Is Urgent Care for Kids Too? Yes! (Plus Five Reasons Moms Prefer It to the ER.)

Moms, dads and caregivers work hard every day to keep their kids happy, healthy and safe. They also rely on services like urgent care and the emergency room when their children get hurt or become ill unexpectedly. While the pediatrician’s office should always be the first line of defense, sometimes it just isn’t an option, like during weekends or after regular business hours.

If your child has a life-threatening injury or illness, the physicians at Pomona Valley Health Centers urge you to go to the nearest emergency room. However, for parents who have a child with a sore throat, fever, earache, diarrhea, or mild to moderate injuries, it’s best to go to the closest urgent care instead.

The Pomona Valley Urgent Care Centers in Chino Hills, Claremont and La Verne are available to children of all ages.

Moms prefer urgent care to the emergency room

Here are five reasons more moms are choosing urgent care centers over emergency rooms:

1. Germs, bacteria and viruses
   Emergency rooms are known for drawing a crowd of injured or unwell people—and their germs. This means you and your little one could be unnecessarily exposed to a lot of communicable diseases. Unless your child is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, opt for a nearby urgent care facility instead.
2. Shorter wait times
   The average emergency room patient wait time 4 hours, whereas urgent care facilities are able to see walk-in patients within 15-45 minutes. If you’re looking for fast, efficient and effective care, try urgent care first.
3. Lower prices
   The average emergency room visit costs more than $1,300, whereas urgent care visits are a fraction of the cost at $70 to $125, depending on your insurance. Save yourself high out-of-pocket costs by opting for urgent care instead.
4. Convenience

In the United States there about twice as many urgent care facilities as emergency rooms. If you’re looking for quality care that’s also close-to-home, you’re more likely to find it at an urgent care center.

5. Less intimidating
   Emergency rooms can be busy, loud and sometimes scary places for children. Visiting an urgent care center is often calmer and may feel more like a visit to the doctor’s office.

Pomona Valley Health Centers offers safe, effective—and fast—urgent care for kids in Claremont. Walk-in or call 909-536-1493.