Parents know all too well the feelings of dread and frustration when their children get injured or sick, especially when it occurs after doctors’ normal office hours. To be on the side of caution, parents will often seek out emergency care in such cases – but more often than not, it doesn’t actually warrant a trip to the ER. Pediatric urgent care is usually the better option.
Let’s talk about some of the key things you should know about pediatric urgent care, and where you can go in Garfield and Bergen County for fast and accurate pediatric treatment for your child.
What Is Pediatric Urgent Care?
A pediatric urgent care center is simply urgent care that focuses on diagnosing and treating children. The staff is trained in pediatric medicine, so your child will be well cared for. A pediatric urgent care clinic is open when regular pediatrician offices are closed, such as during the weekends or at night.
Usually, pediatric urgent care clinic staffs see patients up to the age of 21 years old. A child can be brought in for non-emergency medical issues, such as ear infections and minor fractures.
Pediatric urgent care centers are not for treating life-threatening emergencies, such as severe injuries, high fever, or difficulty breathing.
What Is Treated in a Pediatric Urgent Care Center?
It’s crucial to know when a child should go to pediatric urgent care and when to go to the emergency room. Pediatric urgent care can address sicknesses and injuries including:
- Minor accidents and falls
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Sore throat
- Cold and flu
- Earache
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Minor burns and cuts
- Sports injuries
- Rashes
- Mild allergic reactions
- Pink eye
- Infections
- Insect bites/stings and animal bites
As a rule, if your child is not feeling well but is able to walk and talk, then it’s probably not an emergency. Severe symptoms such as fainting, seizures, severe swelling, difficulty breathing, or nonstop bleeding warrant emergency attention – call 911 now.
What Medical Services Do Pediatric Urgent Care Centers Offer?
A pediatric urgent care center usually offers the same types of services as adult urgent care centers do. This includes diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses, performing basic diagnostic tests (such as X-rays), and providing follow-up care. They can prescribe medication, administer stitches, administer vaccinations, place a cast on a minor fracture, and provide IV fluids as needed.
Assessment is critical in all healthcare, but it can be particularly tricky when it comes to children. Kids might find it difficult to describe their symptoms. It’s a parent’s job to recognize when something isn’t right, and it’s the pediatrician’s job to assess the child’s health and to provide treatment if appropriate.
Pediatric Urgent Care in Garfield, New Jersey
Here at My Doc Urgent Care, our experienced healthcare providers offer compassionate care to your entire family, including your children. With our friendly staff and comfortable atmosphere, we are dedicated to bringing smiles and quality care to our patients at all times.
We care about you, and we’re here to help. You can visit us anytime during our regular clinic hours. No appointment is necessary. If you have any questions, or to let us know you’re on the way, call My Doc Urgent Care today at (862) 295-3501. We look forward to serving you!
