993 F Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 370
Atlanta, GA 30342
Steven Shore, M.D.
H. Robert Harrison, M.D.
John G. Long, M.D.
Kytia B. Balcarek, M.D.
Estonna Wells-Jarrett, M.D.
Vanna M. Jackson, M.D.
Anitha Leonard, M.D.
Office Phone: 404-252-4611
Monday – Friday
8:00am – Noon & 12:30pm – 5:00pm
Saturday 8:30am – 11:30am
Answering Service: 770-985-7886
Monday – Friday
Noon – 12:30pm
After Hours
Office Fax: 404-256-1759
Welcome! We are very pleased you have chosen us to assist you with your child’s health care. Our goal is to provide you with optimum health care for your child by working with you to prevent disease and accidents, and to treat acute and chronic illnesses.
We are a diverse group of board certified pediatricians who are committed to providing the best pediatric and adolescent care in the Greater Atlanta area.
Our Patient Care Philosophy
We treat each child and adolescent as an individual
We are committed to provide the necessary time to make sure your questions and concerns regarding your child’s health are answered during your visit
We are committed to provide appropriate diagnostic and treatment services during your visit
We are committed to be your medical home, to assist you in coordinating medical services required outside our office
We are committed to provide continuity of care both in the office and in the hospital
We are committed to provide health education
Sandy Springs Pediatrics was established in 1968. We are a group of seven Board Certified Physicians specializing in newborn, child, and adolescent healthcare. We have admitting privileges at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, and Northside Hospital. Our web site www.sspediatrics.com has education information on each physician. Four of our physicians have a subspecialty in pediatric infectious disease.
Appointments are made for all new patients, well checkups and sick visits. The number of available well appointments is determined by the time of year. In the winter there are fewer well appointment times than in the summer. Please make your well appointment as far in advance as possible. Cancellations should be made at least 24 hours in advance in order to allow us to offer your appointment time to other patients needing care. There is a $50 fee if you do not cancel or reschedule your appointment 24 hours in advance. If you are more than 20 minutes late for your well appointment you will be rescheduled to the next available appointment time. Please allow plenty of travel time to accommodate Atlanta traffic.
A parent or legal guardian must accompany all children/teens under the age of 18. The parent/guardian may complete an authorization form for another designated person to seek medical care for their child/children.
1 month 2 months 4 months 6 months
9 months 12 months 15 months 18 months
If your child is ill and needs to been seen, please call for same day appointments Monday through Saturday. Please note your wait time will vary depending on the number of patients being seen and the severity of their illnesses.
Well and non-urgent appointments can be made via MedBuddy (see our webpage for link). All appointments can be made by phone 404-252-4611 option 3 Monday – Friday 8:00a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.–5:00p.m. Please note the scheduling line wait is dependent on the number of incoming calls. There should not be more than a 5-minute wait before your call is transferred to the option to leave a message or return to the call queue. If you return to the call queue your call is put at the back of the line.
Saturday there will be a phone nurse available to triage and schedule appointments for the day at 8:30 a.m. You will be scheduled with the first available time slot and provider. Please be patient as the nurse is helping the patient who called before you.
8:15 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Monday and Friday
8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
In case of life-threatening emergency, please call 911 immediately.
During office hours, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. the nurse line is available for telephone advice and consultation, 404-252-4611 option 2. Please note the advice line wait is dependent on the number of incoming calls. There should not be more than a 5-minute wait before your call is transferred to the option to leave a message or return to the call queue. If you return to the call queue your call is put at the back of the line.
Please have pharmacy phone number, paper and pencil available.
Our nurses are medical assistants, LPNs, or RNs who are trained to handle many common pediatric problems. Please explain briefly the nature of your call so they may correctly address your needs. Phone nurse responses are from “Pediatric Telephone Protocols”, by Barton D. Smith, M.D. or from specific answers given to them by our physicians.
Please give us the following details that we can evaluate your child better:
How long has the child been ill?
Is there any fever? If so, how high, how long it has lasted, and what method was used to take the temperature.
Has the child taken any medication?
Has the child been in contact with anyone such as a family member, a friend or classmate who has become ill?
Are there any symptoms that preceded the present illness which are now present? (i.e., vomiting, diarrhea, runny nose, complaints of pain in some specific location, increased or decreased frequency of urination, discolored urine, changes in eating habits, etc.)
Does the child have a history of chronic conditions? (i.e., asthma, seizures, reflux, etc.)
In many cases our phone nurse will take down the information and one of our providers will call you back. Many times the provider will write down instructions and the phone nurse will call you back. The providers answer messages between patients, during lunch, or at the end of the day. The most seriously ill cases will be handled first. Please allow 3 hours for a return phone call.
When leaving a message for the phone nurse please speak slowly and clearly, leave your name, your child’s name (please spell their first and last name) and date of birth, phone number where you may be reached and a brief message specifying your reason for calling. Please allow 3 hours for a return phone call.
