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Flu Vaccine available by online appointment and contactless check-in!

9/17/2020

In lieu of drop in, East Bay Pediatrics has partnered with Solv to bring you a contactless sign up for flu vaccine this year. Please make an appointment for same day or next day flu shots using one of the below choices. Use the tips on our Flu Vaccine page to make the process smoother.

Take a photo of the QR code

Click on this link or paste the link into your browser: https://www.solvhealth.com/book-online/A9mEQA

Patients with upcoming visits can get the flu vaccine during their scheduled visit.

COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus) update from East Bay Pediatrics for September 16, 2020

9/16/2020

It has been 6 months since our counties were ordered to shelter in place due to the CoVid-19 pandemic. Throughout this time, we at East Bay Pediatrics have been consulting local experts on the best ways to
keep you, our staff, and our doctors safe while still attending to the medical needs of each of the
children and young adults under our care.

Here are some of the changes that we have made to the practice for both your safety and your
convenience:

Keeping the office clean
- Each exam room and all doctor supplies are cleaned thoroughly after each patient encounter.
- Waiting areas are cleaned regularly.
- Well visits and sick visits are separated. Only well visits allowed in Orinda. Sick patients are seen in the Berkeley office only after 1 pm (as winter starts, the sick time may start earlier).
- Contactless check-in option is available with online co-pays available through our website.
- Doctors and staff are all masked. Face shields are worn for close contact.
- Sneeze shields separate front desk staff from patients.
Limiting the number of people in the office
- Appointment times are staggered to have fewer people in our office at one time.
- Families with children over 3 months old are asked to have only one parent or caregiver come with the patient.
- As soon as patients arrive, they are taken back to their rooms, removing the need to gather in the waiting room. Patients are not required to wait in your vehicle.
- Doctor schedules and staff schedules are staggered to limit groups of people gathering.
- When possible, doctors and soon, staff can work from home.
Focusing on essential visits
- Well visits are limited to those requiring vaccinations, medication updates, and school forms; and those with ongoing or new medical problems who need to be seen.
- In person sick visits are available weekday afternoons and Saturdays in the Berkeley location.
Virtual options for patients available
- Telemedicine visits, either by video or phone, are offered whenever possible.
- Appointment requests are available by patient portal.
- Contactless check-in option is available with online co-pays available through our website.
Screening everyone who comes in
- Temperatures are taken on all patients, staff and doctors who come into the office.
- Families, staff and doctors are screened for COVID symptoms and exposure.
Coming soon:
- Online scheduling for flu vaccine
- In office COVID testing for low-risk patients

Children's Eyes Need a Break from Screens

8/27/2020

Some information from the American Academy of Pediatrics. With COVID-19 and a shift to online learning by many schools, children are spending even more time looking at screens. Screen time limits are also being relaxed as many families try to help children stay entertained and socialize with friends virtually. All of this makes it especially important to take these steps to help prevent tired, sore eyes in children.

AAP advice for childcare and school

8/27/2020

The American Academy of Pediatrics published these helpful articles on child care school attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Is it safe to send my child to child care during COVID-19?

Returning to school during COVID-19

Poor Air Quality Health Reminders

8/19/2020

The heat and the lightning storm have, unfortunately, sparked another round of fires in the greater Bay Area. We have all noticed a change in air quality. East Bay Pediatrics would like to remind our patients and families about some health considerations with both the fires and COVID-19 pandemic:

Limit outdoor play. Children are at higher risk of lung problems with particles in the air. Avoid exertion outdoors when the air quality is poor.
Keep windows and doors shut when possible. This may be difficult with the heat in our area right now. If you don't have air conditioning, make sure to take other measures to keep cool such as drinking plenty of fluids and using fans.
Wear your mask. We now have two very good reasons to wear a mask. Masks prevent you from breathing as much particulates in the air. They also prevent you from spreading virus particles. Remember that N-95 masks are more helpful to prevent breathing in particles but the vents in some of them allow virus to spread to others.
If you have a respiratory problem such as asthma or wheezing, use your controller medication daily (examples are Qvar, Flovent, Advair, Asmanex). If you start to experience cough or shortness of breath or if you have to be active, use your rescue inhaler up to every 4 hours (examples are Albuterol or Xopenex). Call us if shortness of breath continues.
If you have allergies, start over the counter medications to help with symptoms. Wash your face when you come in from the outdoors.

World Breastfeeding Week

7/31/2020

The first week in August is World Breastfeeding Week #WBW2020. The 2020 theme is "support breastfeeding for a healthier planet," an effort to show the connection between breastfeeding and the environment/climate change. East Bay Pediatrics stands behind our breastfeeding mothers with support at each newborn visit and optional lactation services through our very own lactation nurse, Michaela Anthon, RN IBCLC.

East Bay Pediatrics remains OPEN for scheduled visits in-person, by video, and by phone. Routine well visits and vaccinations are critical for keeping your children healthy.

7/29/2020

Starting in June, well visits will be done in our Orinda office all day and in the Berkeley office in the mornings only. No sick patients will be in the offices during well visit times.

