Introduction
CHKD Pediatric Urgent Care is a specialized medical facility located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It is part of the Chesapeake Regional Health (CHKD) system, which serves the Greater Chesapeake region. The pediatric urgent care center focuses on providing timely, high-quality medical care for children from infancy through adolescence, addressing a broad range of acute health concerns that do not require emergency department treatment.
Opened in the early 2020s, the center is strategically positioned to complement CHKD’s comprehensive primary and specialty care services. It offers a convenient, family-friendly environment designed to accommodate the unique needs of pediatric patients, including child-sized medical equipment and a play area to reduce anxiety during visits.
Location and Facility
Geographic Placement
The pediatric urgent care facility is situated on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and 13th Street in Virginia Beach. The location provides easy access from major interstate highways, including I‑64 and I‑264, and is within walking distance of several residential neighborhoods and schools. Proximity to other CHKD facilities enhances collaborative care opportunities.
Campus Layout
The center occupies a single-story building with an estimated 5,000 square feet of clinical space. The layout includes an outpatient waiting area, two examination rooms, a minor injury treatment bay, an immunization and wellness station, and a dedicated pediatric pharmacy. A separate area for triage and a staff break room are also present. The building’s design incorporates child-friendly décor, soft lighting, and educational displays about health and wellness.
Accessibility Features
Accessibility to individuals with disabilities is prioritized. The facility includes wheelchair ramps, wide doorways, accessible restrooms, and a private room for patients who require additional privacy. Parking includes both general and handicap-accessible spaces, and a stroller-friendly entrance facilitates easy movement for parents and caregivers.
Services and Clinical Programs
Acute Pediatric Care
The primary service line focuses on treating acute illnesses such as fever, upper respiratory infections, ear infections, sore throats, conjunctivitis, and mild gastrointestinal complaints. Minor injuries, including lacerations, sprains, fractures, and burns, are managed on-site, with procedures performed by pediatric-trained clinicians.
Immunization Services
CHKD Pediatric Urgent Care offers a full schedule of routine immunizations for children, including vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, and influenza. The clinic also provides travel-related vaccinations and catch-up immunization plans for patients who are behind schedule.
Screening and Wellness Visits
Regular developmental screening and wellness checks are available for infants and children. Staff conduct growth monitoring, developmental milestone assessments, and preventive health counseling. The center supports screening for common pediatric conditions such as asthma, obesity, and anemia.
Chronic Condition Management Support
For children with chronic conditions - such as asthma, diabetes, and allergies - CHKD Pediatric Urgent Care provides follow-up visits, medication refills, and management guidance. Coordination with CHKD specialty teams ensures continuity of care.
Telehealth Integration
The center employs telehealth options for non-urgent follow-up visits, allowing families to consult clinicians via secure video platforms. This service is especially beneficial for patients residing in rural or underserved areas within the Chesapeake region.
Staff and Expertise
Clinical Personnel
The pediatric urgent care team consists of pediatricians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses. All physicians and advanced practice providers hold board certifications in pediatrics or family medicine with pediatric sub-specialty training. The clinical staff also undergoes periodic continuing education to remain current with pediatric care guidelines.
Support Staff
Administrative personnel manage patient registration, insurance verification, and appointment scheduling. The pharmacy team ensures accurate medication dispensing and provides counseling on drug safety. A child life specialist is available on-site to support emotional well‑being during stressful medical encounters.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
CHKD Pediatric Urgent Care partners with CHKD primary care practices, pediatric specialty clinics, and community health programs. Interdisciplinary case conferences are held monthly to review complex pediatric cases and to formulate integrated care plans.
Equipment and Technology
Diagnostic Tools
Standard diagnostic equipment includes pediatric-sized stethoscopes, otoscopes, thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, and a portable ultrasound machine for quick imaging of soft tissue injuries. A point-of-care laboratory suite provides rapid testing for common infections, including rapid strep tests and flu diagnostics.
Electronic Health Records (EHR)
The center utilizes an advanced EHR system that supports pediatric charting, vaccine tracking, and medication histories. The system is interoperable with CHKD’s central health information exchange, ensuring that patient data is accessible across the health system.
Safety and Infection Control
All equipment is sterilized using hospital-grade protocols. The facility follows stringent infection control guidelines, with dedicated handwashing stations, disposable gloves, and protective eyewear for clinicians. Isolation protocols are in place for patients with contagious conditions.
