Pediatric after hours clinics are a division of patient care that treats a wide array of medical issues needing immediate attention but are not life-threatening, as seen in emergency care. So often, emergency departments are filled with non-emergent cases, rather urgent concerns, which unfortunately causes long wait times.

Luckily, pediatric after hours clinics like Firefly Health After Hours Care can treat these cases while lowering your costs and wait times, optimizing your visit. Further, we offer many family care services that you would typically seek from your primary physician.

Is it better to go to a pediatric after hour clinic or ER?

If you are not experiencing a life-threatening condition, it is usually best to visit a pediatric after hour clinic instead of the emergency department of a hospital for numerous reasons. First, emergency rooms typically have long wait times, and patients may be sitting for hours before being seen. In pediatric after hour clinic’s, wait times are significantly reduced. The Firefly Health After Hours Care offers extended office hours to ensure availability, as we are open from 2 PM to 10 PM Friday and 4 PM to 10 PM Saturday and Sunday. We also offer many family care services and treatments, covering more non-emergent services than an emergency department. While we do accept walk-ins, we also offer scheduled appointments, unlike an ER. If your condition requires further testing, Firefly Health After Hours Care is likely able to perform it in the office. Finally, the costs of services in a pediatric after hour clinic are often less than those achieved in the emergency room. If you do not know if you should go to the ER or a pediatric after hour clinic, please give our office a call, and we can help advise you on the best direction to go in.

What common children’s injuries and illnesses are treated at pediatric after hour clinic?

Children are inquisitive and do not have the life experience to make full judgments on safety. Therefore, they can be harmed in many ways. Common injuries in pediatric after hour clinic include cuts and abrasions, broken bones, head injuries, burns, and foreign objects. Cuts can be cleaned, sutured, and dressed at urgent care centers, and antibiotics may be given to ward off infection. Broken bones can be assessed using x-ray imaging available at Firefly Health After Hours Care; casts, braces, and splints can be applied by one of our health care providers.

In the case of foreign objects, many parents panic when a child has lodged an object or toy into the ear or nose, though these can be safely removed in urgent care. Children may also fall ill easily, as their immune defenses are not mature, and they are not conscientious of spreading germs.

Varicella, also known as chickenpox, is a common childhood illness, as are measles, mumps, and rubella. However, children are vaccinated numerous times for these illnesses to decrease susceptibility. In addition, frequent pediatric visits often are regarding common colds, influenza, ear infections, and infections of the lungs and airways, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

What’s the difference between urgent adult care and urgent pediatric care?

There is not much difference between adult and urgent pediatric care in terms of service. However, pediatric physicians will be more interested in milestones in a child’s life and their vaccinations. Pediatric care is also more frequently delivered, whereas an adult individual may see a doctor once or twice a year. It is known that the adult body is stronger than a child’s, and the body’s immune system can be sufficient in fighting infection and healing wounds.

A child’s body and immunity systems are not as developed or familiar with illness and therefore cannot heal the body as effectively. The body structures are also weaker and can be damaged easier. For these reasons, pediatric illnesses and injuries should be promptly seen by a health care professional.

Get Firefly Health After Hours Care’s exceptional team of physicians and specialists is here to offer you numerous health care services. If you or your child need urgent care or primary care, please call our office or book an appointment online. You may also walk-in during our extended office hours to be seen. Our team looks forward to meeting you and serving you. We serve patients from Gallatin TN, Cottontown TN, Shackle Island TN, Graball TN, Bethpage TN, Castalian Springs TN, Laguardo TN, Hendersonville TN, Portland TN, Mt. Juliet TN, and BEYOND!!