New Phase Update Effective 03.10.22

NEW PHASE EFFECTIVE Thursday, March 10th, 2022

OFFICE HOURS: Monday thru Friday, 7:45am until 4:15pm

For nearly two years, the ABC Pediatrics’ team has kept you informed of the ever-changing global COVID pandemic. We’ve monitored transmission and case rates for COVID-19 and its variants and made adjustments to our workflow while remaining committed to ensuring our patients received well care, immunizations, medication management, mental health care and allergy immunotherapy. Simultaneously, we invested in In-Office COVID PCR testing capabilities and COVID antibody testing capabilities as well as COVID vaccine administration as soon as the services could be made available to our area. We effectively processed sick patients and provided In-Office COVID related services in isolated areas of our office to mitigate the possibility of spread.

The last two years have presented us with extreme challenges. Every challenge was approached head on, analyzed and managed based on data and common sense. These challenges provided our team with increased knowledge and confidence. To you, our patient family, THANK YOU for trusting us and navigating through each phase of this pandemic cycle with us. Your kindness, support, and ability to conform to our various workflow changes have provided our staff with strength, courage, and reassurance.

With North Carolina’s transmission and positivity rates well under 5%, ABC Pediatrics will eliminate some of the strict protocols we have had in place for nearly two years.

● ALL PATIENTS will once again be welcomed through our front entrance.
● ALL PATIENTS will be processed face to face by our Front Office staff and directed to either the SICK or WELL waiting area.
● NEWBORN INFANTS will be prioritized and processed in a separate triage area and roomed in only designated newborn exam areas.
● Exam rooms will continue to be sanitized after patient visits.

New Phase Update Effective 02-07-22

NEW PHASE EFFECTIVE Monday, February 7th, 2022

OFFICE HOURS: Monday thru Friday, 8:00am until 4:15pm

ABC Pediatrics has evaluated and revised our approach in caring for the health care needs of our patients. We remain committed to ensuring patients receive well care, medication management, mental health care and allergy immunotherapy, while maintaining service for sick patients and testing during this ever-changing COVID pandemic. Our new process will go in effect Monday, February 7th, and is described below. 

Main Entrance

Our MAIN ENTRANCE, waiting areas and main clerical area will be utilized for WELL PATIENTS all day. Our health care team will respond to patients who need care for the following:

  • Well Physicals
  • Immunizations
  • Medication Management
  • Routine follow up care
  • Telehealth
  • Mental Health Services
  • Allergy Services

NO WALK-INS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

 

Second Entrance

NO WALK-INS ACCEPTED. Appointments can be scheduled at 910-892-1333.

Our SECOND ENTRANCE and processing area will be designated for SICK PATIENTS every morning from 7:45am until 11:15am. At the time of scheduling, instructions will be provided for arrival and check-in procedures. Lab results, school and work correspondence will be handled via our secure patient portal. Designated care providers will respond to patients who need care for the following:

● Exposure to Covid 19
● Change in sense of taste or smell
● COVID Testing
● Cold Symptoms
● Fever
● Sore Throat
● Cough
● Vomiting
● Diarrhea
● Shortness of Breath
● ER Follow Up
● Body Aches/Fatigue

New Electronic Health Records System

Hello ABC Family!

Exciting news! We’re currently implementing a new Electronic Health Records system at our office! Behind the scenes work has been underway for months and the transition is coming VERY SOON as we bring state of the art electronic services to our patients and their families!  There are some especially important dates we would like to bring to your attention.

OFFICE SCHEDULE DURING ROLLOUT:

Hello ABC Family!

         Exciting news! We’re currently implementing a new Electronic Health Records system at our office! Behind the scenes work has been underway for months and the transition is coming VERY SOON as we bring state of the art electronic services to our patients and their families!  There are some especially important dates we would like to bring to your attention.

Monday, 05.17.21 through Friday, 05.21.21- STAFF TRAINING

● Our office will be OPEN!    

● Staff training each day from 11am-1pm    

● Appointments for sick and urgent concerns and newborn infant care will be available.

● Appointments for well care and non-urgent care will be limited due to staff training.

● Our staff will remain fully available for phone calls, prescriptions refills, general questions and concerns.

● Our patient portal services, unfortunately, will not be available after 05.20.21. Until we get our new patient portal up and running, please call us (910.892.1333) for your healthcare needs.

 

Monday, 05.24.21 through 05.25.21- SYSTEM CONVERSION WEEK

● Our office will be OPEN!   

● Appointments for sick and urgent concerns and newborn infant care will be available.

● Appointments for well care and non-urgent care will not be scheduled due to system unavailability.

