Telehealth

The best place for a Virtual Visit will be some place private and quiet with good lighting. But, we get it... you're at home, so if we end up seeing other kids or get introduced to your dog, thats ok (and kind of fun for all!)
Have your child as close to the camera as possible (or practical), dressed in easy-to-remove clothing in case the Provider needs to see their skin or assess their breathing rate.
It may be helpful to have a flashlight or smartphone light available to shine in your child’s throat or illuminate their skin.
If possible, please keep other internet usage in the house to a minimum during the appointment. This will allow us to have the best possible video quality for the visit.

Video Visits are considered health care visits and are billed to your insurance just as in-person visits are.
Co-payments, coinsurance and deductible requirements of your insurance plan will apply.
Most insurance plan benefits do include coverage for Video Visits but some may not. Call your insurance company prior to scheduling a telehealth to see if they provide coverage for these telehealth visits.
We can only provide telehealth visits to established patients who have already been seen in our office.
During a telehealth visit, there is the possibility that we may decide that we need to bring your child in for an in-person visit. This may occur either for technical problems (like poor internet connectivity) or because details we discuss indicate a need for types of exams that require a more in-dept physical exam, such as listening to their lungs.

How Do I Take a Temperature?
When Does Your Child Have a Fever?

Fever 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher

Where to Take the Temperature

Rectal temps are the most accurate.
Age birth to 12 months: Use a rectal reading.
Age 1 year to 4 years: Armpit is ok as a screening method. . If the temperature does not make sense, repeat with a rectal temperature.
Age 4 years and older. Usually safe to take the temp orally (by mouth). Armpit and forehead thermometers are also ok.

Rectal Temperature: How to Take

Age: Birth to 4 years old
Have your child lie stomach down on your lap. Another way is on the back with the legs pulled up to the chest.
Put some petroleum jelly on the end of the thermometer and the anus.
Slide the thermometer gently into the anus no more than 1 inch. If your child is less than 6 months old, put it in no more than ½ inch. That means until you can no longer see the silver tip.
Be gentle. There should not be any resistance. If there is, stop.
Hold your child still. Leave a digital thermometer in until it beeps (about 10 seconds).
Your child has a fever if the rectal temp is above 100.4° F (38° C).

Armpit Temperature: How to Take

Age: Any age for screening
Put the tip of the thermometer in an armpit. Make sure the armpit is dry.
Close the armpit by holding the elbow against the chest. Do this until it beeps (about 10 seconds). The tip of the thermometer must stay covered by skin.
Your child has a fever if the armpit temp is above 99.0° F (37.2° C). If you have any doubt, take your child's temp by rectum or forehead.

Oral Temperature: How to Take

Age: 4 years and older
If your child had a cold or hot drink, wait 30 minutes.
Put the thermometer under one side of the tongue towards the back. It's important to put the tip in the right place.
Have your child hold the thermometer with his lips and fingers. Don't use the teeth to keep in place. Keep the lips sealed until it beeps (about 10 seconds).
Your child has a fever if the temp is above 100° F (37.8° C).

Ear Temperature: How to Take

These are not very accurate and frequently give falsely elevated temperatures.
We do not recommend.

Forehead (Temporal Artery) Temperature: How to Take

Age: Above age 1 year.
This thermometer reads the heat waves coming off the temporal artery. This blood vessel runs across the forehead just below the skin.
Place the sensor head at the center of the forehead.
Slowly slide the thermometer across the forehead toward the top of the ear. Keep it in contact with the skin.
Stop when you reach the hairline.
Read your child's temp on the display screen.
Note: some newer forehead thermometers don't need to slide across the forehead. Follow the box directions on how to take the temp.
Used in more doctor's offices than any other thermometer.
Caution: Forehead temperatures must be digital. Forehead strips are not accurate.
How Do I Take a Pulse?
To take your child's pulse, you will need a watch with a minute hand or stopwatch app (easier) with the minutes and seconds displayed. Find a quiet place where your child can sit or lie comfortably.