Patient Experience
Waiting Room Environment
Designed to reduce stress, the waiting area contains child-friendly seating, educational books, and interactive screens displaying healthy lifestyle messages. Parents can monitor their child’s status through an in-room tablet that shows real-time wait times.
Appointment Scheduling and Wait Times
Patients can schedule appointments online or via phone. Same-day visits are available for urgent concerns. Average wait times are monitored and reported to staff to maintain a target of under 30 minutes for most cases.
Family-Centered Care
Clinicians are trained to involve caregivers in decision-making, providing clear explanations of diagnoses, treatment plans, and follow-up instructions. Language services are available for non-English speaking families.
Patient Feedback Mechanisms
Anonymous satisfaction surveys are distributed after visits, with data used to refine service delivery. A patient advisory council meets quarterly to discuss experience improvements.
Insurance and Payment
Accepted Payers
The pediatric urgent care accepts a wide range of insurance plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, commercial health plans, and uninsured patients. The billing department verifies coverage before treatment whenever possible.
Financial Assistance
Families with financial hardship may apply for a financial assistance program that offers reduced copayments or fee waivers based on income documentation.
Billing and Transparency
All charges are itemized on patient statements. The billing team provides detailed explanations of charges and assists with insurance claims. Patients may appeal denied claims through a formal process.
Community Involvement
Health Education Initiatives
CHKD Pediatric Urgent Care hosts monthly health fairs in partnership with local schools, focusing on topics such as nutrition, physical activity, and hand hygiene. The center also offers vaccination clinics during influenza season.
School Health Partnerships
Collaborations with Virginia Beach public schools include on-site health screenings and wellness programs. Teachers and school nurses receive training on early detection of common pediatric illnesses.
Public Health Outreach
During public health emergencies, the center participates in community-wide initiatives such as COVID-19 testing and contact tracing efforts. Staff volunteers in vaccination drives for influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.
Partnerships and Affiliations
CHKD System Integration
As part of the CHKD health system, the pediatric urgent care benefits from shared resources, including access to electronic health records, research collaborations, and shared clinical protocols.
Accreditation Bodies
The facility is accredited by the Joint Commission, ensuring adherence to national standards for quality and safety in pediatric care. It also participates in the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) Pediatric Clinical Quality Measures program.
Academic Collaborations
CHKD Pediatric Urgent Care partners with nearby universities for clinical training opportunities. Medical students and residents rotate through the center as part of their pediatric rotations, enhancing educational opportunities.
Accreditation and Quality Standards
Joint Commission Standards
Compliance with the Joint Commission’s standards for pediatric patient safety includes protocols for medication reconciliation, infection control, and adverse event reporting. The center has maintained continuous accreditation since its opening.
Quality Improvement Initiatives
Quality metrics monitored by the center include time-to-treatment, patient satisfaction scores, and readmission rates for pediatric conditions. Benchmarking against national pediatric urgent care averages informs continuous improvement strategies.
Safety Net Services
The center participates in the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program, which focuses on providing care to underserved populations. This designation underscores the commitment to equitable access.
Patient Education and Resources
Online Health Library
The center offers an online repository of educational materials covering common pediatric illnesses, preventive care, and wellness tips. Resources are written at a 6th-grade reading level to accommodate diverse literacy levels.
Caregiver Support Groups
CHKD Pediatric Urgent Care organizes monthly support groups for parents of children with chronic illnesses such as asthma or diabetes, facilitating peer support and sharing of coping strategies.
Discharge Planning
Upon discharge, clinicians provide written instructions outlining medication schedules, follow-up appointments, and signs of deterioration that warrant return to care. A follow-up call is scheduled within 48 hours to assess patient status.
Future Developments
Facility Expansion Plans
Plans are underway to expand the clinical footprint to include a dedicated behavioral health clinic for pediatric mental health services. This expansion will provide integrated care for children experiencing anxiety, depression, or behavioral challenges.
Technology Integration
Integration of artificial intelligence-driven triage tools is being explored to streamline patient flow and identify high-acuity cases more efficiently. Additionally, the center aims to adopt wearable technology for remote monitoring of chronic conditions.
Research Initiatives
Future research projects include studies on the effectiveness of telehealth interventions in pediatric urgent care settings and the impact of integrated behavioral health services on overall health outcomes for children.
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