COVID Info for Community Physicians
- News & Updates
- COVID-19 Testing
- Service Updates
- Support Contacts
- Patient Resources
News & Updates for Medical Professionals
We're doing our best to assure our patient families, associates and affiliates of our preparedness during the COVID-19 public health emergency. We want to work with you to ensure all patients get the most appropriate care.
MIS-C: A Serious COVID-19 Complication
While COVID-19 usually causes a milder infection in children than in adults, some kids can become seriously ill with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) — sometimes several weeks after being infected with COVID-19. Learn more about MIS-C.
If you have nonurgent questions about MIS-C or would like to request a consult on a patient displaying symptoms of COVID-19, please email covid19misc@nemours.org.
Return to Sports Physicals During COVID-19
Because of the finding that COVID-19 can leave student athletes at an increased risk of myocarditis and other serious complications, return to sports evaluations have changed and are more important than ever before.
Get guidance from Nemours Children's pediatric specialists on Managing Return to Sports Evaluations in the Age of COVID-19 and use this Patient Screening Questionnaire to assess risk.
COVID-19 Education Opportunities
Monthly Webinar: COVID-19 in Pediatrics
Listen as infectious disease experts lead discussions on the most current COVID-19 issues facing pediatricians. Search for topics of interest in our CME course catalog or get notifications sent to you by joining our email list.
On-Demand COVID-19 Modules
Topics cover COVID-19-related issues, including how COVID-19 can impact return to sports and the COVID-19 vaccine. In a recent lecture given by Nemours infectious disease specialists, the faculty describe the clinical trials used to evaluate the two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and likely challenges to COVID-19 vaccine implementation. CME credit is available. View the module library.
Curated Pediatric COVID-19 Evidence-Based Medicine Resources
Nemours medical librarians and faculty have created an on-demand library of the best evidence-based resources on COVID-19. It is updated twice weekly and CME credit is available. Visit the website.
COVID-19 Testing in Your Area
Currently Nemours is only testing presurgical, preprocedural and preadmission patients at our Mobile Testing Center. We do not offer routine COVID-19 testing for your pediatric patients or for adults in the community.
If you have patients who need a COVID-19 test, we encourage you to obtain the test in your office or use community-based testing options.
Please check these websites for testing locations and requirements. Most community testing sites do not require a physician referral.
Delaware
New Jersey
- State COVID-19 testing sites
- PM Pediatrics testing
- Patient First Urgent Care testing (for children 5 years and older)
Pennsylvania
If you have any questions, please contact your Nemours physician liaison.
Urgent and Emergency Care for COVID-19 Patients
Nemours & Nemours-Affiliated Urgent Care Locations
Urgent care is available for patients who need nonemergent in-person evaluations.
While walk-in service is available, providers should call ahead for patients with suspected COVID-19 to allow the clinic to prepare appropriately. Please do not send your patients for the purpose of testing only.
Nemours Emergency Departments
The Emergency Department (ED) is for patients who require emergent clinical evaluation only.
Providers should call the ED in advance to allow for preparation for a patient with suspected COVID-19. Please do not send your patients for the purpose of testing only.
Outpatient Diagnostic Services During COVID-19
In an effort to promote social distancing and minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19, we're asking providers to help us eliminate patient walk-in visits for diagnostic services.
We can still provide same-day service, but ask that all patient families call to schedule the requested service before arriving at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware.
Scheduling Protocols
- While scheduling the diagnostic appointment, the patient and accompanying parent or caregiver will be screened for possible COVID-19 exposure.
- Processes are in place to safely manage those who screen positive and require diagnostic services.
Hospital Visit Protocols
- Up to four healthy caregivers and visitors (including siblings) are permitted at the bedside in the Clinical Inpatient Units.
- Caregivers who are sick are urged to stay home and send another healthy caregiver to be with their child or call us to reschedule their appointment.
Medical Imaging Services
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: (302) 651-4636
Special instructions: Please have the family specify the ordering provider’s urgency for the study (same day, within one week, etc.).
Outpatient Specimen Collection/Laboratory Services
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: (302) 651-4200
Special instructions: Ask family to request a “SAME DAY — URGENT” appointment. This visit type will identify the testing as immediately necessary.
Telehealth Visits
All Nemours providers use telehealth through our Nemours app platform to see new and existing patients when office visits are not necessary. Learn more about new patient telehealth visits.
If you would like to offer this option to your patients before they come to your office for care, have patients:
- Download the Nemours app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Follow the steps in the app to enroll their child before the visit.
If you have any questions email us at digitalhealthsupport@nemours.org.
Physician Support Contacts
Nemours Physician Liaisons
Your Nemours physician liaison can help you navigate patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic. We can answer questions about our policies and procedures, and connect you to the latest COVID-19 guidance and information. We work with you to provide the best possible care to your pediatric patients.
Nemours Affiliate Contacts
If you are a Nemours affiliate and you have questions about our current operations or patient care plans, please contact a member of our team.
Delaware Valley
Mark Ogino, MD
mark.ogino@nemours.org
Emily Burrell
emily.burrell@nemours.org
Mary Donar Reale
mary.reale@nemours.org
Florida
Jane Ierardi, MD
jane.ierardi@nemours.org
Noelle Marcelino
noelle.marcelino@nemours.org
Al Torres, MD
al.torres@nemours.org
Vonda Sexton
vonda.sexton@nemours.org
Resources for Your Patients
For updates on what Nemours is doing to keep patient families safe during this time and for answers to FAQs, please visit nemours.org/coronavirus.
Nemours KidsHealth® is a great resource for parents and children who wish to learn more about COVID-19 and how to stay safe. The content is fully vetted by Nemours providers and is updated regularly as we learn more about the virus.