Posts Tagged "Pediatrics"

14Nov2022

People naturally consider rushing to the emergency room of a hospital when a child appears to be experiencing a medical emergency. When it comes to saving many lives, emergency room staff who provide medical and surgical care to patients in need of immediate attention have probably had the most influence.  However, nobody can dispute that going to the emergency room is an unpleasant experience, especially for kids, even if we have a lot to be grateful for from the staff there.

Do I Need to Take My Child to the ER?

Although it is something that no parent ever wants to witness in their child, illnesses are a very real potential for any family. When your child gets sick or hurt on a regular basis, you take them to the pediatrician’s office. However, what happens if they get sick or hurt after doctor’s hours and you don’t know if it is life-threatening? It would be impossible to schedule a pediatrics visit in this situation, wouldn’t it?

The emergency room might be an option if your pediatrician’s office is closed, but you might want to think hard before sending your child there. Emergency rooms aren’t the best places to make kids feel safe and comfortable because they are hectic, noisy, and chaotic in contrast to the welcoming environment of pediatricians’ offices.  You could subject your child to unpleasant situations that could leave them traumatized, because emergency rooms deal with a wide spectrum of disorders and illnesses. If it’s not absolutely necessary to go the ER, it might be a good idea to not 

What Other Options are Available?

Thankfully, you don’t have to go to the emergency room right away.  You can take your child to pediatric urgent care, where specialized professionals can treat children particularly, rather than going to a hospital’s emergency room.

Acute examination, management, and treatment of children with mild to moderate diseases or injuries are the emphasis of urgent care for children as opposed to emergency care, which concentrates on patients with significant illnesses or injuries.

For the treatment of the following disorders and more, pediatric urgent care is the ideal alternative to emergency rooms:

  • Gastrointestinal llergies
  • Red eye
  • Bites, rashes, and ear infections
  • Fever
  • Throat infection
  • Cuts

The Benefits Pediatric Urgent Care

Children’s urgent care is a useful resource when it comes to kids with mild illnesses. Facilities for pediatric urgent care offer advantages that emergency rooms do not.

Here are several reasons for taking your youngster to a kids urgent care facility:

Child-Friendly Environment

Pediatric urgent care facilities provide a more welcoming ambiance by including bright wall art, books, and toys, just like your child’s pediatrician’s office. Your youngster will feel more relaxed and less anxious thanks to the friendly atmosphere and the food, stickers, and awards the doctor will hand out.

Specialists for Children

Although emergency room doctors are trained and certified medical experts, there aren’t many of them who specialize in treating children with mild to moderate ailments. Pediatric urgent care centers, in contrast to emergency rooms, employ pediatric specialists, so you can rest easy knowing your child is in capable hands.

Faster Medical Care

You won’t have to wait too long for your child to be seen, unlike in regular emergency departments. Since many pediatric urgent care centers work on a first-come, first-served schedule, you’ll know when your child will be seen by a doctor.

Conclusion

For minor ailments, pediatric urgent care can be a useful substitute for emergency rooms. So, think about your options the next time your child is ill or hurt. To be sure that your child will receive the greatest medical care, visit a respected pediatric urgent care facility.

15Jul2022

There are many pediatric offices that allow you to schedule a tour in advance. This way, you can determine if this is the right office for your child. If you are unsure of this step, here are several benefits of touring the office before scheduling your child’s pediatrician appointment.

Check Out The Distance

If you found information on the office through word of mouth or an online search, scheduling a tour gives you the chance to see how far it is from your home. You may need an office that is less than 30 minutes away, or maybe you want to see what traffic is like on the way to and from the office.

Get A Glimpse Of The Office

Scheduling a tour gives you the chance to check out the office in advance. You want to ensure it is a clean, healthy place for your child. It is also not uncommon to want an inviting atmosphere, as opposed to an office that causes your child to feel uncomfortable. In addition, you want to ensure your child is not going to have any sensory issues at this office.

Opportunity To Meet The Staff

A tour also gives you the opportunity to meet everyone on the staff. You can ensure the staff, nurses, and pediatricians are friendly, patient, and reliable. Of course, you can also watch your child interact with their potential pediatrician. Some patients and doctors are not a good match, so you want to keep an eye on their interaction before scheduling an appointment.

Address Questions and Concerns

This is also a great time to address any questions or concerns regarding your child’s possible appointment. For example, do they know how to calm an anxious child? How do they approach scary procedures? It is important to let your child address their questions and concerns as well. Your child is the one who is going through the appointment, so you want to allow them to talk to their pediatrician as needed.

Ease Your Child’s Mind

Visiting the office and meeting the staff in advance can ease your child’s mind. After all, they may be nervous about visiting a new pediatrician. Visiting the office can ease your mind as well, especially if you are worried about taking your child to a new office. A tour gives you and your child an idea of what to expect when it is time for their appointment.

If you are looking for a trustworthy pediatrician for your child, check out Kids 1st Pediatrics. You can find more information on this office by visiting kids1stpediatrics.net.

11Jun2022

It is not always easy to get your children out the door for a doctor’s appointment. If you have several children, you may find they are distracted by toys, games, or bickering. Luckily, a little organization can go a long way in getting everyone on the same page. Use the following tips to get your children out the door in time for their doctor’s appointments. 