● Our staff will remain fully available for phone calls, prescriptions refills, general questions and concerns.

 

Monday, 05.31.21 & Tuesday, 06.01.21- OFFICE CLOSED

● Our office will be CLOSED for Memorial Day and remaining system conversion and activation work.

 

Wednesday, 06.02.21 through Friday, 06.04.21- GO LIVE

● Our office will be OPEN!  Please bear with our staff as we navigate a totally different work flow in our new system. 

¡Medicaid está cambiando en Carolina del Norte!

¡Medicaid está cambiando en Carolina del Norte!

A partir del 1 de julio de 2021, los servicios de Medicaid estarán disponibles a través de planes de salud prepagados (PHPs). Un PHP es un grupo de médicos, hospitales y otros proveedores que trabajan juntos para proporcionar todo tipo de atención médica. Esto incluye: salud física, salud conductual y medicamentos. A partir del 1 de julio de 2021, CADA receptor de NC Medicaid debe elegir un PHP o uno será elegido para usted por NC Medicaid.  ¡QUEREMOS AYUDARLE A TRAVÉS DE ESTE PROCESO!

TRES PASOS PARA INSCRIBIRSE:

  • Elija un proveedor de atención primaria (PCP) 
  • Su PCP es ABC PEDIATRICS

 

  • Elija un plan de salud
  • ABC PEDIATRICS trabaja con todos los planes de salud disponibles.
  • Adjunta a este aviso hay una lista de sus planes disponibles. La lista le informa sobre los planes de salud y los diversos servicios que ofrecen. Elige el mejor para su familia.
  • Inscríbase de una de estas maneras 
  • Vaya a ncmedicaidplans.gov
  • Utilice la aplicación móvil NC Medicaid Managed Care. Para obtener la aplicación gratuita, busque NC Medicaid Managed Care en Google Play o App Store. 
  • Llame a NC Medicaid al 1-833-870-5500 (TTY: 1-833-870-5588).
  • Envíe por correo el formulario de inscripción utilizando el sobre de devolución que vino en su paquete.  O envíelo por fax al 1-833-898-9655.
  • Elija su plan de salud antes del 14 de mayo de 2021 o se elegirá uno para usted. Es mejor si elige un plan de salud, porque es quien mejor conoce sus necesidades de atención médica.
picture of melinda johnson pointing at medicaid sign

¿Qué pasará después?

Después de seleccionar un PHP, se enviará por correo información y una nueva tarjeta de identificación. La tarjeta de identificación debe utilizarse para los servicios de atención médica a partir del 1 de julio de 2021. Las preguntas pueden ser respondidas por el número de servicios para miembros de su plan de salud en la tarjeta de identificación. 

Si decide más adelante que desea cambiar su plan de salud:

Los planes de salud se pueden cambiar hasta el 30 de septiembre de 2021. Después de eso, a menos que haya una razón especial, los planes de salud no se pueden cambiar hasta la fecha de recertificación de Medicaid. Aquellos que sienten que no deben estar inscritos en un plan de salud porque necesitan ciertos servicios para abordar una discapacidad del desarrollo, salud conductual, lesión cerebral traumática o trastorno por consumo de sustancias, se puede solicitar reconsideración. Esta es una revisión de la decisión. Para solicitar una reconsideración, llame al 1-833-870-5500 (TTY: 1-833-870-5588).

¿Preguntas? Vaya a ncmedicaidplans.gov. También puede utilizar la herramienta "chat" en el sitio web. O llame al 1-833-870-5500 (TTY: 1-833-870-5588), 7 a.m. a 8 p.m., 7 días a la semana. Después del 14 de mayo de 2021, el horario está abierto de 7 a.m. a 5 p.m., de lunes a sábado.

Adjunto es una MUESTRA del paquete de inscripción. Algunas de las áreas se rellenan como un ejemplo para ayudarle a completar su formulario. Llame a un miembro de nuestro PERSONAL DE OFICINA DE NEGOCIOS si necesita ayuda: (910) 892-1333, luego presione 4.

Medicaid is changing in NC!

Medicaid is changing in NC!

Starting July 1, 2021, Medicaid services will be available through Prepaid Health Plans (PHPs). A PHP is a group of doctors, hospitals and other providers that work together to provide all types of health care. This includes – physical health, behavioral health, and medications. Effective July 1, 2021, EVERY NC Medicaid recipient must choose a PHP or one will be chosen for you by NC Medicaid.  WE WANT TO HELP YOU THROUGH THIS PROCESS!

