Pediatric Urgent Care Case Study

With the onset of cold and flu season comes fevers, coughs, sore throats, upset stomachs and the list goes on. Most concerning is when ailments occur at night or on the weekend and fall outside of normal physician office hours. How can you know what warrants a trip to a pediatric urgent care, an Emergency Room or what can possibly wait until Monday when your physician's office resumes regular office hours?

There are many gray areas that require the discretion or gut feeling of the parent, but some situations warrant a trip to an Urgent Care that specializes in Pediatrics or even a trip to the Emergency Room.

Whare are definite signs that warrant a trip to the Emergency Room?

If you have an infant that is under two months old and they present with a fever, they should be taken to an Emergency Room for evaluation as soon as possible. Whereas, a toddler or small child with …show more content…
Any sign of seizure warrants a trip to an Emergency Room and not an Urgent Care.
When might a trip to a pediatric urgent care be a good choice?

If your child has a fever along with cold symptoms, it may warrant a trip to the urgent care if it will be a day or two before you can see your primary care doctor.
Sore throat: If you child is suffering from a sore throat with or without white patches, a Pediatric Urgent Care can diagnosis a strep infection and give your child a headstart on antibiotic treatment.
Pink Eye: If you suspect your child may have pink eye, a Pediatric Urgent Care would be a good choice for diagnosis and treatment.
Acute ear pain: This may indicate an ear infection and can be evaluated at a Pediatric Urgent Care
Severe allergies: Allergy symptoms can cause breathing issues or severe wheezing or coughing and can be evaluated and treated at a Pediatric Urgent