When your child is sick or injured, it can be stressful trying to decide where to go for care. Should you call your pediatrician? Visit an urgent care center? Go straight to the emergency room?
For parents in Newnan, GA, knowing the difference between pediatric after-hours care, urgent care, and the emergency room can help you make a faster, more confident decision when your child needs medical attention.
At Children’s Clinic, we understand that illnesses and injuries do not always happen during regular office hours. That is why families have access to After Hours by Children’s Clinic in Fayetteville, GA, where board-certified pediatricians provide care for many non-emergency pediatric concerns at night and on weekends.
What Is the Difference Between Urgent Care and the Emergency Room?
Urgent care and emergency rooms both provide medical treatment, but they are designed for different levels of need.
Pediatric after-hours care or urgent care is typically best for illnesses or injuries that need prompt attention but are not life-threatening. These visits may include concerns like fever, ear pain, sore throat, mild asthma symptoms, rashes, minor burns, insect bites, or stomach symptoms.
The emergency room is designed for serious or potentially life-threatening situations. If your child has severe difficulty breathing, a major injury, uncontrolled bleeding, loss of consciousness, seizures, or symptoms that could put their life at risk, the ER is the right place to go.
When in doubt, it is always safest to seek emergency care.
When to Use After Hours by Children’s Clinic
After Hours by Children’s Clinic gives families a pediatric care option when their child is not feeling well and their regular pediatrician’s office is closed.
Located in Fayetteville, GA, After Hours by Children’s Clinic provides pediatric urgent care services from board-certified pediatricians. Appointments are not required. Families can simply walk in and be seen as quickly as possible.
This service does not replace your child’s pediatrician. Instead, it provides care at night and on weekends when the doctor’s office is closed. After your child is seen, your pediatrician will be informed of the treatment provided so they can continue any follow-up care if needed.
After Hours by Children’s Clinic may be appropriate for concerns such as:
- Allergies
- Mild allergic reactions
- Asthma symptoms
- Burns
- Cold symptoms
- Cough
- Diarrhea without dehydration
- Ear pain
- Ear infections
- Ear wax removal
- Fever in children older than 2 months
- Flu symptoms
- Headache
- Minor head injury
- Insect bites
- Laryngitis
- Lice
- Pink eye
- Pneumonia
- Rash
- Sinus infection
- Sore throat or strep throat
- Bee stings
- Stomachache
- Stuffy nose
- Sunburn
- Swimmer’s ear
- Urinary tract infection
- Vomiting
If your child is experiencing a non-life-threatening illness or injury after regular office hours, After Hours by Children’s Clinic may be a convenient option for pediatric care.
When to Call Children’s Clinic for a Same-Day Sick Appointment
If your child is sick during regular office hours, Children’s Clinic offers same-day sick appointments.
Parents can call 770-253-0170 to schedule an appointment for their child. Same-day appointments can help families avoid waiting when a child needs care for an illness or concern that should be addressed promptly.
Children’s Clinic is located at:
Children’s Clinic
354 Newnan Crossing Bypass, Suite 200
Newnan, GA 30265
Phone: 770-253-0170
Regular office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
When to Take Your Child to the Emergency Room
After Hours by Children’s Clinic does not provide emergency care services. If your child has a severe or life-threatening injury or illness, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if your child is experiencing:
- Severe difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Blue or gray lips or skin
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Deep wounds or serious injuries
- Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
- Seizures, especially if they last more than 5 minutes or your child does not have a known seizure disorder
- Severe allergic reaction with swelling of the mouth, face, or throat
- Head injury with vomiting, confusion, severe headache, or loss of consciousness
- Chest pain
- Severe burns, especially on the face or over a large area of the body
- Suspected broken bone with visible deformity
- Sudden weakness, numbness, or trouble speaking
- Any symptom that could be life-threatening
If you believe your child’s life could be at risk, call 911 right away.
A Quick Decision Guide for Parents
If you are unsure where to go, ask yourself:
- Is my child breathing normally?
- Is my child alert and responsive?
- Is there uncontrolled bleeding?
- Is my child able to drink fluids or keep fluids down?
- Is the pain manageable?
- Does my child seem stable overall?
If the answer is “no” to any of these questions, or if something feels seriously wrong, seek emergency care.
If your child seems stable but needs medical attention soon, call Children’s Clinic during regular office hours or visit After Hours by Children’s Clinic when the office is closed.
What to Bring to Your Visit
Whether you are visiting Children’s Clinic, After Hours by Children’s Clinic, urgent care, or the ER, it helps to bring:
- Your child’s insurance information
- A list of current medications
- A list of allergies
- Any recent temperature readings
- Notes about symptoms, including when they started
- Any required school or sports physical paperwork, if applicable
- A comfort item for your child, such as a blanket, stuffed animal, or small toy
Being prepared can help the visit go more smoothly and make it easier for the care team to understand what is going on.
After Hours by Children’s Clinic Location and Hours
After Hours by Children’s Clinic
115 Sumner Road
Fayetteville, GA 30214
Phone: 678-477-6904
Hours:
Monday through Friday: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
No appointment is required for after-hours urgent care services. Walk-ins are welcome.
FAQs About Pediatric After-Hours Care in Newnan, GA
When should I use pediatric after-hours care instead of the ER?
Pediatric after-hours care is usually appropriate when your child needs medical attention soon but does not appear to be in a life-threatening situation. Examples may include fever, ear pain, sore throat, mild rash, minor burns, insect bites, vomiting, diarrhea without dehydration, or cold and flu symptoms.
Does After Hours by Children’s Clinic require an appointment?
No. After Hours by Children’s Clinic does not require appointments. Families can walk in and will be seen as quickly as possible.
Is After Hours by Children’s Clinic a replacement for my child’s pediatrician?
No. After Hours by Children’s Clinic does not replace your child’s pediatrician. It provides care at night and on weekends when your pediatrician’s office is closed. After your child is treated, your pediatrician will be informed so they can provide any needed follow-up care.
Can Children’s Clinic help if my child is sick during regular office hours?
Yes. Children’s Clinic offers same-day sick appointments. Call 770-253-0170 to schedule your child’s appointment.
When should I take my child directly to the emergency room?
Take your child to the ER if they are having trouble breathing, are unresponsive, have uncontrolled bleeding, have a severe allergic reaction, experience a serious head injury, have a seizure, or show any symptom that could be life-threatening.
Should I call 911 or drive my child to the ER?
Call 911 if your child’s condition seems life-threatening, if they are having severe trouble breathing, if they are unconscious, or if you cannot safely transport them yourself.
What if I am not sure where to go?
If you are unsure, trust your instincts. For serious or potentially life-threatening symptoms, go to the ER or call 911. For non-emergency pediatric concerns during regular hours, call Children’s Clinic. For non-emergency concerns after regular office hours, After Hours by Children’s Clinic may be an appropriate option.
Pediatric Care When Your Family Needs It
Illnesses and injuries do not always happen at convenient times. Children’s Clinic helps families in Newnan access pediatric care during regular office hours, and After Hours by Children’s Clinic provides an additional option for non-emergency care at night and on weekends.
For same-day sick appointments at Children’s Clinic, call 770-253-0170.
For after-hours urgent care services, call After Hours by Children’s Clinic at 678-477-6904.