Please CALL to make an appointment (925) 254-9203.

For the upcoming summer months we will focus on scheduling well visits for the following patients:

All children birth to 2 years old
Older children who need routine vaccines: 4-5 year olds, 11-12 year olds, 16 year olds, students heading to college this fall
Other children who need routine well visits for school or camp forms
Other children who have chronic health conditions that need monitoring

Many sick visits or consults can be done by video. In-person sick visits will be done in our Berkeley location only. Due to COVID-19, our hours have changed. We are no longer offering Drop In appointments in either of our offices. Please DO NOT walk-in; please CALL to schedule your appointment - even on Saturdays (for Saturday visits only call (925) 438-1100).

All patients and families should follow social distancing guidelines while in the office. Please bring only one parent or caregiver with patients over 3 months of age. All parents, caregivers and patients over 3 years of age must wear a mask (children under 2 years of age should NOT wear a mask and also, please NO masks with valves).

Understanding Testing Types for Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)

7/8/2020

There are currently two kinds of tests for COVID-19. One test looks directly for the virus RNA, typically via nasal swab, and uses a Polymerase Chain Reaction method (called PCR). The other is a blood test that looks for antibodies to the virus (sometimes called a serology test).

Here is more information about each test to help you understand their differences in purpose and accuracy:

PCR Nasal Swab Test
The nose-swab test answers the question, "Is this person currently infected with COVID-19?" It appears to detect cases about 70% of the time correctly (meaning it may miss up to 30% of cases). It does not seem to create many false-positive results (meaning most people who get a positive result truly have the infection). For some people recovering from COVID-19, viral RNA can be detected after they have recovered and may not be a sign of active infection. Still, for most people, a positive PCR swab test means there is an active infection, even if the person feels well. In other words, virtually everyone who tests positive has an active infection.

Serology Antibody Test
The antibody test tries to answer the question, "Has this person ever had an infection with COVID-19 and are they therefore immune to it?" The accuracy of this test is still not known. There may be some false positives, meaning the test detects antibodies in some people who haven't actually had the infection. The chance of having a false positive is even higher when there are not many true infections in the community. There may also be false negatives, meaning the test does not detect antibodies in some people who did actually have the infection.

We don't know yet if a positive antibody test means the person is immune, and if they are, how long they are immune to getting a new infection with it.

The serology antibody test may one day be a good test when it can accurately determine the quantity of antibodies present and their protective ability against repeat infection. For now, there will be too many false positives to tell what a positive result means. We do not currently recommend getting serology tests for our patients.

Meanwhile, be careful, practice social distancing, and wear a mask when out in public. We will get through this together.

How to get a Covid-19 PCR test:
East Bay Pediatrics refers to the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland drive through site for symptomatic children and children who need to have a procedure in the hospital. If your child has concerning symptoms please contact our office. We will make you an appointment to speak with one of our doctors by video or by phone then determine whether we can send a referral to the Children's testing site.

For patients who do not have symptoms but who desire to be screened for COVID-19, the options for testing are:

Alameda county public health website lists several options for testing centers
Contra Costa county public health lists sites by city

Urgent Cares offer appointments and do testing in the office: One Medical, Carbon Health, STAT Med, and others.

Dr. Lilia R. Oceguera, MD, FAAP to join East Bay Pediatrics on July 1st

6/12/2020

I was born and raised in the East Bay and am excited to have the opportunity to give back to the community.

I completed my undergraduate studies at Stanford University and graduated from the University of California, Davis School of Medicine. I completed my pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital and Research Center, Oakland. With 20 years experience working in primary care, my heart and passion has always been serving children and connecting with families. I am committed to supporting you and helping your children thrive. I have a special interest in integrative medicine and natural healing.

Beyond medicine, who am I? I live in San Leandro with my husband Fernando Padilla. My daughter Alina loves all sports, especially gymnastics. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family, singing, yoga, and meditation.

I look forward to joining East Bay Pediatrics and becoming part of your pediatric journey.

We, the Doctors at East Bay Pediatrics, do not support racism or bigotry in any form

6/5/2020

We are saddened by the recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and numerous others, whose names are known and unknown. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recently recognized racism as a public health crisis. It adversely affects the health and well-being of children, adolescents, emerging adults, and their families. One way to combat this problem is through education. Below are links for talking with your children about racism and police brutality.

https://healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/emotional-wellness/Building-Resilience/Pages/Talking-to-Children-about-Racism.aspx

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/02/parenting/kids-books-racism-protest.html

Courtesy of Moraga School District

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Our Doctors

Richard Oken, MD, FAAP
Myles Abbott, MD, FAAP
Sarah Cahn Handelsman, MD, FAAP
Tracy Evans-Ramsey, MD, FAAP
Juliana Damon, MD, FAAP
Christina S.L. Vo, MD, FAAP
Jennifer Miller, MD, FAAP
Courtney Pickering, MD, FAAP
Lilia R. Oceguera, MD, FAAP
Ted Handler, MD