If your child has just been active (running, jumping, crying, etc.), wait at least 5 minutes to allow the heart time to slow down and return to a normal beat.

To feel a pulse, you press two fingers — your index ("pointer") and middle fingers — onto a major artery in the body. Press gently. Never press with your thumb, as it has a pulse all its own and can throw off a reading. When you've located the pulse, you will feel a throbbing sensation.

There are several areas on the body to read a pulse, but in kids these are generally the easiest places:

On the neck (carotid artery pulse). The carotid artery runs along either side of the throat (windpipe). Run your fingers about halfway down the neck and press gently to the left or right side of the windpipe (carefully avoiding the Adam's apple in teen boys). Press gently. You should feel the pulse. If not, try again or on the other side.
On the wrist (radial pulse). This is the spot where most adults have their pulse taken. It can work well in kids, too. To find the right spot, place a finger at the base of your child's thumb and slide it straight down to the wrist. On the wrist, press gently to feel for the pulse. This works best if your child's hand is lying flat or bent slightly backward.
Once you've located the pulse (feeling a "throbbing" or "beating" sensation on your fingers), begin counting the beats within a 30-second timeframe. After 30 seconds, stop. Take the number of beats and double it.

Many smartphone apps and Apple watches can give pulse readings simply by pressing a finger over the camera lens or watch. For a good reading, your child needs to be very still, so this method works best in older kids who are more cooperative.
How Do I Measure a Respiratory Rate?
Set a timer for 30 seconds and count the number of times your child’s chest rises. Double that number to get his respiratory rate.

If your baby or has any of the following symptoms, it could mean he’s having trouble breathing- please call us or 911 immediately:

Bluish color around the mouth
Pale or gray skin
A grunting sound with each breath out
Nose flaring
Significant wheezing
Upper chest sinks in with each breath
How To Measure Your Child's height
To measure height accurately at home:

Remove the child or teen’s shoes, bulky clothing, and hair ornaments, and unbraid hair that interferes with the measurement.
Take the height measurement on flooring that is not carpeted and against a flat surface such as a wall with no molding.
Have the child or teen stand with feet flat, together, and against the wall. Make sure legs are straight, arms are at sides, and shoulders are level.
Make sure the child or teen is looking straight ahead and that the line of sight is parallel with the floor.
Take the measurement while the child or teen stands with head, shoulders, buttocks, and heels touching the flat surface (wall). (See illustration.) Depending on the overall body shape of the child or teen, all points may not touch the wall.
Use a flat headpiece to form a right angle with the wall and lower the headpiece until it firmly touches the crown of the head.
Make sure the measurer’s eyes are at the same level as the headpiece.
Lightly mark where the bottom of the headpiece meets the wall. Then, use a metal tape to measure from the base on the floor to the marked measurement on the wall to get the height measurement.
Accurately record the height to the nearest 1/8th inch or 0.1 centimeter.
Measuring Child Accurately At Home
Measuring Weight Accurately At Home
Use a digital scale. Avoid using bathroom scales that are spring-loaded. Place the scale on firm flooring (such as tile or wood) rather than carpet.
Have the child or teen remove shoes and heavy clothing, such as sweaters.
Have the child or teen stand with both feet in the center of the scale.
Record the weight to the nearest decimal fraction (for example, 55.5 pounds or 25.1 kilograms).

508-880-7858

Telehealth

Introducing Telehealth Medicine at Pediatric Associates at Northwoods!

Telemedicine is a great option when symptoms or problems arise that aren’t urgent but do require a doctor’s attention. A telemedicine visit is appropriate for many pediatric services, including:

Limits to Telehealth

Things To Make The Visit Go Smoothly:

Things To Know About Telehealth

To schedule a telehealth visit with your provider, speak with our front desk. They may have you speak with one of our triage nurses to see if a telehealth visit is appropriate.

Telehealth FAQs

How Do I Take a Temperature?

How Do I Take a Pulse?

How Do I Measure a Respiratory Rate?

How To Measure Your Child's height

Measuring Weight Accurately At Home