center-for-pediatric-and-adolescent-medicine

What to Do When Your Child is Sick

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 22:20:35 GMT

Well, I had really hoped to get back to you long before now, but I ran into a problem, there are so many resources to share with you and your children. I really did not know where to start. But after all the sick children we have recently seen, I thought I would give you some resources about what to do when your child is sick.

As many of you know, I worked in the emergency department for years. It is an amazing place, and we are so fortunate to have such great emergency departments in our area. We have hospitals with designated pediatric sections to their emergency departments and we have an entire children’s hospital with an amazing pediatric emergency department and pediatric trauma center. It is a blessing that many of us take for granted.

The emergency department is where you want to be if your child is having an “emergency” but it’s not the greatest place when your child is “not having an emergency” because emergency departments do not see patients in the order they arrive. They see patients by how sick they are and how dangerous their sickness is to them. They have had years of training to know that and even have specially trained triage nurses who know when your child needs to be seen quickly.

So, the question I want to help you answer is where should I take my child; the emergency department, the urgent care or your pediatric provider’s office?

The first attached resource is “Emergency Symptoms Not to Miss”. We want you to know what is for sure an emergency. This is a resource from Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The second resource is the link to KidsHealth.org a very informative website. It tells you about what to expect at the emergency department.

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/emergency-room.html?ref=search

But as you notice there are a lot of things that we as parents are concerned about that are not on the “Emergency Symptoms Not to Miss”. Like colds, sore throats, earaches, many fevers, and many vomiting and diarrhea episodes. What do we do with those?

CALL OUR OFFICE AND PUSH EXTENSION ONE. We have expanded our front staff and have changed our phone policy so there is almost always someone to answer your call when your child is sick and give you a same day sick visit with one of our providers. You can also reach out to us through your child’s office portal and those messages are checked often throughout the day. If we are closed and you do not feel like you can wait there are multiple urgent care centers in our area.

We want to be here for you and help you walk through your child’s illnesses.

- Julie Kappes

Resource PNP by Julie Kappes

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 11:15:12 GMT

Welcome to my new blog, “Resource PNP” (Resource Pediatric Nurse Practitioner)! Raising children today seems to be extra hard and extra scary. There are so many things to watch out for and so many things to consider as you parent your kids. That is why I am starting “Resource PNP”.

I want to bring you resources you can use in your parenting journey, especially those resources that can help you keep your children safe and healthy, mentally and physically. My name is Julie Kappes, I am a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and a Certified Pediatric Mental Health Specialist. I received my Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky in 1986 and spent 15 years working as an emergency room nurse. I completed my Masters of Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia in 2002 and had the opportunity to start two pediatric programs locally.

In 2011 I did the KySS (Keep yourself Strong and Secure) Mental Health Fellowship: Child and Adolescent through Arizona State University and became certified as a pediatric mental health specialist. I continue to see children of all ages for primary care but the bulk of my practice revolves around meeting the mental health care needs of children and adolescents in our practice.

I have been at the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, CPAM, for a little over a year and yes I am Dr. Kappes’ wife! It has been a pleasure to become part of the CPAM team and to work with Dr. Kappes.

When I am not at the office, I stay busy with our family. We have 6 kids ranging in age from 16 to 36, 7 grandchildren under the age of 9, 2 dogs and a very feisty cat. I love spending time with our grands, reading a good book, watching a good crime show, and going for walks with Dr. Kappes! I am looking so forward to bringing you resources and information that will help you keep your child safe and healthy!

- Julie Kappes

13 Reasons to Sign Up for the Patient Portal

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 16:10:56 GMT

Patient Portals are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as a digital tool in order to support patients better. This is partially due to the rapid improvement of electronic health records (EHRs) in communicating health information, but also due to federal regulations.

Under HIPAA , physicians must provide their patients free access to their electronic health information (EHI or ePHI). The 21st Century Cures Act Final Rule further emphasizes the need for patients to access their PHI easily in order to make thoughtful healthcare decisions.

13 Reasons to Sign Up for the Patient Portal:

Your Patient Portal: Communication. Information. 24/7. Any Time.

1. Ask Your Pediatrician a Question Any Time.

2. Send a Private Message to Your Pediatrician at Any Time.

3. When’s Your Next Appointment? Check Any Time.

4. Forgot What Your Pediatrician Said During Your Kid’s Visit? Check Any Time.

5. Need Immunizations Records for Camp or School? Get Your Kid’s Records Any Time.

6. Lost That Handout? Go Read It Any Time.

7. Forgot Your Kid’s Height and Weight from the Last Visit? Read the Visit Summary Any Time.

8. See Your Child’s Test Results for Labs and Screenings Any Time.

9. See Your Kid’s Care Plan Details All in One Place Any Time.

10. Getting Low on Medications? Request Prescription Refills Any Time.

11. Want to Help Your Teen Take Responsibility for Their Own Healthcare? Set Them Up with Their Own

Account So They Can See Upcoming Appointments and Ask Questions Any Time.

12. Login Once to Review Records and Check Upcoming Appointments for All Siblings Any Time.

13. Send a Summary of Care Record to a Specialist or Other Physician at Any Time.

Call (706) 868-1906 to sign up. Or, Portal users can sign in at: https://westap.pcc.com/portal

PCC, Pediatric EHR Solutions

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 15:24:58 GMT

Here at The Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, we are committed to the health and well-being of your child. In doing so, we understand and appreciate that we need to continually keep up with the latest research and technology.

On July 31st, 2023, we changed our electronic health record (EHR) to PCC, Pediatric EHR Solutions.

PCC is “a software company focused solely on pediatrics, helping pediatricians achieve excellence – with a dedicated team and ongoing client education that prove their commitment every day.” PCC, greatly benefits the healthcare providers, patients, and families by saving time and improving communication between providers and parents or guardians and even patients. One of the best features of PCC for this purpose is the Patient Portal. Signing up for the Patient Portal is easy and free. Contact us today to request a link.