Should I take my child to Pediatric After-Hours Clinic or go to the emergency room?

When your child is sick or hurt, it can be difficult to determine whether an After-Hours Clinic or Emergency Department is the best choice.

Pediatric After-Hours Care

Pediatric After-Hours Clinic treats children with illnesses and injuries that require medical attention but are not life-threatening. After-hours care should be used when your primary care physician's office is closed. Common conditions that can be treated at Pediatric After-Hours Clinic include:

• Ear infections
• Sore throats
• Minor burns
• Minor asthma
• Sprains or minor pains
• Small lacerations

Emergency Department

If you are ever unsure about whether your child needs emergency care, treat it as an emergency. In general, take your child to an emergency department anytime you think the problem requires immediate attention, including for the following:

• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Blue or purple lips, skin or fingernails
• Choking
• Chest or stomach pain or pressure
• Seizures
• Animal, snake or human bites
• Severe or uncontrolled bleeding
• Head, spinal cord or eye injuries
• Suddenly not able to see, move or speak
• Fainting, sudden dizziness, weakness or loss of consciousness
• Poisoning
• Deep cuts or severe burns
• Broken bones or sudden, severe joint pain or swelling
• Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Changes in vision
• Any sudden or severe pain
• Coughing or vomiting blood
• Unusual abdominal pain
• Suicidal feelings
• Infants under 2 months of age with a fever
• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives; swelling of the face, lips, eyes or tongue; fainting or trouble breathing

Pediatric After-Hours Clinic provides after-hours medical services to established patients of UBCP affiliated physicians, and NEW patients while maintaining the highest excellence in care.

We strongly encourage you to call in advance to make an appointment.

Pediatric After-Hours Clinics serve patients from infancy through age 21.

We are conveniently located near pharmacies that have late hours.

We are conveniently located so that if your child requires x-rays or special labs, these services are immediately available.

We inform your doctor of your visit and fax our charts and lab results directly to them. This allows your pediatrician to avoid repetitive tests and provide the best follow-up care possible

We work with your primary care doctor to accept the same insurance plans.
If you are not sure that your coverage specifically addresses these policies and benefits, please contact your health insurance’s customer service department for policy and benefits verification. The customer service phone number is located on the back of your health insurance ID card.

We don't charge extra for the added convenience of coming to one of our Pediatric After-Hours Clinics. Your visit to a Pediatric After-Hours Clinic will cost only as much as a physician office visit or your insurance co-payment. Most insurance types are accepted, and co-pays are due at the time of service.