can make an appointment for a location and time that is most convenient for you.  Call any location you choose to schedule your appointment.

Please reference this site for more information: https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-testing

A Friendly Reminder…

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A friendly reminder to our PAM patients and parents:

PAM has taken extraordinary steps to prevent COVID-19 from being in our office. We are currently providing “In Office Visits” as well as “Virtual Visits”.

Some of the health issues our providers can assist with, either “In Office” or through “Virtual” visits, include:

*Well Visits

*Anxiety & Mood concerns

*Asthma Care

*Weight Management

*Spring Allergies

*Substance Use

*Acne

*Chronic Management of Existing Conditions

*Developmental/Behavioral/Parenting Questions

*Bedwetting over age 4

*Any other issue about your child that is of concern

We are here to care for you and you children. Please do not hesitate to contact us for a visit TODAY!

Immunization Schedule

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Here at Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, we have patient safety and the best possible health care in mind at all times.

We currently have protocols in place to see your child safely for well check visits. Call our office today to stay on track with vaccines. It is always important to have your child’s immunizations up to date. This is especially true during the COVID-19 Epidemic.

The following link reviews the vaccine schedule and a chart of Preventable Diseases, the symptoms, disease complications, and the vaccines that prevent those diseases.

https://www.cdc.gov/…/sche…/easy-to-read/child-easyread.html

As always, stay healthy and safe. We are here for you and your family.

Vaccinations Are Critical

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PLEASE keep your kid’s vaccinations up-to-date.

We are not able to protect your children from COVID-19 via vaccination YET – but it remains critical for your children’s well-being to protect them from many other extremely dangerous germs for which we do have reliable & safe vaccines.

Click on the image below to read an article that highlights the importance of keeping vaccinations up to date.

Face Masks for Protection

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We encourage our patients and families to wear face masks or coverings while in public spaces for COVID safety. We will be asking all families that visit our practice locations to wear a face mask or covering while inside the building. Homemade masks using cloth or bandanas are fine, but they must cover your mouth and nose.

Please check out the following links for some tutorials on making your own no-sew masks:

https://www.cdc.gov/…/prevent…/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

https://www.countryliving.com/…/how-to-make-no-sew-bandana…/

https://jennifermaker.com/no-sew-face-mask-tshirt/

EpiPen Safety Alert

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Below is a safety alert that was released by the FDA regarding EpiPen 0.3 mg and EpiPen Jr 0.15 mg:

ISSUE: FDA is alerting patients, caregivers and health care professionals that EpiPen 0.3 mg and EpiPen Jr 0.15 mg Auto-Injectors, and the authorized generic versions, may potentially have delayed injection or be prevented from properly injecting due to:

1. Device failure from spontaneous activation caused by using sideways force to remove the blue safety release
2. Device failure from inadvertent or spontaneous activation due to a raised blue safety release
3. Difficulty removing the device from the carrier tube
4. User errors

RECOMMENDATION: Health care providers, patients and caregivers should periodically review the EpiPen user instructions and practice using the EpiPen trainer to ensure proper understanding and utilization of the EpiPen.

Patients and caregivers should inspect their EpiPen prior to needing it to ensure the blue safety release is not raised and that the device can be easily removed from the carrier tube. Patients should always seek emergency medical help right away after using their EpiPen.

Health care providers, patients and caregivers are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

*Complete and submit the report online.
*Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

New Office Procedures

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The health and safety of our patients has always been our top priority, which is why our practice has made some important changes that we want our patients to be aware of. We have increased the frequency and heightened the extent of the daily cleanings in both of our offices. We will be seeing patients for check ups and non-sick visits in the morning only, and sick patients in the afternoon only. We believe this is an effective step to protect our patients, and aligns with other practice’s plans in our area as well. Our check-in procedures have also changed temporarily. All patients with appointments in the WILBRAHAM office are required to call 413-596-5096 from their car to check in for their appointment once they are in the parking lot. Patients with appointments in the BELCHERTOWN office should call 413-323-1137 to check in from the parking lot. Please DO NOT enter the building unless you are asked to do so by a staff member. At this time we are only allowing one parent and one patient to attend the appointment. If you are waiting to hear from us regarding an appointment or are requesting a call back, please make sure that your phone accepts private numbers as some of our staff may be working remotely for the time being. If you are feeling ill and are scheduled for a well visit or non-sick appointment, please call the office before your appointment so that our staff can ask you some important questions. We appreciate your patience during this time.

PAM No Longer Rounding at Baystate Medical Center

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Dear Parents and Caregivers of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine Newborns-

 
In September of 2017 our providers stopped rounding on babies born at Baystate Medical Center. 
While we may no longer be seeing you at Baystate Medical Center in the first few days after your delivery, please be assured that you and your newborn will continue to be in good hands. Our pediatric colleagues and residents at Baystate will assess and care for your newborn prior to their discharge. We will receive information about your newborn and be made aware of any and all concerns before their first office visit with us.  If you have any questions about the care of your newborn during your stay, please don’t hesitate to call our office.