As parents, our primary goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of our children. However, accidents are an unfortunate reality. Understanding the top reasons kids end up in the ER, and realizing that many of these cases can be addressed at urgent care instead, is crucial. From common playground injuries to fevers and respiratory disorders, most of these cases can be effectively diagnosed and treated at many urgent care facilities.
Urgent care offers several advantages over the emergency room, including shorter wait times, convenient hours, and lower costs. Urgent care centers are equipped to handle a wide range of non-life-threatening conditions, such as minor fractures, cuts requiring stitches, and common illnesses. They have experienced providers who specialize in pediatrics and are dedicated to providing quality care to children. By choosing urgent care, you can avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room, which can be crowded and expensive. Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado is open 365 days per year, on weekends and holidays.
Join us as we delve into the top reasons kids end up in the ER that can also be treated in urgent care, equipping you with the knowledge to make prompt and informed decisions for your child’s care. We will explore the top five medical conditions and symptoms that often lead children to the ER and how these conditions can be effectively treated in many urgent care facilities, saving you time, money, and stress as a parent when it comes to your child’s medical needs.
1. Playground Injuries: Reasons to Seek Care
Playground injuries, such as ankle sprains or broken bones, are among the top reasons kids end up in the ER. Falls while riding a bike or rollerblading can also lead to injuries. Whether your child is playing at home, school, or other outdoor venues, it’s important to be vigilant. While not all injuries require emergency assistance, the following signs indicate a need for immediate attention:
- Sudden joint or bone pain
- Trouble using or moving the injured area or nearby joints
- Inability to bear weight
- Obvious deformity of the limb
Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado is prepared to diagnose and treat all critical cases of sprains, strains, dislocations, and broken bones. Our facility is equipped with on-site X-ray machines for quick diagnosis and treatment.
2. Fevers and Chills: Knowing When to Seek Urgent Care
Fevers can be a cause for concern, particularly if they reach a temperature over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). While fevers can be due to various reasons, it’s important to take note of accompanying symptoms and act accordingly. If your child experiences the following alongside a high temperature, it’s time to head to seek pediatric medical care:
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Lethargy or irritability
- Development of a new rash on the body
At Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado, we understand that fevers don’t take any weekends or holidays off, so we are prepared to find the cause and help reduce your child’s fever symptoms.
3. Respiratory Disorders: Addressing Breathing Difficulties
Respiratory disorders, including asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis, are also among the top reasons kids end up in the ER. If your child experiences difficulty breathing or has a flare-up of their asthma, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial.
Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado is prepared to treat all of the following respiratory disorders and breathing difficulties your child may be experiencing, including:
- Congestion & Upper Respiratory Infections
- Cough, Cold & Flu
- Bronchitis, Wheezing & Asthma Attacks
4. Rashes: Deciding When Urgent Care is Needed
Determining whether a rash requires urgent medical attention can be challenging. However, certain symptoms and circumstances warrant a trip to a pediatric medical facility, including:
- Sudden onset of a rash
- Persistence of the rash under gentle pressure (e.g., not fading when pressed with a glass)
- Association of the rash with other concerning symptoms, such as high fever, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, or painful joints
At Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado, our providers offer a warm, friendly environment to diagnose and treat all forms of rashes, bug bites, unknown skin conditions, and allergic reactions.
5. Vomiting and Diarrhea: Assessing Dehydration Risks
Vomiting and diarrhea are also one of the top reasons kids end up in the ER. While most cases can be managed at home, there are instances where urgent medical care is necessary, including:
- Multiple episodes of vomiting and/or diarrhea within a short period, with the inability to keep fluids down, indicate a need for immediate medical attention to prevent dehydration in your child
Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado is prepared to diagnose and treat all but the most critical cases of vomiting and diarrhea caused by dehydration requiring IV hydration and minor to severe stomach aches.
Look to Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado Before the ER to Save Time & Money During Emergencies
When it comes to your child’s health, choosing urgent care over the emergency room can bring numerous advantages. Urgent care centers offer shorter wait times, convenient hours, and lower costs compared to emergency rooms. With pediatric-specific providers specializing in a wide range of non-life-threatening conditions, urgent care provides efficient and comprehensive care solutions. By prioritizing urgent care for situations like playground injuries, fevers, respiratory disorders, rashes, vomiting, and diarrhea, parents can ensure prompt and effective medical care for their children. Explore our blog to discover more about how our pediatric-specific urgent care clinic in Northern Colorado provides faster, more affordable, and more comprehensive care solutions for some of the top reasons kids end up in the ER.
At Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado, our dedicated providers are available 365 days a year, including weekends and holidays. While urgent care may have specific operating hours, it’s important to know that seeking emergency room care may be necessary during urgent care closures in your area. View our walk-in hours and how to contact us so you can save time and money as a parent when a bandaid just isn’t enough.