THREE STEPS TO ENROLL:

1-      Choose a primary care provider (PCP)

  • Your PCP is ABC PEDIATRICS 

2-      Choose a health plan

  • ABC PEDIATRICS works with all available health plans.
  • Attached to this notice is a list of your available plans. The list tells you about the health plans and the various services they offer. Choose the best one for your family.

3-      Enroll in one of these ways

  • Go to ncmedicaidplans.gov
  • Use the NC Medicaid Managed Care mobile app. To get the free app, search for NC Medicaid Managed Care on Google Play or the App Store.
  • Call NC Medicaid at 1-833-870-5500 (TTY: 1-833-870-5588).
  • Mail the enrollment form using the return envelope that came in your package.  Or fax it to 1-833-898-                    9655.
  • Choose your health plan by May 14, 2021 or one will be chosen for you. It is better if you choose a health plan, because you know your health care needs best.
picture of melinda johnson pointing at medicaid sign

What happens next?

After a PHP is selected, information and a new ID card will be mailed. The ID card should be used for health care services beginning on July 1, 2021. Questions can be answered by your health plan’s member services number on the ID card.

If you decide later that you want to change your health plan:

Health plans can be changed until September 30, 2021. After that, unless there is a special reason, health plans cannot be changed until the Medicaid recertification date. Those who feel they should not be enrolled in a health plan because they need certain services to address a developmental disability, behavioral health, traumatic brain injury or substance use disorder, reconsideration can be requested. This is a review of the decision. To request a reconsideration, call 1-833-870-5500 (TTY: 1-833-870-5588).

Questions? Go to ncmedicaidplans.gov. You can also use the “chat” tool on the website. Or call 1-833-870-5500 (TTY: 1-833-870-5588), 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week.  After May 14, 2021, hours are open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Attached is a SAMPLE enrollment package. Some of the areas are filled in as an example to help you complete your form.  

Please call a member of our BUSINESS OFFICE STAFF if you need any help:   (910) 892-1333, then press 4.

NEW PHASE Update from ABC Pediatrics

NEW PHASE EFFECTIVE Monday, March 1st 2021

OFFICE HOURS: Monday thru Friday, 8:00am until 4:15pm

As we become more familiar with COVID-19 and the impact on our community, ABC Pediatrics is continuing the evolution of our approach in caring for the health care needs of our patients. We remain committed to ensuring patients receive well care, medication management, mental health care and allergy immunotherapy, while still maintaining service for our sick patients during this ever changing COVID-19 environment. Our process is described below.

ALL persons requesting entrance to our building are being screened by our clinical personnel utilizing COVID-19 CDC guidelines. A front entry screener will ensure the following questions are appropriately answered before a guest may enter the main entrance.  

Exposure to COVID19?

Anyone at home been TESTED for COVID in the past 14 days?

Fever in the last 72 hours?

Cough in the last 72 hours?

Shortness of breath?

Cold Symptoms?

Loss of Taste or Smell?

Sore throat?

Vomiting?

Body aches/fatigue?

Have you been to the ER for any of the above symptoms in the last 10 days?

  • ROUTINE MEDICAL CARE:  Patients who are cleared by the screening process will be directed to the front office for check-in processing. A specified waiting area will be reserved for newborns and infants. However, patients that DO NOT clear the screening process WILL NOT be permitted in the main entrance. Options for care include, changing the appointment to a sick or telehealth visit or rescheduling the appointment. All patients over the age of two will be required to wear a face mask.

  • SICK CARE: Provider/Nurse teams are designated daily for our SICK CLINIC. Call 910-892-1333 for an appointment time. Sick patients are processed through a different building entrance and isolated to a specific area of the building. All patients over the age of two will be required to wear a face mask.

  • TELEPHONIC & VIRTUAL CALLS: Patients needing provider advice and/or medication management but do not pass screening can maintain their child’s healthcare needs by scheduling a telehealth visit when appropriate. Telehealth (video call) appointments can be coordinated with the patient’s primary care provider by calling 910-892-1333. 

  • MENTAL HEALTH CARE: Our mental health department is fully staffed. Counselors are providing face to face sessions or connecting to patients via telehealth (video call). For scheduling, questions or additional information, please call our Mental Health Department directly at 910-892-1333, ext 2277 and speak with Maria or Victoria. 

  • ALLERGY DEPARTMENT:  We will continue to support our patients receiving IN-OFFICE allergy injections on your regularly scheduled visits. For scheduling, questions or additional information, please call our Allergy Department directly at 910-892-1333, ext 2241 and speak with Sandra or Jennifer.  

 

Your patience, support, and continued trust in what we do here at ABC PEDIATRICS are sincerely appreciated. 

ABC’s Rapid Covid-19 Testing is “Real-Time PCR”!

