As the COVID-19 Federal Public Health Emergency ends on 5/11/23, requirements for the use of masks in medical buildings has changed. With these changes, PHCA has updated our mask policy for patients and staff.
In order to keep our patients in common areas safe, and our staff healthy, patients and/or family members over the age of 2 years with any of the following symptoms will be required to wear a mask covering their mouth and nose at all times when in a PHCA office:
Our office staff will be encouraged, but not required to wear masks when working with patients and their families. If you would prefer our staff to mask when working with you or your family, please inform the receptionist on your arrival, and we will be happy to do so.
PHCA is offering the COVID-19 vaccine at ALL of our office locations to eligible patients, patients’ families and friends 6 months and older. The vaccine may be administered at any office visit, and can be safely co-administered with other routine immunizations, including the influenza vaccine. The clinicians at PHCA encourage all eligible patients to receive the vaccine in order get the best protection against COVID-19. Appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine can easily be scheduled through the MyChart Patient Portal.
For additional information regarding the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, we highly recommend the COVID vaccination education page published by Boston Children’s Hospital.
PHCA is now offering on-site rapid testing for COVID-19. The rapid COVID-19 PCR test is currently available only for symptomatic patients who are being evaluated in the office, or have had a virtual visit with a PHCA provider. We continue to offer send out testing for patients without symptoms who require surveillance testing.
Rapid COVID-19 testing is subject to the availability of testing supplies from the manufacturer. Our staff will let you know if this testing is available at the time of your visit.
We are utilizing online Virtual Visits for care for families who cannot come to the office or prefer to be evaluated remotely when this is clinically appropriate.
As noted above, an active MyChart Patient Portal account is required for an online virtual visit. To help facilitate HIPAA compliant communications between PHCA and our patients, we strongly recommend that every family at PHCA have an active MyChart account. For assistance in activating a MyChart Account please call our office at 978-535-1110, option 8.