Urgent Care Just for Kids

0
This post is sponsored by MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center

pediatric urgent care

A pediatric urgent care clinic is one in which the staff and providers are trained and excel in caring for children, infants, and newborns. Such medical facilities cater exclusively to young patients and are therefore even considered as “specialty” care clinic since the care is “specialized” for young patients. Urgent care clinics take care of illnesses and conditions that are “urgent” defined as those needing immediate attention. These are different from “emergent” which are life- or limb-threatening situations. 

“Children are not little adults” is an adage that is meticulously taught to every health care member in a pediatric team.

Physiologically, children are much different and unique and hence need specialized care. Across the country, there is a growing awareness of the need for pediatrics-only urgent care clinics – centers where children whose health conditions need immediate attention can be seen in a timely manner. This immediate care prevents a condition from evolving into an emergent issue and also provides direction for parents in quick and safe care. 

The need for this tier of health care has been quickly recognized by MercyOne. As a pioneer in providing radically convenient care for patients, MercyOne Des Moines has recently opened central Iowa’s very first pediatric urgent care clinic at 330 Laurel Street, Des Moines. At this clinic, pediatric patients with urgent needs (see list below) can be served in a timely fashion long after their primary care clinics are closed for the day. The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 5 to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary because patients are seen on a walk-in basis.

A vital component of treatment at an urgent care clinic is follow up and ongoing care. Any patient served at our pediatric urgent care will subsequently be guided to receive ongoing care with their own primary care provider within or outside MercyOne’s clinic system. As part of this endeavor, keeping patients within their primary medical home is one of our main quality goals.

An urgent care is not equipped to care for emergency conditions which are best handled in the pediatric emergency department at the hospital. When in doubt it is important for parents to reach a health care professional for clarification. 

Not sure if what your child has is treated for at our pediatric urgent care? Here’s a list of most things covered:

  • Allergies
  • Asthma (minor attack)
  • Broken bones (minor, not bent)
  • Bronchiolitis
  • Burns (minor)
  • Colds
  • Cough
  • Cuts (minor, no uncontrollable bleeding)
  • Dehydration
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Earaches
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Head injury (minor, no loss of consciousness)
  • Insect or minor dog bite
  • Nausea
  • Pink eye
  • Rash
  • Sore throat
  • Sprain/strain
  • Stitches (minor cut)
  • Stomach pain (minor)
  • Urinary tract infection

About the Author

pediatric urgent careNivedita Krishnan, M.D., is the medical director of the new MercyOne Des Moines Pediatrics Urgent Care Clinic. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Connect with MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center

Website: MercyOne.org/desmoines

Twitter: @MercyOneDSM

Facebook: @mercyonedesmoines

Instagram: @mercyonedesmoines

Pinterest: @MercyOneDesMoines


The post is part of a series of sponsored posts by MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center

Parents, You’re Doing Fine

Car Seat Safety: 10 Tips for Installing a Car Seat

Expecting a Baby? Don’t Miss MercyOne’s Spring Stork Affair

Slow Down: Benefits of Unstructured Play

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here