Let's Discuss Covid Testing at ABC Pediatrics..

Some of the more recent discussions regarding COVID-19 are centering around TESTING. Rapid testing. Antigen testing. Antibody testing. Molecular testing. PCR testing.

Has your employer or your child’s school or daycare presented you with questions or guidelines concerning COVID testing that has you scratching your head?

It is our hope that the following will provide you some general knowledge and clarification regarding COVID TESTING as we continue to work together to manage and conquer this ongoing COVID CHAOS!

Let's clarify:

  • Although originally meant to simply indicate that results would be available the same day as the test, RAPID TESTING can have different meanings in today’s discussions. In the past, RAPID TESTING generally referred to “antigen testing”. However, with today’s new technology, RAPID TESTING can also be used to describe MOLECULAR Testing.
  • With “Antigen Testing”, a nasal sample is used to determine if specific COVID 19 PROTEINS found on the virus’ surface are present in your nasal secretions. If this test is POSITIVE, it is likely that you currently carry the virus. However, if this test is NEGATIVE, most experts recommend that this test is “FOLLOWED UP or CONFIRMED BY A MOLECULAR TEST”.
  • “MOLECULAR TESTING” is a more definitive test which looks for specific parts of the viral genome from a swab of your nasal secretions. MOLECULAR TESTNG is readily available in two forms: NAAT and RT-PCR. NAAT stands for Nucleic Acid Amplification Technique and is the methodology employed in the Abbott testing platform. This test utilizes a nasal swab and takes approximately 15 minutes to get a result. RT-PCR stands for Real Time - Polymerase Chain Reaction and is the methodology employed in the Cepheid testing platform. This test utilizes a naso-pharyngeal swab and takes approximately 45 minutes to get a result. NAAT testing recommends a RT-PCR test to CONFIRM any negative result whereas RT-PCR is the “Gold Standard” test for COVID and does NOT require any confirmatory testing. In the early days of COVID testing, it would take several days to get results back from MOLECULAR TESTING. However, advances in technology have resulted in “RAPID MOLECULAR TESTING” that can provide results in as little as 15 minutes for NAAT testing and 45 minutes for RT-PCR testing. ABC Pediatrics EXCLUSIVELY utilizes RT-PCR testing (The “GOLD STANDARD”) to evaluate, diagnose, and counsel our patients regarding COVID infections, and this testing does NOT require that it be followed up or confirmed by an additional test.(There is a link to the FACT SHEET for the RT-PCR testing that is performed at ABC Pediatrics which gives more in-depth information on this test.)
  • “SEROLOGY TESTING”, also referred to as ANTIBODY TESTING, is a test that utilizes a fingerstick blood sample to look for your body’s response to the COVID virus or the COVID vaccine. If you have been exposed to or diagnosed as having COVID, or received one of the COVID vaccines, your body should respond by making ANTIBODIES to the virus. Antibodies come in two types: IgM or immediate and IgG which is delayed. IgM antibodies usually develop 7 - 21 days after exposure to the COVID virus (or vaccine) and only last a few weeks. IgG antibodies tend to develop after 14 - 28 days and stay around in your body for a lengthy period (months to years) to help protect your body and fight off any future exposures to the COVID virus. At this time, we do NOT know how long these IgG antibodies will be around OR how long they will offer protection in the future. More studies will be performed in the months ahead to give us a clearer picture of these antibodies.ABC Pediatrics is able to perform the test for COVID antibodies in our office lab with results available in 15 - 25 minutes.

At ABC PEDIATRICS, we have the technology, equipment, and the capability to perform RAPID RT-PCR COVID testing, MOLECULAR FLU and RSV testing and COVID ANTIBODY testing on our patients with results available within 15 - 45 minutes of the collection of the nasal sample OR fingerstick blood sample.

Our In-House testing methodologies and results have been verified by the NC Department of Health and Human Services to be acceptable for testing in children who have been or are at risk of  being excluded from school or daycare due to COVID exposure or illness.

If you are concerned that your child may have been exposed or may be infected with the COVID-19 virus (or FLU or RSV) and would like to have a RT-PCR TEST or Antibody test performed, please call our office at 910.892.1333 and schedule an appointment to be evaluated by one of our providers.

View the Covid 19 Fact Sheet.

