Vanderbilt Children’s After-Hours Clinics have treated 10,000 patients since the first clinic opened its doors on March 25, 2013. Patients and families are able to receive expert pediatric care in their own communities for illness or injuries that occur during the evening or weekend.
Vanderbilt Children’s After-Hours Clinics offer three locations in Hendersonville, Spring Hill and Mt. Juliet. The after-hours clinics allow parents to take their children to get care when their pediatricians’ offices have closed for the day or the weekend. To keep care consistent and current, the child’s regular pediatrician is sent a report about the visit the same evening.
“As we launched our After-Hours Clinic Program 18 months ago, we were confident that bringing our expertise in treating children closer to families was the right choice. As we care for our 10,000th patient, we are excited about how well received our clinics have been in these communities,” said Margaret Rush, M.D., professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Chief of Staff for Children’s Hospital.
“The model is a bit unique in that we have a pediatrician seeing patients. This enables better continuity of care with our community pediatricians and our specialty physicians. We have a great team of doctors and nurses solely committed to this program focused on both quality and efficiency for the care of children.”
Vanderbilt Children’s After-Hours Clinics offer primary care for a wide array of issues including sore throats, ear infections, rashes, skin infections, gastrointestinal illnesses and respiratory problems. Injuries to arms and legs can be evaluated and splinted with coordination of an orthopaedist appointment (next business day) if needed. They will also treat simple wounds, colds, allergies and remove foreign objects.
“The Vanderbilt Children’s After-Hours Clinics are a great service. I took my daughter there when she was sick with strep throat and was really impressed with the facility and the wonderful staff. I could not have asked for a better experience,” said Celena Mullen, R.N., who works at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Vanderbilt Children’s After-Hours Clinics are open seven days a week, including holidays. Care is provided by a board-certified pediatrician from Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. No appointment is necessary, but it is recommended that the child’s pediatrician be called first.
