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Scheduling Appointments
We have two types of appointments. Well-Child Care appointments, or "check-ups" are twenty minutes in length and are scheduled in advance. Sick Child appointments are ten minutes in length and can be scheduled either in advance or the same day.
When your child is ill, please call early in the day so that we can give you an appointment for that day. If your child has been sick for a few days and you call at the end of office hours, he or she might not be seen until the next day unless the doctor feels it is an emergency. Remember, appointments are kept open so that we can treat your sick child. Call early so that he or she can be seen!
If you are not sure if your child needs to be seen, call first. You will speak first with our nurse. She may be able to address your concerns. If you or she feels that you need to speak to your pediatrician, she will convey your problem to Dr. Stephens or Dr. Vogelgesang and he will return your call.
We receive a tremendous number of phone calls and our staff attempts to answer each call as promptly as possible. It would help us if you would avoid making non-urgent calls between 8:30 A.M. and 11:00 A.M., as this is when the phones are busiest.
If you call about an illness, it is helpful to give us as much of the following information as possible:
your child's name
age
weight
pediatrician
Brief history of the illness:
- When did it start?
- What are the symptoms?
- Child's temperature today?
- Medications given?
- What has made the child more comfortable?
- Are any other family members ill?
- How the child is acting (eating, drinking, sleeping, etc.)?
Any known allergies, chronic illness or daily medications.
What made you call at this particular time?
Your home telephone number or number where you can be reached.
Your pharmacy telephone number.
Any other information you feel is important.
As a final word on appointments, please call and cancel your child's appointment at least 24 hours in advance if you are unable to come. That will allow us to offer this time to another child. Families who miss appointments without canceling are subject to being charged for the visit.
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Scheduling Appointments
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