Read on for answers to some of the most common questions about pediatric urgent care.

What are the benefits of pediatric urgent care?

It’s important to make the distinction between a typical urgent care center that sees patients of all ages and a pediatric urgent care center. At pediatric facilities like CHOP's, the staff is uniquely skilled in the assessment of a sick or injured child.

Of course, assessment is critical in all healthcare, but particularly in pediatrics where it can be difficult for children to describe their symptoms. While it’s your job as a parent to recognize when something isn’t right and take action, it’s the provider’s job to answer the question, “How sick is this child?” This assessment, also called triage, is very different for children than it is for adults. For a young child it can be a thin line between “a little sick” and “dangerously ill.”

The staff at CHOP’s pediatric Urgent Care Centers understand that children are not small adults. That’s because they’re board-certified CHOP pediatricians and pediatric nurses with experience in pediatric assessment in CHOP’s Emergency Department, Neonatal/Infant Intensive Care (N/IICU) Unit, and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

An Urgent Care visit is also typically less expensive than an Emergency Room visit—but it all depends on the patient’s insurance coverage, so make sure to check your coverage before your visit. Like the ER, walk-ins are always welcome and appointments are never needed.

Can pediatric urgent care replace my pediatrician?

No. Your kids should always stay up to date with their regular wellness visits, and if they are sick during normal office hours, your pediatrician—who knows your child and family best—should be your first choice. But when the office is closed, your child’s doctor will know that pediatric urgent care is a great option. And CHOP’s pediatric Urgent Care Centers promptly communicate all of the important information from the visit back to your pediatrician so that everyone's on the same page.

So, when should I head to a pediatric urgent care center?

If you’re able to, consult with your child’s pediatrician in that moment to determine if urgent care is the right choice. The teams at CHOP’s locations are equipped to manage many conditions, including:

• Allergic reactions
• Asthma
• Broken bones requiring splinting (pediatric radiologist available to read X-rays while you wait)
• Coughs, colds and sore throats
• Cuts or minor gashes
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• Earaches
• Fever in babies older than 2 months
• Headaches
• Minor burns
• Minor head injuries
• Pinkeye
• Rashes
• Removal of ticks, splinters, hooks and other sharp objects
• Skin abscesses (small pockets of pus that are usually caused by infection)
• Sports injuries
• Urinary tract infections
• Vomiting

Unfortunately, sometimes you'll be faced with a true emergency and will need to take your child to the closest emergency department. Here are some of the top reasons to visit the ER:

• Behavior change following loss of consciousness, especially after a head injury, including vomiting, disorientation and headache
• Bleeding you can’t stop
• Blue or purple skin or lips
• Broken bones requiring casting
• Choking
• Conditions requiring immediate blood test results
• Electric shocks
• Fever in infants younger than 2 months
• Large burns or smoke inhalation
• Loose or knocked out teeth or other injuries to the mouth or face
• Near drowning
• Poisoning (call Poison Control Center first - 1-800-222-1222)
• Seizures
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Significant difficulty breathing
• Steadily decreasing responsiveness
• Sudden impact injuries such as from a car or bicycle accident, or falls from heights
• Testicular pain or injuries
• Unconsciousness or severe dizziness

Unfortunately, we know all too well as parents that kids get sick and accidents happen... If you live in the Philadelphia Area, make sure you also know the nearest CHOP’s pediatric Urgent Care Center location.