Urgent care for kids: when to choose pediatric urgent care.

What pediatric urgent care is and how it helps kids.

Urgent care fills the gap between your child's regular doctor and the emergency room. 

Walk-in clinics like CityMD treat medical issues that need attention but aren't life-threatening emergencies.

Healthcare research shows that about one in four emergency room visits could actually be handled at urgent care centers. With 137 million Americans visiting emergency departments each year, that means millions of families might find faster, more affordable care at urgent care facilities. 

How urgent care centers treat children.

Most urgent care centers, including CityMD, see children and have providers experienced in treating pediatric patients. 

While not exclusively pediatric facilities, they're equipped to handle common childhood illnesses and injuries.

Common urgent care services for kids.

Urgent care centers typically handle:

• Minor cuts and scrapes that might need cleaning or stitches
• Ear infections and sore throats (including strep testing)
• Mild asthma flare-ups and breathing trouble
• Fevers and stomach bugs
• Sprains and minor injuries from sports or play

Key advantages of urgent care for families.

The main advantage is convenience. Most urgent care centers offer:

• Extended hours beyond regular doctor office times
• Weekend and holiday availability
• Shorter wait times than emergency rooms
• Walk-in service without appointments

When kids need urgent care vs. the emergency room vs. the pediatrician.

Choosing the right level of care depends on your child's symptoms and how quickly they need to be seen.

When to use urgent care for your child.

Urgent care works best for conditions that need attention today but aren't life-threatening emergencies. 

These include:

• Fever with mild to moderate symptoms (not extremely high or lasting days)
• Ear pain or suspected ear infection
• Sore throat that might be strep
• Minor cuts that might need stitches
• Sprains or minor fractures

You should also consider urgent care for mild breathing problems that don't involve severe wheezing, or vomiting and diarrhea without signs of serious dehydration.

When to go to the emergency room.

Some situations require immediate emergency care and can't wait. 

Call 911 or head to the ER right away for:

• High fever in babies under 3 months
• Severe breathing problems or wheezing
• Signs of serious dehydration (no wet diapers, extreme lethargy)
• Severe injuries like deep cuts or obvious broken bones
• Head injuries with vomiting or confusion
• Poisoning or dangerous ingestion

Any time you're truly scared about your child's safety, the emergency room is the right choice.

When to wait for your pediatrician

Some health concerns can safely wait for your regular doctor's office hours. 

These include symptoms that are mild and can wait a day or two, plus routine care needs:

• Checkups or vaccine updates
• Behavioral or developmental concerns
• Chronic condition management
• Minor rashes or skin issues that aren't getting worse

Key deciding factors include timing (how quickly symptoms developed), severity (how much they're affecting your child) and your best judgment.

Urgent care visits are just one piece of keeping your family healthy. Find more practical tips for managing your children's health year-round in our health and wellness blog.

What to expect at urgent care for kids: services and wait times.

Most urgent care visits for children follow a similar pattern, though experiences vary by location and time of day.

• Urgent care wait times. These range from 15 minutes to 2 hours, with evenings and weekends usually busier. Many centers offer online check-in to reduce waiting room time.
• Urgent care services available to kids. These typically include basic lab work like strep tests and urine tests, urgent care X-rays for suspected fractures, minor procedures like removing splinters, wound care and stitches and prescription medications when needed.
• What to bring to urgent care. Your child's insurance card, a list of current medications and comfort items like a favorite toy or blanket.
• The urgent care visit. Usually starts with checking in and providing basic information. A nurse will take vital signs and ask about symptoms. The provider will examine your child and may order tests if needed. You'll get a treatment plan and any necessary prescriptions.
• Limitations to know about. Most urgent care centers can't handle complex procedures, major injuries requiring surgery, or conditions that need specialized pediatric equipment. They also typically don't provide ongoing care for chronic conditions.
• Communication with your pediatrician. This is important. Many urgent care centers can send visit notes to your child's regular doctor, helping maintain continuity of care.

Urgent care for kids: making the right choice for your child.

While not a replacement for emergency care or routine pediatric visits, urgent care for kids provides a valuable middle-ground option for common childhood health issues.

At CityMD, our experienced providers see children regularly and understand that pediatric care requires special attention to both medical needs and family comfort. We're equipped to handle many common childhood illnesses and injuries, with the convenience of walk-in service when your family needs care most.

No appointment necessary - just bring your child in when urgent care is the right level of treatment for their needs.