January 13th 2025
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Pediatric Urgent Care and Evening Hours

Important Questions to Ask Before Entrusting Your Child’s Health to a General Urgent Care Clinic

When your child needs urgent care, ensuring they receive the best and most specialized attention is vital. Here are key questions to guide your decision-making:

  1. Do they treat only children?
    Are they a pediatrics-only facility? Remember, children are not small adults; they require specialized care.
  2. Are they staffed by board-certified pediatricians most nights?
    Board-certified pediatricians are specifically trained to manage children's unique medical needs.
  3. Is a pediatric advanced practice provider available when a board-certified pediatrician isn’t on site?
    Access to a pediatric-trained professional is essential for quality care.
  4. Do they care for children of all ages, including infants under 2 years old?
    This ensures they truly specialize in pediatric care.
  5. Do they offer a complimentary 24/7 pediatric-only nurse triage service?
    Access to round-the-clock professional guidance can be a lifesaver for parents.
  6. Are primary care board-certified pediatricians on call 24/7 for emergencies?
    Having access to your child's primary pediatrician ensures continuity and familiarity in care.
  7. Is the urgent care certified as part of a primary pediatric medical home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance?
    This certification indicates adherence to high-quality pediatric care standards.
  8. Is the facility owned and directed by independent pediatricians based in the Tampa Bay community?
    Local, independent ownership helps avoid conflicts of interest and keeps care patient-focused.
  9. Is the urgent care facility free from national healthcare chains or expensive hospital-owned networks?
    Independence means care decisions are driven by patient needs rather than corporate interests.
  10. Do they provide continuity of care with instant access to your child’s medical records and history?
    Can they seamlessly connect you with your child’s primary care pediatric provider for follow-ups?

For the highest quality pediatric urgent care, ensure the answer to each question is YES.

Click here to learn more about PHCA’s Pediatric Urgent Care (Evenings) and Weekend Hours.