Acute Care Specialist

What is acute care?

Acute medical issues are problems that need to be addressed immediately, the same day, or the next day. Some health issues, like well visits or sports physicals, can be scheduled in advance without any compromise to your child’s health and comfort. But other issues require prompt attention to relieve symptoms and to prevent a condition from becoming worse. Sometimes acute care is referred to as urgent care or same-day or next-day care.

What kinds of issues are considered acute?

Acute care is a broad term that can include many issues that need to be addressed quickly, including issues such as:

• Colds or flu
• Allergy symptoms like rashes
• Asthma (severe asthma that interferes with breathing requires a trip to the emergency room)
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Ear pain
• Mild burns
• Insect bites
• Sprains or strains
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Splinters
• Headaches
• Symptoms like problems with sleep, appetite, or mood changes

Does Midwest Child and Adolescent Specialty Group, PC, offer same-day appointments?

Yes. The office offers both same-day and next-day appointments for patients with urgent care needs.

What is the difference between acute care and emergency room treatment?

Acute care differs from emergency care in that the issues addressed in an acute care setting aren’t severe or even life-threatening. Health issues like concussions, compound fractures, deep lacerations, or very serious allergic reactions that interfere with breathing require a call to 9-1-1 and a trip to the emergency room.

By comparison, acute care services ensure your child gets the care they need promptly for non-emergent issues, without heading to a crowded emergency room. Emergency rooms are equipped to handle serious medical emergencies, and the care they provide is typically very costly compared to the care provided at Midwest Child and Adolescent Specialty Group, PC. Plus, emergency room waiting times are very long for people whose needs aren’t immediate, which means parents and kids can spend a lot of time waiting for care. During ER visits, children and their caregivers also can be exposed to many other diseases that can wind up causing infections. Acute care at Midwest Child and Adolescent Specialty Group, PC, is faster and less costly, and it can also be a lot less nerve-wracking for both kids and their parents.