Broken Bones
Broken bones, or “fractures”, are very common among young children. We are able to evaluate your child and can consult an orthopedist if needed. Common signs for a fracture include: extreme pain, difficulty moving or supporting weight with the injured area, swelling and redness, deformity.
“Nursemaid’s elbow” is a common injury among 2 to 4 year olds. It can be fixed by an experienced doctor or nurse practitioner.
Common Questions
A: We provide splinting with fiberglass material or a prefabricated splint to keep your child comfortable until an appointment with an orthopedist who will place the cast.
A: We take x-rays when indicated across the street through our local hospital x-ray department. We can order STAT readings to make the diagnosis quickly and avoid the long wait through the ER. We can sometimes apply a removable splint so you can go home after you get the x-ray and we can call you with the results.
A: We can order emergency head CT scans if needed for severe head trauma. We recommend a visit to a specialist if you need a CT scan for other bodily injuries.
Sprains & Strains
A muscle strain results from overuse or hyperextension. In some cases, the muscle or tendon may actually be torn and the bones may be dislocated. Strains can happen in any muscle, but are more common in your shoulders, neck, hamstring, thigh or lower back. Ankle and finger sprains are the most common sprains we see in children and teens.
Common Questions
A: Come in for a visit if your child has persistent pain that limits their activity of the injured body part, persistent numbness, or movement is difficult.
A: At After Hour Pediatrics, our doctor can often diagnose a sprain versus a fracture by a thorough physical exam, including watching the patient use their injured body parts. We try to avoid x-rays but will order when necessary to diagnose a fracture that needs splinting or casting to prevent further injury.
We are a family-friendly children’s urgent care and minor emergency center in downtown San Mateo
For over 20 years, we have provided pediatric urgent medical care to babies, children and young adults from San Mateo, Burlingame, Millbrae, San Bruno, San Carlos, Belmont, Redwood City, and Foster City. The clinic is staffed by Board Certified pediatricians, is easy to find, and has parking right outside the door.
Our clinic is open for Urgent Care after hours when your child’s doctor is unavailable. We recommend you make an appointment so we can prepare for your arrival, please fill out all the forms and upload your insurance information. We have a limited number of walk-in spots each night.
Questions & Answers
A: We treat Urgent Care patients from birth to age 26. If we are very busy, we give younger children priority and may ask the young adult to be seen in Adult Urgent Care.
A: You should come to After Hour Pediatrics if your child requires urgent care when your pediatrician or primary care physician’s office is closed. We are a convenient and affordable alternative to the Emergency Room. If the injury or illness is life-threatening, you should go to the nearest hospital.
We are open 365 days a year, Monday-Friday 5pm -10pm and Weekends/Holidays 10am-10pm.
If you are in doubt about whether to come and visit us please call us at 650-579-6581
A: The typical visit requires 30 -60 minutes depending on the services you need. If you need lab tests, breathing treatments or a procedure performed, you may be in the office for longer. During surge of illnesses or patients with emergencies, wait times can be longer.
For Urgent Care, you can “Save a Spot” or drop in. We see walk in patients in the order that they arrive with exceptions for critically ill children or those at high-risk. We do our best to see “Saved Spots” on time, and always leave openings for walk in patients.
- We believe sick or injured children should be seen by a pediatrician. Other urgent care facilities may have pediatric rooms or areas designated for children, but they are not staffed with clinicians who have specialized training in pediatrics.
- We are ideally located in downtown San Mateo, 10 minutes from San Francisco airport.
- We offer free parking right outside our front door.
- We are child friendly, caring, compassionate and gentle.
- We will work with your child’s primary physician, informing them about your visit and ensuring they are fully briefed about your child’s medical situation as soon as possible.
- We are independently run so you can talk to us about financial pressures. We might be able to help.