Pediatric Neurosurgery @
McMaster Children’s Hospital
In order to facilitate moving your child’s upcoming clinic visit to a virtual means, please reach out to us via email using this link or QR code and fill in the required information
Here you can find information regarding the current steps we are taking to decrease personal contact and hospital visits during the COVID-19 pandemic and our temporary contact information while we move as much as possible to virtual care.
You may be asked to provide your child’s head circumference for your visit. If you have not been instructed previously on how to best do this, please read the information and watch the video here for proper technique.
Information Regarding COVID-19 Response & Virtual Visit Disclaimers
COVID-19 is placing stress on Canada’s public health system. Our clinic is starting to offer virtual care to make sure that we can continue to care for our patients safely and effectively. This means that we will be using video and audio technologies for some patient visits rather than asking all patients to come into our office. Some of these technologies are provided by the Province. Others have been provided by vendors like Google, or Apple to help make discussions with your care provider as easy as possible during these difficult times. Some health concerns can be addressed with virtual care alone, but in some cases your doctor may ask you to visit a hospital or other health care facility if necessary, for a physical examination.
We do our best to make sure that any information you give to us during virtual care visits is private and secure, but no video or audio tools are ever completely secure. There is an increased security risk that your health information may be intercepted or disclosed to third parties when using video or audio communications tools. To help us keep your information safe and secure, you can:
- Understand that emails, calls, or texts you receive are not secure in the same way as a private appointment in an exam room.
- Use a private computer/device (i.e., not an employer’s or third party’s computer/device), secure accounts, and a secure internet connection. For example, using a personal and encrypted email account is more secure than an unencrypted email account, and your access to the Internet on your home network will generally be more secure than an open guest WiFi connection.
You should also understand that electronic communication is not a substitute for in-person communication or clinical examinations, where appropriate, or for attending the Emergency Department when needed (including for any urgent care that may be required).
If you are concerned about using video or audio tools for virtual care, you can ask our office to arrange for you to visit a different healthcare provider or other health care center where you can be seen in person. However, please note that visiting a health care provider in person comes with a higher risk of coming into contact with COVID-19 and the possibility of spreading the virus.
By providing your information, you agree to let us collect, use, or disclose your personal health information through video or audio communications (while following applicable privacy laws) in order to provide you with care. In particular, the following means of electronic communication may be used: email, phone, videoconferencing (including Skype, FaceTime, OTN), text messaging or other electronic instant messaging.
Patients & Families
We are moving as much care as possible to tele-medicine, including both new consults and routine follow-up visits. You may receive a phone call regarding moving your clinic appointment to a virtual method.
Once you provide us with an email address, we will send an appointment link that you can use to connect with us using OTN (Ontario Telemedicine Network). Simply click on the link sent to your email at your scheduled time to connect.
When joining a virtual visit using a computer, no additional software is usually needed. To join us on OTN using a mobile device, you will need to install Pexip Infinity Connect (Android / iOS).
PLEASE SEE THESE SETUP INSTRUCTIONS IF YOU ARE CONNECTING USING A SMARTPHONE
Should there be technical difficulties while trying to connect during your scheduled visit, please contact us via phone at 289-426-3121 and select option 3.
Android
Get Pexip Infinity Connect for your Android mobile device
Apple
Get Pexip Infinity Connect for your Apple mobile device
Healthcare Providers
We are continuing to triage referrals for their urgency.
Please send your referrals to us via fax at 289-799-3924
Urgent referrals will still be seen in an appropriate time frame and the need for face-to-face visits will be assessed on an individual basis.
Please note that non-urgent referrals may be delayed until the pandemic situation has stabilized or been resolved. We appreciate your patience.
Should you have urgent concerns please contact us via CritiCall Ontario, HHS Paging or our office line at 289-426-3121