After Hours - A Parent's Guide to Calling the Pediatrician 

At HPP, one of our providers is always on call – 24/7 and 365 days of the year.

Many parents wonder when to call the doc at home or whether to wait until the office opens.

 Calling after hours:

• Please call our office and choose the after-hours doctor on call option.

• Leave a message with your child's name, date of birth, and a brief description of the problem, and the doctor will call you back.

• It is not necessary to call the doctor or to go to the ER if your child is >3 months of age and has a fever at night, unless there are other worrisome symptoms (i.e. difficulty breathing).

• Tylenol and Motrin dosing handouts are given at each well visit and may also be found on our website, Facebook, and Instagram pages!

• Please do not call the doctor on call for Tylenol/Motrin dosing or medication refills (unless it’s an emergency medication such as Albuterol, EpiPen, or seizure medication).

• Please do not call the doctor after hours to request an appointment.

Calling during business hours:

• For an appointment, speak to the receptionist to schedule the appointment.

• If you need urgent medical advice or are not certain if your child needs to be seen - please ask to speak to the nurse. She may be able to help with the problem or get guidance from the doctor within a few minutes if necessary.

• If you believe your child has a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

When speaking with the nurse or doctor:

• Tell us what symptoms concern you.

• Remind us about: any allergies, chronic illnesses, or if your child is NOT immunized.

• Remind us if your child has started a new medication or treatment.

Give the following information every time you call:

• Your name and phone number

•Your child’s name and age

•Your child’s symptoms and urgency of the call

Worrisome symptoms that would warrant a call:

• Difficulty breathing, stridor, or wheezing

• Not making wet diapers or decreased urine output (going 8 hours without urine)

• Unarousable/lethargic (and it’s not naptime/bedtime) or limp/unresponsive

• Possible seizure that has now resolved

• Hit their head and lost consciousness 

Poison Control Hotline: (800) 222-1222