Author: Lake Forest Pediatric Associates

Post Date: 1585540800
Status: live

The health, safety, and well-being of our patients and staff are our highest priority. With the growing concern about Coronavirus (COVID-19), we are taking necessary steps to help prevent the spread to our office.

To better protect your health and in response to the rapid and frequently changing information about COVID-19, we need to modify several of our long and established office schedules. We greatly appreciate your trust and support as we adjust to the ever-changing demands this outbreak has caused on health care delivery.

UPDATE: Starting Monday (4/13) and lasting through the end of April, we will be temporarily closing our Vernon Hills office.

Sunday hours remain unchanged: appointments only, NO WALK INS. Lake Bluff only.

Monday through Friday in Lake Bluff and Lindenhurst and Saturday morning in Lake Bluff and Lindenhurst:

• 7:45am: Phones go on Monday-Saturday, 8:00am: Phones go on Sunday
• 9:00am – Noon: Well-child visits and checkups in addition to follow-up visits (non-respiratory sick visits such as ear rechecks, rashes, concussions), and ADHD visits
• Noon – 1:30pm: Closed for lunch
• 1:30pm – 3:45pm: Well-child and checkup visits
• 4:15pm – 5:00pm: Sick visits BY APPOINTMENT ONLY – NO WALK INS 

Since January, we have implemented a phone screening process for all appointments being scheduled. This policy has been modified several times over the last couple of months as the Coronavirus has spread internationally. Our Support Staff and Patient Educators have been diligently using phone triage protocols to identify possible risks and having those parents speak with our physicians for further instruction as indicated.

We are not testing for COVID-19 but are directing people to Urgent Care Facilities and the Health Department for testing. Please call our office if you are concerned about having COVID-19 symptoms and have had contact with a person who has also been potentially exposed or has COVID-19.

Please limit the number of family members coming with you to all appointments. We ask that only one parent/guardian accompany your child if possible. When feasible, please refrain from bringing siblings to the visit.

We discourage individuals considered older adults and those who may have health problems or may be immunocompromised from coming to the office for their safety.

To minimize the number of people in our waiting rooms, we may ask patients who check in at our front desk to give their mobile number and to go back and wait in their vehicles until we can place them into a room.

Please refer to our “Coronavirus and Helpful Resource” post for further information.

Post Date: 1604984400
Status: archived

Happy Thanksgiving! All of us at Lake Forest Pediatric Associates are GRATEFUL for you and the trust you place in us with your precious kids. Enjoy your family time together over the Thanksgiving Holidays.

Please make a note of our special holiday hours this month:

Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, 11-26-20:

Lake Bluff Office – Open only for Urgent Care, Open in AM only, no Walk-In Sick Call, Phones will be Open 8am – 12pm

Lindenhurst Office – Closed

Vernon Hills Office – Closed

Friday, 11-27-20:

Lake Bluff and Lindenhurst Offices will be open normal business hours. Phones will be Open 8:00am – 5:00pm

Vernon Hills Office – Closed

Post Date: 1584417600
Status: live

It is after careful thought and deliberation that we must temporarily cancel our morning walk-in visits. This was an incredibly difficult decision to reach after having successfully provided this service for over 40 years. We do so, however, to protect the health and well-being of your families and our staff.

We have been able to meet your needs with our Sunday/Holiday pre-booked sick appointments and will use this format to continue to treat ill children during the COVID-19 crisis. In follow-up to our previous notice, please find our modified schedule, for all our offices, below:

• 7:45am: Phones go on
• 8am-10:30am: Sick visits BY APPOINTMENT ONLY – NO WALK INS
• 11am – noon: Follow-up visits (non-respiratory sick visits such as ear rechecks, rashes, concussions), well visits, and ADHD visits.
• Noon – 1:30pm: Closed for lunch
• 1:30pm – 3:45pm: Well-child and checkup visits. All patients coming to these visits must be free from fever, runny nose, and coughing. Anyone arriving with those symptoms will be asked to reschedule their appointment.
• 4:15pm – 5pm: Sick visits BY APPOINTMENT ONLY – NO WALK INS

We greatly appreciate your trust and support as we adjust to the ever-changing demands this outbreak has caused on health care delivery.

Post Date: 1539748800
Status: live

Metra announced that it will replace the collapsed retaining wall on the Route 45 bridge near Libertyville starting today. Northbound Route 45 will be closed between Peterson Road and Route 137 for about a month. Read more here.

The closure is expected to cause delays on Northbound Route 45 and adjacent roadways. Click here for an interactive map of road conditions in the area. The recommended detour is to take Northbound Route 83 to Route 120.

Please plan to add some extra travel time if you have an appointment at our Lindenhurst or Vernon Hills offices.

