Where should you go to take your sick or injured child? Should you visit a pediatric after hours care clinic, the urgent care or emergency department, or wait to see your child’s primary care provider? This page can help you decide.
Pediatric Associates of Austin provides comprehensive care for children, including access to after hours care. This service ensures your child receives prompt, expert care when your regular pediatrician’s office is closed. Contact us today for more information!
Symptoms & Conditions We Treat
What Parents Have to Say
“Thank you all of the wonderful staff at PAA for caring for our kids! I am a pediatric healthcare worker and despite my medical background, this clinic gives me the comfort and safe space to just feel like ‘mom.’ I appreciate the extra mile that everyone goes through to make our family feel at ease!” — Emma M.
The best place for your child’s care depends on the severity and urgency of their condition. Each option—after hours care, the emergency room, urgent care centers, and your child’s primary care provider—serves a distinct role.
Choosing the right option saves time and ensures your child gets the appropriate level of care.
The emergency room (ER) is designed for serious, life-threatening conditions. If your child is experiencing any of the following, seek emergency care immediately:
If you’re unsure whether your child’s condition warrants an emergency room visit, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and go. Emergency departments are equipped to handle life-threatening injuries and critical medical issues 24/7.
Pediatric after hours care is a convenient alternative to the ER when your child’s condition isn’t life-threatening but still needs attention outside of normal office hours. After hours care clinics are specifically designed for children, so they offer a more child-friendly environment than urgent care centers.
Consider after hours care for:
Pediatric Associates of Austin offers after hours care to ensure your child can receive quality medical treatment even when your regular pediatrician is unavailable.
Your child’s pediatrician is your most familiar and consistent source of care. For non-urgent medical issues, schedule an appointment with your child’s primary care provider. Your pediatrician is best equipped to handle:
If you’re unsure whether you should visit the pediatrician or seek more immediate care, contact your child’s provider. They can advise you on the best course of action.
When your child is sick or injured, it’s important to assess the situation calmly and quickly. Follow these steps to determine where to seek care:
By assessing the urgency of your child’s condition, you can decide whether to visit an after hours care center, your pediatrician’s office, or the emergency room.
Urgent care centers provide medical services similar to after hours care but often lack pediatric specialists. If a pediatric-specific option, like Pediatric Associates of Austin’s After Hours Kids, is available, it’s generally a better choice for children. However, you can still consider urgent care centers for:
Unlike after hours care, many urgent care centers treat adults and children, so they may not have the same child-friendly approach. For the best care, look for a pediatric urgent care center that specializes in treating kids.
Knowing when to go to the emergency room, an after hours care location, urgent care centers, or your child’s primary care provider can make a big difference in your child’s health—and your peace of mind.
Pediatric Associates of Austin provides high-quality pediatric care, including comprehensive after hours care for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. If your child is sick or injured, don’t hesitate to contact our office in Austin, Texas, for expert guidance and support!
