System Connection Benefits Pediatric Urgent Care Patients
Luka Fatato, 3, was dancing in his living room when he slipped and hit his face on the coffee table.
“I knew pretty immediately he would need sutures or stitches,” said Jayde Fatato, his mother. They headed to Albany Med EmUrgentCare in Rotterdam, where they had previously had a good experience. The doctor agreed that Luka needed stitches, but due to the location of the wound on his upper lip, he would need mild sedation for the procedure. He sent the family to the Massry Family Children’s Emergency Center at Albany Medical Center.
While Albany Med Health System urgent cares offer walk-in, telehealth, and scheduled services for patients of all ages, they also provide care tailored just for children and a connection to a pediatric Emergency Department and the specialists at the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital for consultation and referrals.
“When we got to the hospital, everyone knew why we were there and what we were doing,” said Jayde Fatato. Plastic surgeons were also available, if needed. Fatato said the physician assistant and nursing team were “phenomenal,” and was impressed by how quickly her son was treated. Two months later, Luka is healing well, still dancing in the living room.
Direct Connection to Advanced Care
“The direct link between Albany Med EmUrgentCares and pediatric emergency physicians and specialists creates a unique opportunity for patients and families to be assured they are getting the best care in the most convenient and accessible setting,” said Jacqueline Weaver, MD, an emergency medicine physician who treats patients at urgent care sites throughout the System. “If we have a complicated case, we can connect to our colleagues in pediatric emergency medicine or pediatric subspecialties.”
She gave examples of a child visiting urgent care several times for ear infections being referred to the pediatric otolaryngologist for further evaluation; or a vomiting child who has pain in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen and needs to be evaluated for appendicitis.
Through the Systemwide electronic medical record Epic, the health care teams can access and exchange information in real time, as though they are in the same office.
“Having one documentation system has made it much easier to communicate,” said Brooke Zimmermann, practice administrator for the Department of Emergency Medicine. “The specialists can see what our visit with the child was like, and when we send kids to the peds ED, that team can see our notes in real time, know what we did and our thought process.”
She noted that this has also reduced lead time for referrals.
“The overwhelming majority of our urgent care patients can be taken care of and discharged,” said Dr. Weaver. “But if it’s something more serious, we are able to direct patients to the next level of care through referral to a pediatric specialist or sending them to the pediatric ED. When you get care at one of our EmUrgentCares, you’re part of the System and its many specialties and resources.”
Expanding Expertise into the Community
The urgent care providers also receive specialized training in pediatric urgent and emergency care, led by Albany Medical Center’s Carrie Danziger, MD, who is fellowship-trained in pediatric emergency medicine, and Alison Spear, MD, chief of the Division of Urgent Care and Community Outreach. This ensures the health care teams are ready for anything that may walk in the urgent care door.
“We put a lot of effort into making sure that our providers feel comfortable seeing kids and are appropriately trained for the needs of the pediatric population,” said Dr. Weaver. Albany Med EmUrgentCare is also connected with school nurses at six regional school districts, giving them a direct video connection to the System’s urgent care clinicians.
“These enhancements improve patient access and allow us to truly be integrated into the community,” said Dr. Weaver.
Her team also handles first aid at local events such as the Girls on the Run 5K and the Niskayuna Soccer Club Tournament, treating cuts and scrapes on scene, and sending more severe injuries to EmUrgentCare or the pediatric ED.