Create A Morning Plan

Creating a plan for the morning before the appointment can make a difference in running late and having several minutes to spare. Your plan may include getting the kids dressed and packing a bag of essentials. It is important to let your children know of the plan in advance. For example, let them know you are planning to leave the house by 9:30 a.m., no exceptions.

Prepare The Night Before

You can save time by preparing the night before their appointment. Lay their clothes out and pack a bag of essentials in advance. If you are allowing your child to bring a comfort item, remind them to choose their item before bedtime. You may want to pack their comfort item right away unless it is an item they sleep with at night.

Check-In For Appointments Online

There are many practices that allow you to check-in online as early as the night before the appointment. You can usually check in through the patient portal, application, or link sent via text. When you check in online in advance, you have more time to get them ready for their appointment.

Focus On Getting Ready

It is easy for children and adults to become distracted by the television, social media, or last-minute chores. However, you need to focus on getting everyone ready for their appointment. This means shutting off the television, putting your phone in your pocket, and saving the chores for later.

Leave A Few Minutes Early

If your children are ready to head out the door five minutes before the time you gave them, consider leaving a few minutes early. This way, you have more time to get them in the car, fill your car with gas if needed, and avoid getting stuck in traffic.

Heading out the door by a certain time can be a challenge for any family. If you create a plan, prepare in advance and focus on getting ready, you can get your children out the door in time for their doctor’s appointment.

When you are ready to schedule an appointment with a friendly pediatrician, consider Kids 1st Pediatrics. You can learn more about this practice by checking out kids1stpediatrics.net.

4Jun2022

It is not uncommon for children to feel scared or anxious before their doctor’s appointment. The fear of shots, a new pediatrician, or the unknown is a lot for a child.

You may be looking for a way to prepare your child for the appointment, but you want to ensure you do not make them feel worse. The following guide features tips on what to do and what not to do when preparing your child for the pediatrician.

What To Do When Preparing Your Child For The Pediatrician

The following tips can help you prepare your child for the pediatrician without escalating the situation.

Consider The Timing

Scheduling their appointment at the wrong time is a recipe for disaster, even if they are not afraid of the pediatrician. You should never schedule their appointment during mealtime or nap time, or you may wind up with a cranky, fussy child.

Talk To Your Child

Once you schedule the appointment, talk to your child about it to address any questions or concerns. Your child needs comfort and reassurance about the appointment, but they also need to know their feelings are valid.

Use Simple Words

Use simple words when discussing the appointment with your child. Using the wrong words or phrases may increase their anxiety. For example, let them know the pediatrician is going to see how much they have grown.

What Not To Do When Preparing Your Child For The Pediatrician

There are certain things you should not do when preparing your child for the pediatrician. The following actions can make the situation worse for you and your child.

Dismiss Their Feelings

You should never dismiss your child’s feelings when talking to them about the appointment. Listen to what your child has to say, and let them know you will be by their side the whole time.

Use Scary Words

Using scary words is a sure way to make your child feel scared or anxious about the appointment. Avoid any words or phrases related to the equipment or procedure, especially shots.

Lie About The Appointment

Do not surprise your child with the appointment at the last minute, and do not lie about where you are going on the day of the appointment. You also want to avoid lying about whether your child needs a shot.

If you are looking for a caring, professional pediatrician for your child, look no further than Kids 1st Pediatrics. Schedule an appointment for your child by visiting kids1stpediatrics.net.

10May2022

It is normal to feel nervous about your baby’s first appointment with the pediatrician. You just want to ensure your baby is safe during the visit. Luckily, learning what to expect can help you get through the appointment without feeling too nervous. Here is an idea of what to expect from your baby’s first pediatrician visit.

Fill Out The Paperwork

Once you check-in for the appointment, you are given paperwork to fill out while you are in the waiting room. The paperwork includes information on your baby, your medical history, and your partner’s medical history. Luckily, there are some clinics that allow you to do a virtual check-in and paperwork before the appointment. Taking care of the check-in and paperwork online can cut down on your wait time.

Meeting Their Nurse

When it is your baby’s turn to see the pediatrician, a nurse comes out to greet you and escort you to the back. Your nurse records your baby’s height, width, weight, and head circumference. They also check your baby’s temperature and vital signs. Finally, your nurse may ask questions to ensure you are ready for the appointment. After this portion of the visit, you can wait in the exam room for your pediatrician.

Examination By The Pediatrician

Your pediatrician will knock and greet you as they walk into the exam room. The examination involves gently bending and prodding your baby to ensure there are not any developmental issues. They also check your baby from head to toe to ensure they are doing well. The examination also includes checking their pulse and reflexes.

Discussion About Your Baby

Your pediatrician asks questions and provides information about your baby’s health before, during, and after the examination. The questions may include their feeding pattern, digestive system, and sleep pattern. Your baby may receive a hepatitis B vaccine, but you do not have to worry about most vaccines until they are two months old. You also have the opportunity to address questions or concerns about your baby’s health.

Schedule The Next Appointment

Once the appointment is over, you can schedule the one-month appointment at the front desk. You have gotten through your baby’s first appointment, and now you have an idea of what to expect at their one-month appointment. Remember, the first few months of your baby’s life include several check-ups to ensure they are developing well.

When you need a patient, friendly pediatrician for your baby, consider Kids 1st Pediatrics. Learn more about this pediatric clinic by visiting kids1stpediatrics.net.