If you want to make a well visit appointment, read this
It is Monday, January 25, 2021
This morning we sign off from our answering service at 8:00 am to take phone calls directly from our office.
Today’s Lineup
Dr. Jen Long is our On Call Pediatrician today. In addition to typical office duties, our On Call Pediatrician takes calls overnight beginning at 5:00 pm.
Well Child Care at Duraleigh: Drs. Rick Gessner, Lily Harris, Todd Harris, and Tom Sena are our pediatricians seeing well patients today at Duraleigh
Sick Child Care at Brier Creek: Dr. Ben Meares is our pediatrician seeing sick patients today at Brier Creek (both inside and in our Curbside Clinic)
TeleHealth Visits Online: Drs. Jen Long and Emily Mims are our pediatricians seeing TeleHealth visits today
Our office will be closed for regular business on Friday, January 1, 2021 in observance of the New Years Day holiday.
Like everyday, one of our pediatricians will be on call to help with your child’s urgent health needs
There will be a morning clinic to follow-up with some of our well infants born over this past week
During the coronavirus pandemic, we have altered how we see sick patients on holidays and weekends
On Sundays and holidays, sick patients may schedule a TeleHealth visit with our On Call Pediatrician
On Saturdays, sick patients may still schedule a TeleHealth visit but our Brier Creek Curbside Sick Clinic will also be available for an in-person, sick visit
Illness does not recognize holidays, so here is how RCAM plans to be available during the holiday season:
It is our wish to be your child’s medical home – one place where all your child’s care resides.
That means being available for questions:
Every day of the year one of our pediatricians is on call 24-hours-a-day for urgent health concerns.
If you ever have urgent concerns about your child’s health – you can always call us: 919-781-7490 (If there is trouble with the above number, our on call backup number is 919-831-5526)
That means being available to be seen – even if it is a holiday or a weekend:
We strive to keep our patients out of Urgent Cares and Pharmacy Clinics; Emergency Rooms provide a vital service but – when possible – we want to keep you from having to go there too.
The Coronavirus / COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted weekend and holiday hours: up until now, we have offered only in person, well newborn care on weekends and holidays; sick care has been provided through online TeleHealth appointments
Beginning in December, we will have an extra pediatrician working on Saturday who will see in person sick visits from 10am to Noon at our Brier Creek office (these visits are by appointment only)
Christmas Day is the only day of the year that we do not see patients in our office (but we are available by phone all day).
WEDNESDAY – November 25
RCAM Pandemic Mode typical weekday:
Well Care and Newborn Care at our Duraleigh office
Sick Care available online via TeleHealth Appointment
In Person Sick Visits at our Brier Creek office
THURSDAY – Thanksgiving Day – November 26
BOTH offices closed for routine business
Newborn clinic will be offered at our Duraleigh office
On Call Pediatrician available for TeleHealth Appointments
FRIDAY – November 27
RCAM Pandemic Mode typical weekday:
Well Care and Newborn Care at our Duraleigh office
Sick Care available online via TeleHealth Appointment
In Person Sick Visits at our Brier Creek office
SATURDAY and SUNDAY – November 28 and 29
RCAM Pandemic Mode Weekend hours
Newborn Care at our Duraleigh office
Sick Care available online via TeleHealth Appointment
THURSDAY – Christmas Eve – December 24
Newborn Care at our Duraleigh office
Sick Care available online via TeleHealth Appointment
In Person Sick Visits at our Brier Creek office
FRIDAY – Christmas Day – December 25
BOTH offices closed
On call pediatrician available for urgent questions
SATURDAY and SUNDAY – December 26 and 27
RCAM Pandemic Mode Winter Weekend hours
Newborn Care at our Duraleigh office
Sick Care available online via TeleHealth Appointment
In Person Sick Care available by appointment only on Saturday from 10am-noon at our Brier Creek office
MONDAY – December 28
Limited Well Care and Newborn Care at our Duraleigh office
Sick Care available online via TeleHealth Appointment
In Person Sick Visits at our Brier Creek office
THURSDAY – New Year’s Eve – December 31
RCAM Pandemic Mode typical weekday:
Well Care and Newborn Care at our Duraleigh office
Sick Care available online via TeleHealth Appointment
In Person Sick Visits at our Brier Creek office
FRIDAY – New Year’s Day – January 1
BOTH offices closed for routine business
Newborn clinic will be offered at our Duraleigh office
On Call Pediatrician available for TeleHealth Appointments
SATURDAY and SUNDAY – January 2 and 3, 2021
RCAM Pandemic Mode Winter Weekend hours
Newborn Care at our Duraleigh office
Sick Care available online via TeleHealth Appointment
In Person Sick Care available by appointment only on Saturday from 10am-noon at our Brier Creek office
October 14, 2020 – Planning to get your child’s flu vaccine completed for this winter’s flu season?
October is a great time to get that done.
Somewhat Breaking News: we have just ADDED MORE RCAM Drive Thru Flu Vaccine Clinics.
Notes about the Outdoor, Drive Thru Flu Vaccine Clinic:
First, let’s be clear: the flu vaccine is the best known thing to prevent flu illness. This year is as good a year as any to try to control what you can control.
The drive thru vaccine clinic has been very popular because it provides limited exposure and lots of time efficiency
September 28, 2020 – If anyone ever tells you that moving a vaccine clinic outdoors is no big deal, remember these words:
RCAM moved its flu vaccine clinic outdoors this week, and it was a big deal.
Since March, our experience with the coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic made clear the need to decrease everyone’s risk – risks to our patients as well as to our staff.
With that goal in mind, we made plans to safely dispense something else that decreases our collective health risk: the flu (influenza) vaccine.
After months of planning, this week saw the very first RCAM Flu Vaccine Drive Thru.
Tireless work from some of our best made this possible. Kudos to Office Manager Brian, Administrative Office Manager Theresa, Head Nurse Amanda, nurses Kathy and Megan, and Dr. Meares.
Some Pictures (and One Video):
↓ This past Saturday was like driving South on Six Forks Road with three lanes going strong
:
↓ Saturday’s three lane clinic crew was all business
↓ Sunday and the one lane setup (Drive thru rule: you can never have too many traffic cones)
↓ Sunday’s crew wanted to prove to Dr. Meares that they could get it all on one cart (Krispy Kreme donuts – sadly – are not an official Flu Vaccine Drive Thru item and therefore were not required to fit on the cart)
↓ A word from our sponsor… (made possible by Emily and an anonymous sidewalk chalk novice)
September 18, 2020 – There have been so many changes this past year – something should remain the same. Back for its annual appearance to announce the beginning of Flu Vaccination season, this image of a box of flu vaccine from 2015 (one of those years when we never realized just how good we had it).
Unofficial RCAM press release:
“Once again, RCAM is here to provide your child’s flu vaccine. New this year: Drive Thru Flu Vaccination Clinics! Due to the COVID pandemic, many of our flu vaccine clinics will be outside. Thanks to our special nurses and front office workers for helping us pull this off! There will still be some indoor clinics, so that will remain an option – particularly for egg-allergic patients. If your child needs a flu shot, please give us a call.”
Some Important Details
Flu Vaccine will be given by appointment only (no ‘walk ins’ and no ‘tag alongs’ – everyone getting a Flu Vaccine must have an appointment)
Insurance information will be collected over the phone when appointment is being scheduled
If your child is sick, we will reschedule their appointment for when they are feeling better
Everyone over 3 years old is expected to wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose at all times while interacting with our nurses and office staff
New this Year: Outdoor Drive Thru
Coronavirus ruins everything – except it may have just taken Flu Vaccine clinic to the next level
Drive Thru Flu Vaccine clinic is just what it sounds like: after making your appointment, pull up to our outdoor clinic, get your flu vaccine, and drive off without ever taking off your seat belt
Offered at both our Brier Creek office (weekdays generally) and Duraleigh office (weekends)
An Old Classic: Indoor Flu Vaccine Clinic
We continue to offer some indoor flu vaccine clinics
Like most things we now do, these appointments have been modified to limit your exposures
Still No Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine
I know some of you are going to be asked this question so I’ll answer it now: we will not be offering the Flumist nasal spray flu vaccine (and I am not sure of anyone offering it in our area)
Very Important: Help Us Safely Administer the Flu Vaccine
Be careful with your car in the drive thru clinic – pay attention to signs and to others around you
Remain in your car; children should remain in their car seat unless instructed otherwise by one our nurses
Dress your children to get the vaccine: that means loose fitting, short pants for children under 12 years or those who prefer to get a shot in their thigh and loose fitting, short sleeved shirts for those 12 and up
Also safe is controlling the things we can control: get your child their flu shot, wear a mask, wash your hands, and practice safe physical distancing
September 4, 2020 – Important office holiday schedule alert:
Labor Day is this Monday, September 7, 2020, and it is an official RCAM office holiday.
