Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Cerebral Palsy Patients
Appointments and Rescheduling
During the national health emergency due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), our multidisciplinary cerebral palsy (CP) clinics are provided via telehealth or in a hybrid format with only two providers face-to-face and the other providers participating via video.
This decision coincides with national and state recommendations to ensure social distancing as much as possible, even in medical settings.
If you or your child has an appointment through at least June 2021, your visit may be scheduled to occur via telehealth or as a hybrid visit. If you wish to clarify your appointment type, contact the CP Program1 about your visit.
Although some of the CP team is working remotely, we are still available for your questions or concerns.
Our telephone number for the physician office or to schedule appointments is 513-636-7480. You can also ask questions via MyChart. For help from our service coordinators, you can still call 513-803-GoCP (513-803-4627).
In case you or your child develops signs or symptoms of (COVID-19) and you have an upcoming CP clinic appointment, call our office ahead of time to discuss options for arranging follow-up. Please do not attend your visit if you or your child has active symptoms at that time. If your visit is for an essential procedure (such as baclofen pump refill), call our office to discuss options. If no essential procedure is planned for your visit, options for scheduling include either:
- Rescheduling your in-person visit at a later date when symptoms have resolved and adequate time for quarantine has been completed
- Converting your current follow-up appointment to a telehealth type of visit
For the safety of our patients, families and employees, all patients seen in our clinics are screened for COVID-19 symptoms at the registration desk.
Specific Information for Patients with CP
In general, you or your child’s risk from coronavirus is equal to that of other people. However, we believe that if you or your child has associated significant, chronic conditions that impact your general health, you or your child could belong to a more high-risk group for more severe complications of this viral infection. This would include significant immobility, multiple disabilities, ongoing respiratory conditions, poor nutrition, and complex medical status / medical fragility.
You should continue to take your spasticity medications and other medicines as prescribed. If you need refills and cannot be seen due to pandemic restriction or other policies or preferences, contact the office.
Careful discussion with your physicians about each individual case is the best advice that we can give. Contact your primary care provider if you or your child has symptoms of COVID-19 infection or has been exposed to someone known to have it. Be sure to call ahead before going to any doctor’s offices. Be on the lookout for breathing problems especially and have a thermometer so you can check your child’s temperature.
As always, if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, dial 911. Shortness of breath is an emergency situation. You need to call 911 to get help. Let the responder know that you are concerned about COVID-19 so appropriate precautions can be taken when the EMS comes to help.
You or your child should stay home except for essential activities such as attending school (if your child’s school is open), getting food and medications and health care visits. Try to minimize activities in the community and don’t have unnecessary visitors into your home. Limit socializing and utilize options like video calls to spend time with friends and family. Maintain all the recommended practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and your local health department.
During this time of utmost caution, we recommend mask wearing at all times if you or your child leaves your home. We also support avoiding all indoor activities with people outside your household except for school, work and medical appointments. Some medical appointments are available via telehealth, including therapy with Cincinnati Children's. Feel free to reach out with questions about how best to manage at home. We strongly recommend doing a regular home exercise program and following your providers’ advice on brace wear, use of standers or gait trainers, and activity.