Post Date: 1541131200
Status: live

It’s that time of year! No not THAT time of year – it’s time for Open Enrollment. When you are deciding on your family’s health insurance plan for 2019, think of Lake Forest Pediatric Associates.

For the coming year of 2019, we are pleased to announce that our family-focused pediatric practice will be in-network with UnitedHealthcare, in addition to BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, Cigna, Tricare and many more.

You can find a list of all the health insurance companies for which we are currently in-network in 2019 by clicking here.

Should you have any questions, our Insurance Specialists are available to assist. Feel free to give us a call at 847-295-1220.

Post Date: 1568347200
Status: live

Take action to prevent influenza! The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children ages 6 months and older are vaccinated for influenza for the 2019-2020 season, preferably by the end of October. Influenza vaccines are not licensed for infants younger than six months, and so to protect them it is important that the people around them are vaccinated and that their mothers receive the influenza vaccine during pregnancy. Scientific studies support the benefits of flu vaccination:

The influenza vaccine…
can keep you from getting sick with influenza.
can reduce the risk of influenza-associated hospitalization and death for children and others.
can be life-saving in children. Up to 80% of pediatric deaths from influenza were in children who were not vaccinated.
has been shown to reduce severity of illness in people who catch influenza.
can protect people around you, including people who are more vulnerable, like babies, young children, and those with impaired immune systems
can be given to children with an egg allergy

At Lake Forest Pediatric Associates, we have just opened up four influenza immunization clinics along with nurse appointments. Appointments are available on a daily basis beginning on Monday, September 16, 2019.

It’s not too early for your child’s influenza immunization! Call us at 847-295-1220 now for best availability

Post Date: 1574830800
Status: hidden

Due to a power outage in Lindenhurst, our office is without power.

Please note that we will see patients as long as we are able, but appointments will be limited as it begins to get dark.

Thanks for your understanding.

Post Date: 1575954000
Status: live

Happy Holidays from all of us at Lake Forest Pediatric Associates!

We are open to serve you throughout the holiday season. See below for special office hours, starting on Christmas Eve and call us at 847-295-1220 to make an appointment. Happy Holidays!

Post Date: 1583899200
Status: live

Update 3-11-2020

We’ve been hearing from lots of families about their coronavirus concerns and we are here to help.

If BOTH of the following statements apply to your child, please call the office at 847-295-1220 for direction about COVID-19 testing and treatment:

1. Your child has a fever and/or respiratory symptoms

AND

2. Your child has recently traveled to China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, or Italy
    or
    Your child has been potentially exposed to family/friends that have recently traveled to China, South Korea, Japan, Iran, or Italy   

Coronavirus and Helpful Resources

We at Lake Forest Pediatrics are aware of your concerns regarding the COVID-19 coronavirus and are closely monitoring reports from the CDC, AAP, and WHO regarding the diagnosis and spread of this disease. One reassuring point that’s become apparent as cases of COVID-19 have been studied is that children infected with coronavirus have experienced very mild symptoms. However, if you are concerned that your child may have coronavirus, please call our office rather than bringing your child in for evaluation since we are unable to test for COVID-19 but want to assist you in getting your child the appropriate medical evaluation. Here are two helpful articles that discuss COVID-19 and how to protect you and your family:

https://parentingpediatrician.com/2020/03/03/coronavirus-covid-19-
information/
https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/specialties-conditions/2019-novel-coronavirus-ncov/

PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM CORONAVIRUS

What is Coronavirus?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to
person. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

Prevention
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.
There are simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses,
including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:

• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Travel Warnings
CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China, South Korea, Iran, and Italy. CDC also advises that older adults and those with chronic medical conditions consider postponing nonessential travel to Japan. Travelers should practice usual precautions when traveling to Hong Kong. If you plan to travel internationally, you can enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive important messages, alerts, updates, and travel advisories while you are there.

More Information
Experts have been working hard to understand this new strain of coronavirus. Because new
information is coming out every day, please visit the sites below to stay up to date.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides updates on the virus and safety information for the public and healthcare professionals.
The Illinois Department of Health provides updates on the disease’s spread within the state, as well as frequently asked questions available here.
The US Department of State provides a list of travel advisories for those who are planning to fly outside of the United States.

Post Date: 1574053200
Status: live

Happy Thanksgiving from Lake Forest Pediatric Associates!

Our family-focused pediatric practice is OPEN to serve you during the Thanksgiving holiday. Call 847-295-1220 for an appointment. Please see below for special office hours during the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2019

The Lake Bluff Office only is open for Urgent Care appointments (No Walk-In Care) from 8:00 am to Noon.

The Vernon Hills and Lindenhurst Offices are closed on Thanksgiving Day.

The Lake Bluff and Lindenhurst Offices are open during regular office hours.