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The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) today opened an after-hours urgent care center in Chalfont, PA, dedicated exclusively to children. CHOP also operates pediatric urgent care centers in Mays Landing, NJ, and King of Prussia, PA.
“We are excited to now offer urgent care in three locations throughout the extensive CHOP Care Network, making it even more convenient for local families to get expert pediatric care in their communities,” said Madeline Bell, CHOP president and chief operating officer. “CHOP Urgent Care Centers provide families with a new way to receive the appropriate level of care in a fast, convenient and child-friendly environment.”
Staffed by CHOP pediatricians, and nurses specialized in pediatric care, the Urgent Care Center in Chalfont provides after-hours care for children with mild to moderate, non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries that do not require the resources of an emergency room. Located within the existing CHOP Specialty Care Center at 500 West Butler Ave., the Urgent Care Center is open when parents and children need quick access to care — evenings, weekends and holidays. Hours of operation are weekdays from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and holidays.
“We know that it can be scary for parents when your child gets sick or injured when the pediatrician’s office is closed,” said Michael Maraventano, MD, medical director of Bucks County Urgent Care. “Whether it’s a late-night fever or unexpected injury over the weekend or holiday, parents will now have peace of mind knowing that expert care from CHOP’s pediatric specialists is available when their children need it most.”
CHOP experts will treat children with non-life-threatening, non-emergent illnesses such as ear infections, rashes, headaches, minor burns, wounds requiring stitches, mild to moderate asthma, and broken bones without obvious deformities or sprains. On-site X-ray and lab facilities enable timely diagnostic testing and treatment.
In order to make care as seamless as possible, a child’s pediatrician will receive a prompt report of each visit with a detailed summary of care provided, a list of any medications prescribed or administered, and a treatment plan.
“The Urgent Care Center is not meant to replace a child’s relationship with his or her pediatrician,” said Maraventano. “We are here to serve as a resource when their offices are closed, and children need immediate care.”
With lower co-pays and shorter wait times than emergency rooms, urgent care is a convenient solution for parents seeking high-quality pediatric care after hours. Children requiring emergency care should be treated at their local ER. The Urgent Care Center does not treat serious, life-threatening illnesses or injuries, or conditions such as poisoning, seizures, severe difficulty breathing or swallowed objects.
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has a well-established history of providing top-notch pediatric care close to home through its CHOP Care Network, which has more than 50 locations throughout the region. The After-Hours Urgent Care Center is housed within the CHOP Specialty Care and Surgery Center in Bucks County, which has provided outpatient specialty medical and surgical services including ambulatory surgery, and ancillary testing to families in Bucks County since 1999.
Contact: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia,