Tuesday, January 29, 2013

New hospital follow-up schedule

     Doctors are creatures of habit. We get used to doing things a certain way. Here at Hilliard Pediatrics, we have had the same follow-up schedule for newborns since we opened over 20 years ago. But now we are changing this schedule. Our new partner, Dr. Beth, has convinced us it is time to update to the latest recommended schedule by the American Academy of Pediatrics. And we have listened.
     For years, we had the infant's family call us the day after discharge and routinely saw the infant in the office at 2 weeks (10-14 days of age) and then at 2 months of age. The latest recommendation and our new policy is to have you call when you have spent a night at home to give us an update about how the infant is doing. Then we will routinely see the infants 2-3 days after discharge from the hospital. Our next routine appointment will be at 4 weeks (one month) of age. Then we will see the infants at 2 months of age and continue our normal schedule after that 2 month well-check. As always, we will be happy to see those infants with feeding or weight concerns, jaundice concerns, or when other issues arise. Some of the infants seen 2-3 days after discharge will need a visit to check their weight gain. Call with questions!