Pediatric Urgent Care Services in Bergenfield, NJ
Urgent Care vs Emergency Room
Every parent is familiar with the anxiety that comes with a child's injury or illness. When your child is in pain, every minute feels like an eternity, and you want to do whatever it takes to make them feel better. But sometimes, deciding where to seek medical care can be difficult.
Urgent care centers and emergency rooms both provide essential medical services, but they are designed to handle different situations. Understanding which option is best for your child can save precious time and money while ensuring that your child receives the best possible care.
Next Generation Pediatric Urgent Care is the go-to place for those instances where your child needs medical attention quickly but isn’t facing a life-threatening emergency. It’s a place where experienced medical professionals can quickly address these issues, like an ankle injury from soccer practice or that fever that suddenly spiked. With urgent care, you can avoid the long waits typical of emergency rooms and spend less on medical care, all while receiving quality care from a team of expert doctors.
At our pediatric urgent care center, quick care doesn’t mean compromising quality. Here, our dedicated pediatric experts specialize in overcoming fears and healing young patients with expertise and kindness. We’re here to help you navigate those sudden sick days or unexpected falls with skill and compassion.
When it’s not a life-or-death situation, but you still want the assurance of a pediatric expert, Next Generation Pediatric Urgent Care is ready and equipped to support your family. If you're unsure whether you need urgent care or ER, call us at (201) 875-2454. If urgent care is the best option, schedule an appointment with us!
Urgent Care From a Pediatrician Near You
When to Choose Which Kind of Care
Knowing when to go to urgent care and when to go to the emergency room is crucial in ensuring your child receives timely and appropriate medical care.
Pediatric urgent care is ideal for non-life-threatening situations that can't wait for a doctor’s appointment. Common conditions treated at urgent care include:
- Sports injuries
- Most head injuries, including mild concussion
- Wounds like most burns, cuts, and scrapes
- Mild allergic reactions or asthma attacks
- Illnesses like colds, flu, strep throat, or ear infections
On the other hand, emergency rooms are designed to handle severe or life-threatening situations that demand immediate medical intervention. These may include:
- Life-threatening injuries
- Severe chest pain
- Severe allergic reactions or asthma attacks that are not responding to outpatient management
- An unconscious or non-responsive child or sudden changes in behavior
- Major wounds with uncontrollable, heavy bleeding
While both options can provide competent and compassionate care, some key differences between them could impact your decision. Emergency rooms tend to have longer wait times, higher costs, and focus on stabilizing and treating critical conditions. Pediatric urgent care centers offer more cost-effective options for non-life-threatening situations and are often faster than emergency rooms.
Plus, at a pediatric urgent care center like Next Generation, all doctors on staff are experienced physicians specialized in Pediatrics or Pediatric Emergency Medicine. This means that your child will be seen by a doctor with expertise in treating the unique medical needs of kids, teens, and young adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I go to urgent care or the ER?
In short, when deciding between urgent care and the emergency room, it's essential to evaluate your child's condition. If they are experiencing a severe or life-threatening situation, then the ER is the best option. However, if your child needs immediate medical attention for a non-life-threatening issue, such as a fever or sprained ankle, urgent care is typically the more appropriate choice.
Should I wait to take my child to their pediatrician?
If you believe your child should be seen by a healthcare professional for an injury or illness and their usual pediatrician’s office has no available appointments, or if they’re already closed to the day, don’t wait to get your child the care they need. Next Generation Pediatric Urgent Care is here to help fill the gap.
Is an urgent care doctor just as qualified as an ER doctor?
Unfortunately, not all urgent care centers are created equally. At Next Generation Pediatric Urgent Care, our doctors are highly trained and experienced medical professionals who can handle a variety of conditions, ensuring that your child receives the best possible care.
How do I schedule with a pediatric specialist at an urgent care near me?
It's easy! You can schedule online or call us at (201) 875-2454. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need us; our doors are open from 11 am to 10 pm daily, ready to provide excellent, specialized care for your little ones when they need it the most.