In December, St. Louis Children’s Hospital will open its first convenient care location at 12436 Tesson Ferry Road in South St. Louis County. St. Louis Children’s After Hours™ is the only non-emergency, lower-acuity care center of its kind in the area, designed and staffed specifically for pediatric patients. It is the first of several conveniently located centers that will open in coming months.

“Families will have access to facilities that offer high-quality, kid-focused care provided by those experienced in treating children and adolescents,” says Cheryl Grave, RN, CNP, manager of the After Hours program. “Because these close-to-home centers will provide services when most pediatrician offices are closed, we have established a seamless process by which we will follow up closely with primary care physicians. If needed, we also will help schedule follow-up appointments at Children’s Hospital. Our goal is to support pediatricians’ practice and role as a medical home for their patients.”

A nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse and radiology technician will staff the center from 5 p.m. to midnight Monday through Friday; and noon to midnight Saturday and Sunday. Limited radiology and laboratory services are available as well as select holiday hours.

“A real advantage for families is that our centers will have less expensive co-pays than urgent care centers, retail clinics or emergency room visits. Billing will be the same as if they are visiting a primary care provider,” says Grave.

For additional information, call Children’s Direct at 800.678.HELP (4357) or listen to a podcast by Elizabeth Schickler, After Hours pediatric nurse practitioner, discussing services offered at the facility at StLouisChildrens.org/RadioRounds.