* New - Patient Portal*
As most of you know, we started using an electronic health record (EHR) system in June 2010. One feature of the EHR is the patient portal. For now, you will be able to use the portal to update your information (address, insurance, etc.), and we will be using the portal to send you appointment reminders as well as other non-urgent information, such as lab results, by e-mail. Eventually the portal will allow you to schedule appointments, request refills, and do many other routine functions. To get more information and create an account, go to https://mycw4.eclinicalweb.com/prim/jsp/login.jsp.
Office Hours
All of our offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. On weekdays the phones will turn on at 8:30 am. We are closed from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm for lunch. Our Laurel office is open on both Saturday and Sunday mornings by appointment only for sick and newborn visits. On Saturday our phones open at 8:00 am and on Sunday at 8:30 am to get advice or to schedule a same-day appointment. We do not have walk-in hours on the weekend.
Scheduling an Appointment
All visits (including weekend sick visits) are by appointment except for weekday early morning walk-in visits (see below). Well child visits are generally scheduled several weeks in advance, and sick visits are usually scheduled the day before or on the same day. We will do our best to accommodate your request for a specific provider. Please make an appointment for each child you wish to be seen.
*Missed appointment fee*
If you are unable to keep an appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so that another patient can be given that time slot. As of December 1, 2010, you will be charged a $25 fee if you miss your child's appointment or cancel less than 24 hours in advance. If you have appointments scheduled for more than one child and they all miss their appointments, you will be charged $25 for each child's missed appointment.
Walk-In Appointments
We have walk-in hours for sick visits in all 3 of our offices Monday through Friday at 8:00 am only. You must be signed in by 8:15 am. We do not have walk-in hours on Saturday, Sunday or holidays (e.g. New Year's day or day after Thanksgiving).
After Hours
One of our physicians is always on call when the office is closed and handles all urgent phone calls from close of business until midnight. If you need urgent medical advice after hours, call our office, leave a message, and the on-call physician will call you back within 20 minutes. If you have not heard back within 20 minutes, please call again.
From midnight to 6 a.m. experienced, trained pediatric advice nurses will respond to your calls. If necessary, they will contact the on-call physician.
If your child is having an emergency, you should always call 911.
Hospital Privileges
Our physicians have privileges at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring. One of our doctors goes to Holy Cross every day of the week to see all newborns who will be patients at our practice as well as any of our patients who are admitted to the pediatric ward.
Severe Weather Conditions
Please note that in case of snow or other severe weather conditions or other emergency, if local schools are opening late or closed, our office may open late or be closed as well. If you have an appointment on a severe weather day, please call ahead to make sure the office is open. If we open late, we will make every effort to accommodate your visit during the hours we are open, and we appreciate your patience and understanding about possibly having to wait an extra few minutes.
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