CORONAVIRUS DRIVE UP TESTING NOW AVAILABLE

Spring Valley Pediatrics introduced drive-up COVID-19 testing to provide patients and household members with a convenient testing option during the coronavirus pandemic. Drive-up appointments were intended primarily for people with mild symptoms or specific testing needs, while children experiencing more serious symptoms were advised to receive an in-office evaluation so a physician could check vital signs and perform a physical exam. Families should contact Spring Valley Pediatrics for current COVID-19 testing options and availability.

The novel coronavirus has changed our lives dramatically in the past two months and is not going away any time soon.  At Spring Valley Pediatrics we continue to update our practice policies based on CDC recommendations and provide patients with a variety of appointment options including in person, telemedicine and drive up.  DC and the surrounding area is still seeing an increase in COVID-19 positive patients but thankfully testing is more readily available with faster results than even a few weeks ago.
 
Starting Monday, May 11th, we will be offering our patients and their household members the option to do drive-up coronavirus testing.  Appointments can be made Monday through Friday afternoon for one of our physicians to come to your car, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, to perform a coronavirus test.  These appointments are for testing only and will not include vital signs or an exam.  If your child is having more severe symptoms, an appointment in our isolation room with one of our physicians is the appropriate way to be tested. That way your child’s vital signs can be checked and a physical exam can be performed.
 
Patients appropriate for drive up testing include those with mild symptoms; a history of asthma, diabetes, or other chronic illness; those with household members who have chronic illnesses, are pregnant, or are over the age of 60; or those who require testing for work or surgery.  Expect a phone call from our office with results.
 
Please call our office to schedule your drive-up coronavirus testing and be sure to continue to check our website and social media for office updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Drive-up testing allows patients to be tested for COVID-19 while remaining in or near their vehicle. In the program described by Spring Valley Pediatrics, a physician came to the vehicle wearing appropriate protective equipment to perform the coronavirus test.

The program was offered to Spring Valley Pediatrics patients and their household members. The article identified people with mild symptoms, certain chronic medical conditions, higher-risk household members, or testing requirements for work or surgery as appropriate candidates.

The article indicated that children with mild symptoms could be appropriate for drive-up testing. Children experiencing more severe symptoms were advised to have an in-person evaluation where a physician could check vital signs and perform a physical exam.

No. The drive-up appointments described in the article were for testing only and did not include vital signs or a physical examination.

The article recommended an in-office isolation-room appointment for children with more severe symptoms. This allowed a physician to check the child’s vital signs and perform an appropriate physical examination in addition to testing.

We’re Here to Help

If you have questions about your child’s health, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call Spring Valley Pediatrics at 202-966-5000 or click here to request an appointment — we’re available every day, including weekends and holidays.

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