Referring Provider Newsletter

24-Day Post COVID-19 Policy

Reminder: Arkansas Children's does not see patients until 24 days after a positive COVID-19 test result unless for emergent care. If a patient tests positive for COVID-19, we will reschedule the appointment 24 days from the patient’s positive test, provided both the patient and accompanying caregiver have recovered. If the patient is immunocompromised or was hospitalized due to COVID-19 illness, we will reschedule the appointment 30 days from the patient’s positive test. If a caregiver or other household contact tests positive for COVID-19, we will reschedule the appointment 24 days from the positive test.

View COVID-19 Treatment Pathway

Recognition of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed and tested new materials to support healthcare professionals (HCPs) in diagnosing and treating multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). MIS-C is a rare, but serious complication associated with COVID-19 in children, adolescents, and young adults where multiple organ systems can become inflamed. MIS-C symptoms are likely to appear within 6 weeks after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Common symptoms may include ongoing fever, along with abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, conjunctival injection (manifesting as bloodshot eyes), and dizziness or lightheadedness (accompanying low blood pressure). However, not all children have the same symptoms. CDC is studying the condition and resources are now available on the CDC website.

These include:

• A visual one-pager on How to Recognize MIS-C that can be printed and posted in provider offices or given to parents of children who have had COVID-19;
• A list of What Parents Need to Know about MIS-C for providers to use with parents; and
• For inpatient providers, What Parents Need to Know After Diagnosis of MIS-C

COVID-19 Drive through Testing Expanded at ACH & ACNW 

Arkansas Children’s has contracted with Natural State Labs (NSL) to provide drive-through testing services at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and Arkansas Children’s Northwest in Springdale. NSL provides COVID-19 testing across the state. Through this partnership, we have expanded testing capabilities. Anyone, regardless of age, can get tested for COVID-19. NSL is operating under a standing order, which means we can provide a test at the drive-through regardless of age or indication. Community providers no longer need to enter an order for their patients’ tests unless the test is for surgery clearance. All tests provided at Arkansas Children’s by NSL are PCR tests.

Hours of operation:

Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Testing Location ACH:

Arkansas Children’s Hospital Human Resources parking lot at 1919 W. 12th Street, Little Rock, AR 72202.

Testing Location ACNW:

North gravel parking lot of the hospital. 2601 Gene George Blvd, Springdale, AR 72762

Test Results:

Arkansas Children’s Hospital will only provide test results for pre-surgery patients through Epic and My Chart. All other test results will be sent to patients from NSL. Test results should be available to patients within 24 hours.

 **Surgery patients at ACNW will continue to be tested in-house.

Testing results are provided to patients by NSL through an electronic testing portal. Patients should follow the instructions provided by NSL at the time of testing for obtaining test results.

Natural State Labs Information

More information on COVID-19 exposures is available on Arkansas Children’s website: archildrens.org/covidexposures

Scheduling a COVID-19 Vaccination:

The COVID-19 vaccine is available to all adults and children in Arkansas 12 years of age and older. We encourage all eligible individuals to get the vaccine as soon as possible. To schedule your vaccination appointment, you can find the closest and most convenient location for you at vaccines.gov or by calling the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) vaccine call center at 1-800-985-6030.

At Arkansas Children’s, we are offering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to qualifying individuals between the ages of 12 and 21. Visit archildrens.org/getmyvaccine to schedule an appointment.

Urology Welcomes Dr. Vanessa Ortiz-Hernandez

The Urology Division has expanded availability at Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) Little Rock, Jonesboro, and Arkansas Children's Northwest (ACNW) with the addition of a 4th Urologist, Vanessa Ortiz-Hernandez, MD. Dr. Ortiz received her medical training at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. She completed her urology fellowship at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Memphis and is board-eligible in pediatric urology.

To refer a patient for clinic locations at ACH Little Rock, ACH Jonesboro, or ACNW, send a referral with clinic notes via Healthy Planet Link or OnBase (Fax: 501-978-6440). You can also call for a clinic appointment at 501-364-4000 for ACH or 479-725-6995 for ACNW.

Input Needed for Community Health Needs Assessment

The Arkansas Children's system is conducting its required community health needs assessment. If you are interested in participating in the focus group process, please register at the link below.

Arkansas Children's invites community members to share their opinions on the health needs of children in Arkansas. Results will inform our hospitals' community health needs assessment, to better understand children's health in our state. Focus groups will be held by a Zoom virtual call and last 1 hour. Times are available in the morning and evening in late September and early October.

View Focus Group Recruitment Flyer

Register here

New Providers

• Heather Manbeck-Bullard, MD Gen Peds
• Vanessa Ortiz-Hernandez, MD Urology
• Scott Schoenleber, MD Orthopedics
• Lindsey Wolf, MD Peds General Surgery
• Melissa Wood-Katz, MD Hospital Medicine
• Brad Bridges, MD General Pediatrician ACNW
• Chris Fiedorek, MD Anesthesia ACNW
• Adrienne Koder, MD Orthopedics ACNW
• Emily Ruppert, MD Hospitalist ACNW

Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic Now Open

The Breastfeeding Medicine Clinic is now available at ACH Southwest Little Rock Clinic on Thursday mornings. This is a designated clinic for mothers and babies to receive lactation support. The clinic is open to anyone in Central Arkansas. Mothers can self-refer by calling the appointment center at 501-364-4000 for an appointment. Obstetricians and pediatricians can also refer.

ENT Now at AR Children’s West Little Rock Clinic

Arkansas Children’s ENT is now scheduling new patients at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital West Little Rock Clinic. Clinic will be held three times a month with the option of Fast Pass* for eligible surgical patients. Clinic will include general ENT exams and procedures. Call 501-364-4000 to refer a patient.

West Little Rock Clinic Surgeons:

• Abby Nolder, MD
• Gresham Richter, MD
• Andre Wineland, MD

The ACH West Little Rock Clinic is located at:
16101 Cantrell Road, Suite 114
Little Rock, AR 72223

Referrals can be made by calling 501-364-4000 or through Healthy Planet Link.

*Fast Pass: Pediatric otolaryngology at ACH uses Fast Track scheduling for common pediatric ENT procedures (ear tubes, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, etc.). Fast Track expedites the time from initial referral to surgical intervention by coordinating cases for patients without other diagnoses that would raise the ASA score, i.e., asthma, prematurity, airway abnormalities, etc. Fast Track time has been allotted weekdays in the OR.

ACNW Welcomes Dr. Adrienne Koder, Orthopedic Surgery

ACNW Sports Medicine Coverage Expands to 5 Days/Week

Dr. Lauren Poindexter joins Dr. Ramon Ylanan and Dr. Larry Balle in the ACNW sports medicine clinic. Appointments are now available Monday-Friday for children of all ages who have non-operative sports or activity-related injuries. Click here for Dr. Poindexter's video bio.

View Dr. Poindexter's video bio