It is very difficult to accurately diagnose a problem over the phone. There may be problems where some advice will help, but we will not initiate treatment with prescription medicines. If your question is, essentially, “Should my child be seen by a physician?”, the answer is almost certainly, “Yes”, especially if you feel that the child’s condition will not wait until the office reopens.
If the child’s condition frightens you, call 911. If the child’s condition worries you, then decide whether to make the child a Same Day Appointment at our office, or to take the child to the ER or to an Urgent Care Facility that offer same day visits after the office has closed. If the child’s condition concerns you, then call the office for an appointment.
At every sick and well visit we will help to prepare you for dealing with a sick infant or child. We want you to know what to do if an illness appears…and how to care for the child.
If you have a question that the office staff cannot answer, they will take a message and a physician will call you back by the end of the day. If your child is in day care, try to train the attendant to call you as early as possible so that we can help you with the problem. There is nothing worse than to find out that the child has been sick all day, and by the time you pick up the child from day care, our office has closed.
We are more likely to be available to help you if you are able to call early in the day.
QUESTIONS AFTER HOURS:
A recording will direct you to the answering service. Because most insurance companies require you to talk to their Nurse Triage Service, the answering service will assist you calling them.
Please call our office for advice during regular office hours. Pride yourself in knowing what to do if vomiting, diarrhea, clear runny nose or fever appears during the night. Know the doses of common over the counter medications appropriate for your child’s age and weight.
If in doubt, take the child to an Urgent Care Facility or Emergency Department if your child becomes ill after the office closes.
AN INTERNET RESOURCE FOR SYMPTOM EVALUATION:
This link to "Pediatric Housecalls Online" will assist you in determining a resonable next step in the care of a sick or injured child. The advice discusses five steps of care for each problem ranging from calling 911 to suggestions for home care. Pediatric Housecalls Online.