When you come to our office for the first time, you will be greeted by our Receptionist and also meet our Office Manager. Please feel free to ask questions of either person about our practice. The Nurse or Medical Assistant will then escort you and your child in to an examination room where she or he will ask the reason your child is visiting the provider that day.

Directions to the Offices Northampton Office 193 Locust Street Northampton, MA 01060 413.584.8700 CLICK FOR DIRECTIONS Amherst Office 170 University Drive Amherst, MA 01002 413.587.3224 CLICK FOR DIRECTIONS

The Nurse or Medical Assistant will next take some measurements such as your child's temperature, blood pressure, height and weight. You may be asked to help your child to undress and change into a gown so that the Provider can perform the examination more easily.

Next the Provider will come in to the examination room accompanied by an assistant who is a Professional Scribe. The Scribe will type in answers to additional questions that the Provider may ask as well as type in what is found on your child's physical examination. If you would prefer to see the Provider without the Scribe present please do not hesitate to mention this request.

At the end of your child's examination the Provider may have the Nurse return to the examination room to give medications, administer further tests or shots, etc. Nothing will happen without the Provider or Nurse first explaining what will be done. If you have any questions at any time please do not hesitate to ask about any aspect of your child's health care.

Walk-In Visits
A "walk-in" time is available Monday through Friday at 8:30AM in both the Northampton and Amherst offices. If your child has become ill overnight, you are welcome to use the "walk-in" time the next morning without calling ahead. Please do not use this time for ongoing problems, rechecks, or illnesses which have been present for a few days.

	Schedule of Recommended Vaccinations and Tests Age Procedure (Abbreviation Key Located at Bottom of Table) Birth HepB 2 months [DTaP / IPV / HepB]; HIB; PCV-7 4 months [DTaP / IPV / HepB]; HIB; PCV-7 6 months [DTaP / IPV / HepB]; HIB; PCV-7 12 months Varivax, Anemia & Lead Screening 15 months MMR, HIB, PCV-7 18 months DTaP 2 years Anemia & Lead Screening 3 years Anemia & Lead Screening; Vision Test (annually from age 3 year) 4 years DtaP, IPV; Hearing Test 5 years MMR 12 years /7th Grade TdaP 18 years MCV-4 Abbreviations for Vaccinations Click on Links to Open an Adobe PDF About Each Vaccination DTaP = Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis Vaccine MMR = Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccine HepB = Hepatitis B Vaccine PCV-7 = Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine HIB = Haemophilus Influenzae B Vaccine TdaP = Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis Vaccine IPV = Polio Vaccine Varivax = Chicken Pox Vaccine MCV-4 = Meningococcal Vaccine

Emergencies
You can reach a provider at any time by calling (413) 584-8700. If you need advice after 8PM, your call will be taken by the Pediatric Nurse Call Service. A pediatrician is available for emergencies at all times. Our nursing staff is very capable and can answer many questions about the care of your child. However, if you wish to speak to a provider, let the receptionist know and she will have the provider return your call.

Before you call... it is helpful to be ready to provide the following information: When did your child become ill? What are your child's symptoms? (i.e. vomiting, earache) What is your child's temperature? Birth-1 Year: rectal 1 year- 4 Years: Rectal, axillary or ear thermometer 4 Years and up: Oral, axillary or ear thermometer. Fever strips are not accurate. What have you done so far to relieve your child's discomfort?

After 8PM we share call with the pediatricians at Amherst Pediatrics, and after that time your call will be returned either by one of us or by an Amherst pediatrician.Routine calls and visits should be made during regular office hours. Our office is open Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays for sick visits. There are no weekend walk-in hours.

We are available for emergencies at any time. Please do not hesitate to call if you are concerned about your child. You are, after all, the best judge of your child's condition.

Fever
Fever is one of the body's defense mechanisms against infection. Germs do not live as well in a "hot" body. Children frequently have fever (103°-104°) with viral infections. The temperature will not keep climbing indefinitely and is not harmful to the child. If your child is not comfortable, treat fever above 102° with appropriate doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Be sure to give your child plenty of fluid. If your child is lethargic, regardless of temperature, please give us a call. Also, please call if any fever lasts more than 48 hours, and for any fever over 101° in infants under 4 months of age. Children normally run body temperatures between 97° and 100.4° rectal. These levels should not be considered abnormal.

Colds
All children get colds. Young children in daycare or with siblings in school can get a cold each month. Colds last ten to fourteen days, and include symptoms of runny nose, cough, scratchy throat and blocked ears. Colored mucus is normal during a cold and does not signify a sinus infection. Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. When s/he is resting, lying inclined on an extra pillow and having a humidifier in the room may help.