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Pediatrics at South Central
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The pediatric and adolescent unit at South Central Regional Medical Center offers many activities and materials that children enjoy at home, such as video games, books, and coloring books. Time is planned for homework for school-age patients who are hospitalized for an extended period of time.
The pediatric unit at South Central has provided special care for pediatric and adolescent patients for years. The nursing staff has well over 50 years of combined pediatric experience.
James Holston, MD, a pediatrician with Laurel Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic, says, "The Kid's Place provides a cheerful and interesting environment for our pediatric and adolescent patients."
Vicki Walters, Director of Maternal Child Services at South Central, says, "We designed the unit to provide a secure, warm environment for our patients."
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Well Doll Clinic
In an effort to help children understand some of the things that
take place when a child is a patient in the hospital, The Kid's
Place hosts the Well Doll Clinic annually. Children from pre-K
to first grade from area schools are invited to the four-day
clinic. In its 13th year, an average of 1,000 children visit
the clinic annually.
The children are instructed to bring their favorite doll or stuffed animal for a checkup. Pediatric nurses from The Kid's Place demonstrate how equipment used in the unit works, the children are allowed to touch and feel the equipment. They see a cartoon video about a stay in the hospital, are given a talk on good hygiene, and talked with about safety in the home. At the end of the session, each child goes through a mock admission. Nurses take the doll/animal's name, height, weight, blood pressure, and temperature, and then they give each child a goody bag complete with a doctor or nurse's cap.
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Laurel Pediatric and Adolescent
Clinic
Laurel Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic became a division of South
Central Regional Medical Center on June 28. The clinic is staffed
by three board-certified pediatricians: Bert Bradford, MD, Christine
Chard, MD, and James Holston, MD, and Nurse Practitioner Tomia
Boot. The clinic is located at 234 South 12th Avenue in Laurel
and can be reached at 649-3520. The operations of the clinic
will not change. Hours are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday and Saturday mornings.
Holston Addresses Important Health Care Issues
Appropriate Use of Antibiotics
in Children
"The significant worldwide increase in antibiotic-resistant
bacteria has made it imperative that we only use antibiotics
when properly indicated. Antibiotics are among the most important
drugs available in our society. We, as physicians, together with
parents, must become more responsible in using antibiotics wisely,"
states Dr. Holston.
Each time a child takes an antibiotic, sensitive bacteria are killed, and resistant ones are left behind to grow and multiply. Repeated use of antibiotics is one of the main causes for the increase in resistant bacteria. These resistant bacteria can be spread to others in the family and to the community.
Facts you should be aware of are:
- the majority of childhood infections are caused by viruses and do not require antibiotic treatment
- antibiotics should not be used for sore throats that are not "strep throats" for colds or for runny noses
- a change in the color of a runny nose from clear to yellow or green is not a reason by itself to use antibiotics
- there is good evidence that many ear infections will resolve spontaneously without antibiotic treatment.
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Understanding Fever in
Children
Fever is the body's normal and healthy reaction to infection
and other illnesses, both minor and serious. Most fevers help
the body fight infection. Fever is a symptom, not a disease.
In most cases, fever means your child has a minor illness. Often
you must look at your child's other symptoms to determine how
serious the illness is. Most infections with a fever are caused
by viruses.
The average normal body temperature is 98.6°F. Every individual child has a normal temperature range that may be different from other children. Mild increases can be caused by wearing too many clothes, taking a hot bath, or being out in hot weather. A child has an illness-related fever when his or her temperature is 100.4°F or higher.
Dr. Holston says, "Most children with a fever will be fussy, play less, and may not eat as much as usual. High fevers are not comfortable, but they rarely cause serious problems. The degree of fever may not indicate how serious the illness is. With a minor illness, such as a cold, a child may have a temperature of 104°F. A very serious infection may cause little or no fever. It is important to look for other symptoms along with the fever. A fever without other symptoms that lasts three to four days, comes and goes, and gradually reduces over time is usually not a cause for concern."
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Children tend to run higher fevers than adults. There is no medical evidence that fevers from infection can cause brain damage. The body limits a fever caused by infection from going above 106°F. However, when the body's temperature goes up because of heat—such as from being in the car parked in the sun—the temperature of the body can go above 107°F and brain damage can occur.
If you have any questions about antibiotic use or fever management, contact your physician.