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Every parent wants their children to be happy and healthy. Unfortunately, everyone knows that a cold or flu will eventually strike. There is no way they can guarantee that their child will never fall down, break a bone, or get a deep cut. The question is not whether a child will experience this, but rather when.
Ideally, your child only needs a doctor during his or her pediatrician’s business hours, and ideally on days when you aren’t working. But ideal isn’t always possible. That’s where urgent care comes in. When your child’s doctor is unavailable, urgent care can be a great alternative.
Perhaps you’re wondering if pediatric urgent care is different from regular urgent care. Are pediatric urgent care centers better suited to meet your child’s specific needs? Can’t you just go to your local urgent care? We’re here to answer your questions and provide the information you need so you’re ready when your child becomes sick and needs immediate care.
What is urgent care?
Urgent care is a type of emergency medical service. When your child is very sick, they may need to be treated in an emergency room at a hospital. Your child should see their regular pediatrician if they are generally healthy or have minor illnesses that don’t need immediate treatment. When your child is sick but doesn’t require emergency care, urgent care is the best choice.
The demand for urgent care facilities has increased dramatically over the past few years. Urgent care facilities are much more affordable and convenient than emergency rooms. Urgent care offers patients the perfect combination of medical expertise, emergency training, and quality health care.
At Nao Medical, our medical providers have previous emergency room experience and are well trained in emergency medicine. Nao Medical offers all the expertise that any pediatric urgent care facility would provide.
Urgent care can treat the following conditions:
- Fevers
- Non-life-threatening burns or cuts
- Sore throats
- Bronchitis
- Broken bones
- Moderate to severe pain
- Sports injuries
- Flu and the common cold
Urgent care centers are less likely to treat critical injuries and illnesses. Nao Medical’s doctors may suggest seeing another doctor if they feel it is necessary.
Nao Medical is open seven days a week, including holidays, so many patients prefer our offices for convenience and expertise. We also have x-ray machines and other medical equipment other places may not offer.
What is pediatric urgent care?
Pediatric urgent care facilities are specifically designed to meet children’s health needs. These care centers are not always staffed by Emergency Medicine professionals. It is more likely that they are staffed by pediatricians who work after hours to earn extra income.
A pediatric urgent care typically treats only sick children, as pediatricians see them on a regular basis. Some parents avoid pediatric urgent care centers altogether because they don’t want their child to get sick from exposure to germs.
Pediatric urgent care facilities are also typically open after hours only, whereas urgent care is open all day, every day. Also, the copay often required at a pediatric urgent care is usually the specialist copay and deductibles may apply which may be outside your family’s price range, especially if the pediatricians at the pediatric urgent care bill as out-of-network pediatricians. It’s best to consider the cost of the visit if the illness isn’t life-threatening.
Moreover, Pediatric Emergency Medicine is not a specialty in itself, it’s a fellowship training program for pediatricians. When your child needs specialist care, take them directly to the emergency room rather than a pediatric urgent care center.
Although pediatric urgent care is more cost-effective than the emergency room, it is not always the right choice for your child. For emergency situations, if your child is in danger of death or serious injury, always take them directly to the emergency room.
You may want to skip a pediatric urgent care appointment if your child can wait until their regular pediatrician is available so they can see the doctor who knows all their medical history. Nao Medical’s urgent care is open seven days a week to serve you. The emergency medicine specialists at our clinic treat children two and older, as well as adults for all their urgent care needs.
What does children’s urgent care treat?
These are some of the most common ailments requiring pediatric urgent care:
- Minor accidents or falls
- Allergic reactions
- Asthma attacks
- Vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration
- Cold or flu symptoms
- Earaches
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Cuts
- Sore throats
- General pain
Visit your nearest Nao Medical urgent care location if you find that the home remedies you normally use aren’t working. We will treat them as efficiently as possible.
How much will an urgent care visit cost me?
When you or a member of your family visit a pediatric urgent care center or an urgent care center, certain costs will apply. In addition to considering your child’s health, it’s important to also consider your budget.
Nao Medical accepts most health insurances, so if you decide to go to one of our urgent care locations, you need only pay your insurance copay and any prescription medicines that may be necessary.
Medical professionals at Nao Medical provide emergency room services for both adults and children. We are also available during times that are convenient for you.
Finding an urgent care near me
The New York area is home to many urgent care and pediatric care centers that offer exceptional service. The differences between urgent care and pediatric urgent care are very subtle. But, every little detail matters when it comes to your child’s health. It’s why we trained our staff to be experts in medicine and patient care of all ages.
Our urgent care is designed to make you feel comfortable and at ease during your most stressful times.
Nao Medical offers award-winning service and extended hours which allows patients access to urgent care services seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Try our pediatric urgent care the next time your child gets sick and you cannot reach their regular pediatrician. We offer a friendly, well-trained staff that will assist you without long wait times in the hospital emergency room.
