Keeping our patients, visitors and staff safe is our top priority. Norton Children’s facilities have changed pediatric surgery policies to incorporate COVID-19 testing of patients before surgeries and invasive procedures.

Prior to Surgery: Pre-admission COVID-19 Testing

Norton Healthcare resumed outpatient surgery and other outpatient invasive procedures on Wednesday, May 6. All patients undergoing surgery or an invasive medical procedure will be tested for COVID-19. Results will be received before the procedure can be performed.

To make testing convenient, Norton Healthcare has opened pre-admission drive-thu testing clinics. Patients and parents/guardians will be directed to a testing site.

• The child must complete a COVID-19 test before their scheduled surgery.
• Results of the COVID-19 test must be received by the Norton Children’s facility at least 24 hours before surgery. If not, surgery will be moved to a later time and/or date.
• The child must quarantine for 96 hours before surgery.

How to Prepare Your Child for Drive-thru COVID-19 Testing

The child will stay in the car while a health care provider administers the test. If you don’t have access to a car, talk to the staff directing you to a testing site about public transportation options and testing.

Before going to the testing site, talk to your child to help them understand what they will see and what will happen. Here are some things you can tell your child to help them be ready:

• Doctors and nurses will be wearing gowns, gloves, masks and clear face shields. They are wearing these to keep you and me safe. It’s to help them stay safe, too.
• You will need to sit really still and lean your head back — pretend to be frozen. A doctor or nurse will use what looks like a long Q-tip to rub inside of your nose. They will rub inside your nose for 10 seconds. They will test the Q-tip to see if you might not be feeling well so they can help you.

You may bring the following comfort items to the test:

• An electronic device, such as a tablet or smartphone
• Favorite blanket or stuffed animal
• Favorite book or toy

How to Help Your Child During the COVID-19 Test

If you are able to sit next to your child during the swabbing, it can provide a sense of comfort. If you’re unable to sit next to them, unbuckle yourself and turn around to face your child to distract them and give them encouragement and reassurance. You may want to say, “It’s OK to feel upset about this. We’ll get through this together.”

You also can help by:

• Playing soft, soothing music in the car
• Counting
• Deep breathing
• Giving them a cold drink after the test

After the test, it might be helpful to pull over to a safe place and comfort your child if they are upset.

Visitation Changes at Norton Children’s Facilities

All Norton Healthcare facilities have restricted visitor policies, including Norton Children’s surgery locations:

• Inpatient units: Patients may have up to two parents/guardians with them
• Outpatient facilities, including emergency departments: Patients may have two parents/guardians with them
• Patients who are pending or positive for COVID-19 may have one visitor. The visitor must not have COVID-19.

Screening and Masking Procedures at Facilities

• Patients and parents/guardians must have a mask on when entering a Norton Children’s facility.
• Patients and parents/guardians must complete a daily health screening, including a temperature check, before entering a facility.

Social Distancing at Facilities

In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, public waiting areas and lobbies are closed at our Norton Children’s facilities.

Surgery waiting rooms have been restructured to allow for social distancing among visitors.