Our office will be officially closed this Monday, September 7, 2020 in observance of the Labor Day holiday
Like everyday, one of our pediatricians will be on call to help with your child’s urgent health needs
There will be a morning clinic to follow-up with some of our well infants born over this past week
On holidays and weekends – due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic – sick patients may be scheduled to see our on call Pediatrician for a TeleHealth visit; we will not be able to see sick patients in person
September 3, 2020 – You are beginning to see Flu (Influenza) vaccine being offered in our community in anticipation the 2020-2021 Flu season.
When is the best time to get Flu Vaccine?
My general advice about Flu vaccine is to get it as soon as and wherever you can – whether it is from our office, your local pharmacy, your workplace, etc.
However, in a year like this year when we are not expecting a shortage (that couldn’t happen in 2020, right?), it is probably best to wait until mid-September or October to get it so that you are most likely to still have coverage during the most active time of Flu season.
Flu vaccine lasts about 6 months and Flu illness is typically most active in January, February, and March.
June 18, 2020 – Our office mourns with our community.
The owners, the pediatricians, the nurses, and the administrative staff of Raleigh Children & Adolescents Medicine – our entire RCAM-ily – we all mourn.
We grieve the murder of George Floyd and too many other black men and women whose lives have senselessly been taken. We are listening to the voices within our community and to those across the nation who are protesting racial injustice.
We have devoted our careers to caring for children. This is what we believe:
Every child deserves to feel safe
Every child deserves the chance to thrive and live their best life
Every child deserves to be treated fairly and with dignity
We condemn systemic racism and discrimination in all forms. Racial discrimination casts a lifelong shadow that undermines the health and well-being of our children and prevents us from realizing the full promise of our community.
We stand together with our community against racism, fear, and social injustice. We want to stand up for one another to end discrimination. We want to move toward one another to find our common humanity and bring healing. We uphold human dignity for all our families.
How do we talk to our children about race and racism? Here are a few ideas to start the conversation:
June 9, 2020 – You may now call and schedule your child’s well visit – previous restrictions on which well visits we can schedule have been removed.
Let’s review where things are now with RCAM Pandemic Mode:
UPDATE: SCHEDULING A VISIT
All well visits are scheduled to be seen at our Duraleigh office
RECENT CHANGE: Now scheduling well visits for children of any age
Medication follow-up visits are scheduled for out Duraleigh office
RECENT CHANGE: We are moving these from TeleHealh visits back to in-office visits
Examples of this type of visit: ADHD follow-up, Asthma follow-up, follow-up of any condition where our pediatricians are prescribing ongoing medication
Any illness – any symptoms that need evaluation: there are 2 ways to initiate an evaluation
Option 1: call and speak to one of our nurses
Option 2: call and schedule a TeleHealth evaluation with one of our Pediatricians via a video link
If further evaluation is needed following one of the above options, the nurse or pediatrician may recommend an in-person visit at the Brier Creek office
In person inside the Brier Creek office (illness without typical symptoms of COVID-19)
In person outside the Brier Creek office in the Curbside Clinic (typically if symptoms include fever, cough, or shortness of breath)
UPDATE: FOR YOUR SAFETY, THE SAFETY OF OUR STAFF, AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS
Wear a Mask: everyone coming inside our office over the age of two years is expected to wear a mask
We know there are some situations where wearing a mask is impossible – we understand and that’s okay
Sick individuals may not accompany a visit (no sick siblings; no sick parents; everyone in your party needs to be well)
When possible, only one parent accompany the child being seen
To limit your time / exposure while in our office, call from the parking lot when you arrive – when your room is ready, we will call you to come into the office
