When Should You Utilize an Urgent Care Facility for Kids? - Legacy ER

When your child is sick on the weekend or outside normal business hours, it can be tough to know where to turn. Is your child sick enough to require emergency care? Would it be beneficial to utilize an urgent care facility for kids nearby? If you’re not sure when to choose an urgent care facility for kids, here are a few signs that it’s the right call.

Your Pediatrician’s Office Is Closed

As with any medical issue, your primary care physician should be your first line of defense. When your children are experiencing medical issues, their pediatrician should be the first resource you utilize. But we can’t control when a child is sick or well. So if your pediatrician’s office is closed and you’re not sure what to do, contacting an urgent care facility for kids is a safe choice. It’s still a good idea to follow up with your pediatrician after you seek urgent care services, though, so make sure you schedule a follow-up appointment for your child after they’ve received treatment from an urgent care physician.

You Need a Concrete Diagnosis

When your pediatrician isn’t available and you’re unsure what your child is sick with, urgent care services can be an excellent resource. In addition, treatment is available at urgent care facilities for a wide swath of common illnesses.

Some of the most commonly treated ailments in children at urgent care facilities include:

• Strep throat
• Ear infection
• Bone fractures
• Sprains
• Common cold
• Flu
• Pink eye
• Minor cuts
• Fever

So if you’re unsure about urgent care facilities, the truth is that they can help you care for your child when your doctor isn’t available. And if you’re unsure what your child is sick with, you can receive a concrete diagnosis. That way, when you follow up with your pediatrician’s office afterward, you’ll be a step ahead in helping your child recover from their illness.

If your child absolutely can’t wait to receive a medical diagnosis and treatment for their ailment, urgent care services are a lifesaver for parents like you. Considering that almost 92% of urgent care centers maintain wait times of 30 minutes or less, the truth is that you’ll likely be in and out in less than an hour. When your child needs immediate medical attention, an urgent care facility for kids can help.