If your child becomes ill after hours, weekends, or holidays and you are not sure what to do or whether it is an emergency the first step is simple. Call us! That’s right, Dr. Yoder and PA Collins are available 24/7 to address your concerns. This is a free service that we provide to our patients and you should use it.
Some things are obvious emergencies; head trauma, seizures, suspected broken bone, major trauma (car accident, for example), deep cuts, poison ingestions, breathing difficulties, severe pain, burns, and altered mental status, for example. Those should go straight to the emergency department at USA Children and Women’s Hospital.
Some health problems are not clear emergencies. We can help you decide. For example, fever, sore throat, cough and cold, rashes, and earache are not generally emergencies and can wait until we open in the daytime. Remember that emergency doctors are less specialized than general pediatricians in the care of these common problems. We know your child’s health history and know what testing, diagnosis, and treatments are appropriate for your child’s age and condition.