Click here

Mrs. Gloria Jordan’s Retirement Message

View Mrs. Gloria's letter below

I want to wish EVERYONE at ABC Pediatrics and ALL the patients and families of ABC Pediatrics a wonderful Christmas and holiday season! May your lives be blessed by the wonderful gift of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. This year, 2020, has been a very unusual whirlwind year for everyone, especially for all the dedicated healthcare workers. I am SO SO proud of all of you at ABC and all that you do day in and day out for the patients and families of ABC Pediatrics and for the entire community. The Facebook video portraying a typical day at ABC is amazing and so heartwarming. All of the patients and their families are so blessed to have ABC’s team to care for them. I miss everyone so much and I wish that I could be there working with all of you and helping our patients. When I went out on medical leave back in February I anticipated being back to work in a few months. However, my medical leave of absence has evolved into my official retirement with the COVID Pandemic and everything that is ongoing now. I had not planned to retire now, but God had a different plan for me and His timing is ALWAYS perfect. I am blessed that this retirement chapter of my life is allowing me to “slow down and smell the roses,” as my Daddy always used to say. Waking up every day to enjoy another sunrise, being healthy, spending more time with my amazing family, and making more memories with my precious grandchildren are all extra special bonuses that I can enjoy more now. It has been said that being a Peace Corps volunteer is the “toughest job you will ever love.” I was a Peace Corps volunteer for 3 years in Brazil and yes, it was tough, but yes, I loved it. My experience in the Peace Corps and living in Brazil is what inspired me to become a PA when I returned to the states to live.  I believe that everyone should be privileged to have a job that they really enjoy and not just go to work for an income. I can honestly say that I have LOVED my career as a PA for the past 32 years, the last 22 of which have been at ABC Pediatrics. I have been blessed to work alongside amazing caregivers who are all very dear and precious to me. And when I say caregivers, I mean the Doctors, PAs, NPs, Mental Health, Laboratory, Allergy team, Nurses, Clinical Staff, Administrative, Business Office and Housekeeping Staff, because it takes EVERYONE working together to make up the great ABC Pediatrics Healthcare team. I truly love the people I have been privileged to work with and the many patients that I have treated over the years. Each of you has touched my life in a special way and I am so grateful that God allowed our paths to cross and to have so many wonderful memories which I will cherish always. A very big THANK YOU to everyone at ABC PEDIATRICS and a big THANK YOU to all the patients I have seen over the years, and to their parents who entrusted their children’s care to me.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE AND MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU SAFE AND IN HIS CARE!

Love & prayers to all,

Gloria Jordan, PA-C 

 

ABC’s Rapid Covid-19 Testing is “Molecular”!

Let's Discuss Covid Testing at ABC Pediatrics..

Some of the more recent discussions regarding COVID-19 are centering around TESTING.  Rapid testing. Antigen testing. Molecular testing. PCR testing.

Has your employer or your child’s school or daycare presented you with questions or guidelines concerning COVID testing that has you scratching your head?  It is our hope that the following will provide you some general knowledge and clarification regarding COVID TESTING as we continue to work together to manage and conquer this ongoing COVID CHAOS!

Let's clarify:

  • Although originally meant to simply indicate that results would be available the same day as the test, RAPID TESTING can have different meanings in today’s discussions.  In the past, RAPID TESTING generally referred to “antigen testing”.  However, with today’s new technology, RAPID TESTING can also be used to describe MOLECULAR Testing.
  • With “Antigen Testing”, a nasal sample is used to determine if specific COVID 19 PROTEINS found on the virus’s surface are present in your nasal secretions.  If this test is POSITIVE, it is likely that you currently carry the virus.  However, if this test is NEGATIVE, most experts recommend that this test is “FOLLOWED UP or CONFIRMED BY A MOLECULAR TEST”.
  • “MOLECULAR TESTING”, commonly referred to as “PCR TESTING”, is a more definitive test which looks for specific parts of the viral genome from a swab of your nasal secretions.  In the past, it would take several days to get results back from MOLECULAR TESTING.  However, advances in technology have resulted in “RAPID MOLECULAR TESTING” that can provide results in as little as 15-45 minutes.  RAPID MOLECULAR TESTING can be utilized for COVID, FLU and RSV determinations and does NOT require that it be followed up or confirmed by an additional test.

At ABC PEDIATRICS, we have the technology, equipment, and the capability to perform RAPID COVID, FLU and RSV MOLECULAR testing on our patients with results available within 15 - 45 minutes of the collection of the nasal sample.  Our In-House testing methodologies and results have been verified by the NC Department of Health and Human Services to be acceptable for testing in children who have been or are at risk of  being excluded from school or daycare due to COVID exposure or illness.

If you are concerned that your child may have been exposed or may be infected with the COVID-19 virus (or FLU or RSV) and would like to have a RAPID MOLECULAR TEST performed, please call our office at 910.892.1333 and schedule an appointment to be evaluated by one of our providers.