Below are some frequently asked questions by participants. If you can’t find an answer to your question here, please don’t hesitate to contact us –we’d be happy to answer it.

GENERAL

Q: I have a new phone number.  What’s the best way to get you my new information?

A: Please call us toll-free at 855-815-WIND (9463) or e-mail us any time your contact information changes. 

Q: I missed my last phone call.  Is it too late to answer your questions? 

A: No.  It’s never too late to complete a telephone assessment.  Please call our toll-free number 855-815-9463 and we will take it from there.

 

NASAL SWAB SPECIMENS

Q: I forgot to put my swab kit in the refrigerator.  Can I still use it?

A: If the kit was unrefrigerated for more than 3 days after you received it, please discard the small vial of pink liquid that is inside the kit.  You should keep the kit and all of its other contents.  Please call us at 855-815-WIND (9463) to arrange for us to send you more vials with liquid.

Q: I took a nasal swab from my child, but wasn’t able to mail it right away.  Do you still want it?

A: The answer to this question depends on whether or not the vial with the swab was kept refrigerated or not.  If you left the swab unrefrigerated for more than 3 days, please let us know so that we can send you a replacement. Otherwise, please go ahead and mail the swab to us.

If you are unable to mail the swab right away, please make sure you put the swab in the refrigerator until you are able to mail it.

Q: The nasal swab media/ liquid seems like it changed colors during the time it was stored in the refrigerator. Can I still use it?

A: There may be some normal changes in the liquid’s color.  If the liquid in the small vial looks very different or appears cloudy, please do not use it. Please call us at 855-815-WIND (9463) to arrange for us to send you more vials with liquid.

Q: My child had some other infection (not bronchiolitis) when I took a healthcare swab.  Should I report this and if so, how?

A: You should take a healthcare swab any time your child has a breathing problem that led you to seek urgent care at a doctor’s office, clinic, emergency department, or hospital.  The infection that led to the urgent care visit does not have to be bronchiolitis.  It can be for any illness that causes your child to have a breathing problem.

You should complete a Healthcare Swab Form any time you take a healthcare swab.  The questions on the form will provide us with all the information we need about that specific breathing problem episode

Q: It’s time for me to take the seasonal swab, but my child has been feeling unwell. Should I still take the swab?

A: If your child does not start to feel better after a few days, nor do you anticipate a period of wellness for your child this season, please take a swab anyway and mail it to us. Just be sure to indicate on the included swab form any symptoms that your child may have. If, after you’ve already taken your swab, your child starts to feel better during the season, please let us know and we’ll send you another swab to re-take.

Q: I don’t have any more nasal swab kits.  How do I get more?

A: We will do our best to make sure you always have at least one nasal swab kit available. If you run out, however, please contact us immediately at 855-815-WIND (9463).

BREATHING PROBLEMS

Q. My child has had one of the symptoms listed on the resources page (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath etc.) continuously since leaving the hospital. Does this count as a breathing problem?

A. A breathing problem is a time when your child’s symptoms become markedly worse, which often leads to a healthcare visit. Persistent wheezing or a frequent cough since leaving the hospital is not by itself a breathing problem. A breathing problem is when you notice a significant increase in the severity or frequency of these symptoms.

For example, your child may have had intermittent wheezing since leaving the hospital, but if there is a day where your child’s wheezing is more severe and causes you to administer your child medication, alter your daily routine, or take him or her to the doctor, that would count as a breathing problem.

Q. If my child’s symptoms got worse as you described, but there was no healthcare visit, would this count as a breathing problem?

A. Yes. When we interview you about your child’s health, we are interested in all episodes of breathing problems, whether or not your child visited a healthcare provider because of them. The only difference is that we ask you to take a healthcare swab for a breathing problem if your child has visited a healthcare provider.

 

PAYMENTS

Q: How much do I receive for the interviews?

A:  You will receive $20 for the first 6-month interview. You will then receive $30 for every 6-month interview after that, then $50 for the final call.

Q: How long will it take after I complete a phone call to receive my payment?

A: It will take about 6 weeks to receive your check in the mail.

Q: It’s been over 6 weeks and I haven’t received my check in the mail.  Whom do I contact?

A: Please call our toll-free number 855-815-WIND (9463) or email us and we will track down the status of your check.  We will also ask you to confirm your mailing address to make sure it was sent to the correct address.