How do I complete medical release forms (school, camp, athletic participation)?

Please indicate while checking in if you have any medical release forms that require completion. Every time you request that we fill out a form of this type, you are asking us to share your child's medical information with an entity that is not subject to the same privacy rules.

Since that is the case, HIPAA requires that you fill out a consent form allowing us to share your private information and to retain copies of any information that leaves our office for 7 years, just in case your child's information is ever used inappropriately.

What is your practice's philosophy on vaccinations?

With the routine use of vaccinations, we have successfully protected our children from many diseases that used to significantly injure and kill thousands of children every year. Therefore, we support the policy of the American Academy of Pediatrics that all children should be vaccinated on a timely schedule. We take this stance as a commitment to the health of your child as well as to the other children in our practice. Please see our Resources section for the most current and objective information on vaccines.

What is your practice's philosophy on the use of antibiotics?

We treat antibiotics the same way we treat all other medications. If their use will help your child's condition and the risks of side effects are outweighed by the anticipated benefits, we will recommend an antibiotic.

Many people incorrectly believe that every child with a fever or with a discolored discharge from the nose or the eyes requires an antibiotic. In fact, those illnesses caused by bacteria respond to antibiotics, whereas illnesses caused by viruses will not respond. Additionally, many minor bacterial infections will resolve without the use of antibiotics. We cannot determine over the telephone whether a bacteria or a virus causes your child's illness.

Therefore, prior to prescribing antibiotics, we ask that you come in for an office visit.

What if I have a non-urgent call for medical advice during the day or are unsure if my child needs an appointment?

We have enlisted the help of two professionals, Jeannie Rubacky, RN, and Janice Barnett, RN, to make sure your questions are always answered promptly. Our well trained nursing staff has over ten years combined experience in pediatric telephone triage and can handle a variety of questions. If for some reason you need to speak directly with a particular physician, the message will be relayed and your call will be returned by the end of the day.

What if I have an emergency after office hours?

Every night of the year, we have a doctor from our practice on call to handle emergencies that arise after office hours. During the late evening hours, we also utilize the services of the Suburban Hospital After-Hours Nurse Triage Center. If the situation is complex or very concerning, there is always a doctor on call available to support our nurses in these situations.

Please be considerate of these after hour services and only utilize them for true emergencies that you feel would be unsafe to wait until the following morning. By limiting the after hours phone calls to emergencies, our physicians are more accessible to those parents with children who may have a true emergency. This is especially helpful during our very busy cold weather months.

We make every effort to return all after hours phone calls within 30 minutes. If you have a life-threatening emergency and feel that it would be unsafe to wait, please call 911 or proceed to the nearest Emergency Room.