What to Expect at Your First Appointment at the Infectious Diseases Program
It can be scary when your child has an acute or chronic infectious disease. Our team of caring, compassionate experts in the Infectious Disease Program is here to help you and your child with managing recurrent infections. This page can help answer any questions you have about your child’s first outpatient clinic appointment with us. We look forward to partnering with you!
Making an Appointment
If your child needs an outpatient clinic appointment with the Infectious Disease Program, their pediatrician or another physician will give you a referral. You can also contact us to schedule an appointment.
Before your visit, an administrative assistant from our office will request your child’s records, including symptoms, health history and any previous treatments. One of our providers will review those records to see if our program is the best fit for their treatment. If not, we will call you to direct you to another office.
After Making the Appointment
Our team will contact your child’s doctor for any medical records and test results. You won’t need to prepare or fill out any forms. If we are missing any necessary information, we will call you; otherwise, you will register upon arriving for your appointment.
On the Day of the Visit
We understand that an infectious disease diagnosis can be confusing and frightening. You’re worried and want answers. Our clinic is designed to put you and your child at ease. We have art on the walls and TVs available to distract you and your child from any nervousness.
During your appointment, our multi-disciplinary team of nurses and doctors provides extensive education about your child’s condition. We are here to answer all your questions and provide reassurances about treatment options. In addition, our social workers and Child Life specialists are available to help in personal, as well as via telehealth services within the Tri-State area.
Before Arriving at the Clinic
Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. Allow an additional 10 to 15 minutes for parking and walking to our clinic. If you’re running late, please call to let us know.
For your first appointment, you will need to bring your insurance card and any records or scans that haven’t already been sent to us. Upon arrival, please make your way to the registration desk on C2 at our Base location, or to the third floor at our Liberty location.
At the Appointment
Your first appointment will last roughly one hour. During this time, for new patients, we will discuss your child’s history and work toward a diagnosis and treatment plan. For our follow-up patients, we will review any labs, as well as assess your child’s progress and adherence to antibiotics.
During your time with us, your child will meet with several team members, including a nurse, fellow and attending physician. Your visit will include:
- Health history
- Physical exam
- Meeting with physicians
- Test result review
At the end of your appointment, we will answer all your questions and schedule a follow-up visit if needed. You will receive a printed after-visit (discharge) summary that explains what happened during your visit and includes any instructions about your child’s care. The summary will also be included in your MyChart and will be sent to your child’s referring provider.
After the Appointment
After your appointment, we will call you within a few days to confirm your child’s treatment plan, including any modifications based on new test results.
We will schedule a follow-up appointment within one to three months to assess your child’s treatment, recommend a plan for their pediatrician or primary care physician to manage or follow, and make any necessary referrals to specialists.
If you need to contact us between appointments, please call the clinic or reach out to us via MyChart.
When to Call
Your after-visit summary will include instructions about when you should seek care in the emergency department. Please contact us any time you have questions or concerns. We are here to help!