Prescription refills should be requested in the morning. There is a $25 fee for after hours refill requests. Please allow 24 hours for return phone call.
We believe that a physical examination in our office is an essential part of providing quality pediatric care. For your child’s well being, we cannot diagnose or treat new illnesses over the phone.
Keep in mind that Monday mornings are the busiest phone times. You may leave a message on the phone nurse’s line and your call will be returned as soon as possible. Messages left after 4:30pm will be returned the next business day.
After hours calls should be limited to problems of an acute nature, which require attention before the office reopens. For urgent problems after hours, please call our answering service at 770-985-7886. They will route your call to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Nurse Advice Line. If the nurse feels a physician should be notified she will have the service beep our on-call physician. Please do not ask the answering service to page the physician on call before speaking with the CHOA nurse. If you have privacy director or any kind of call block these must be inactivated for us to return your call. Please keep your line open for the physician’s return call. If you have not received a return call within one hour of your call, please call back. Please try to call during office hours if possible.
We generally use Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite Emergency Room for children who must be seen after hours. We prefer that you use CHOA emergency department. Urgent care centers should only be used for minor problems.
If your insurance requires authorization for an emergency room visit, it is your responsibility to contact our Referral Coordinator (ext 335) the following business day.
To avoid misdiagnosis and to ensure your child’s safety it is office policy not to call in antibiotic prescriptions for patients who have not been recently seen.
For patients who do not appear to be responding to prescribed medications and for all routine prescription refills, we request that you call during normal business hours when charts are available for our review, care is optimized, and errors avoided. There is a $25.00 fee for prescriptions called in to a pharmacy when the office is closed. You may request routine refills through MedBuddy as well. You may register your child with MedBuddy through a link on our website, www.sspediatrics.com.
We accept CASH, CHECKS, VISA OR MASTERCARD – Note: we use TeleCheck for processing checks and will need your phone number and drivers license.
Payment is due at the time of service:
Present your insurance card at check-in to ensure we have the correct insurance on file. It is your responsibility to inform the front office of any changes in your insurance, address, or phone numbers. It is your responsibility to know your insurance coverage and if our provider is a contracted provider. Let us know if there are any questions of coverage or problems with one of our providers not being listed as a contracted provider prior to your child being seen.
If Sandy Springs Pediatrics has a contract with your insurance company, you will be expected to pay 1) deductible, 2) your percentage of charges, or 3) copay listed on insurance card, and non-covered services. The billing department will file the claim with your insurance.
If your insurance requires you to choose a PCP (Primary Care Physician) and we are not listed on your child’s insurance card, you will be required to pay for the visit at time of service.
If Sandy Springs Pediatrics does not have a contract with your insurance company, you will be required to pay the visit in full at time of service. We will file the claim for you as a courtesy on an unassigned basis or you may file the claim yourself with a copy of the charge slip given to you at checkout.
Patients who have no insurance will be required to pay for the visit in full at time of service.
The person who brings the child into the office is required to pay any of the above when services are rendered. If through a divorce another party is responsible for the bill it will be your responsibility to obtain reimbursement from that party.
Medical records are the property of Sandy Springs Pediatrics.
All medical records are retained until your child turns 26. Patient records are kept at an off-site facility if it has been more than 2 – 3 years since being seen in our office or if records have been transferred to another practice.
Medical record requests must be made in writing with the legal guardian’s signature authorizing release of the records. If the child is over the age of 18, they must request the records. When requesting records, please give child/children’s names, dates of birth, parents’ names and the approximate year they were last seen in our office.
Smart Corporation copies all records. They scan records once a week for our office. There is a per page charge depending on the number of pages. Smart Corporation will bill you direct.
Our fees are reviewed and updated on a yearly basis.
Office visit charges are based on severity of illness; records/labs ordered and/or reviewed, examination, time spent both with patient and reviewing records, and counseling time with parent and/or child.
We are here to serve you and your family. If you have a complaint or suggestion regarding service, personnel, or fees, please let us know. Please help us help you.
Pediatric Dosage Chart for Drops, Syrup and Chewables
|
|
Dosage |
||||
|
Age |
Weight |
Drops |
Syrup |
Chewables 80 MG |
Chewables 160 MG |
|
Under 3 months |
Under 12 lbs |
½ dropper |
¼ tsp |
- |
- |
|
3 – 9 months |
12 – 17 lbs |
1 dropper |
½ tsp |
- |
- |
|
10 – 24 months |
18 –23 lbs |
1 ½ dropper |
¾ tsp |
- |
- |
|
2 – 3 years |
24 –35 lbs |
2 droppers |
1 tsp |
2 tablets |
- |
|
4 – 5 years |
36 –47 lbs |
3 droppers |
1 ½ tsp |
3 tablets |
1 ½ tablets |
|
6 – 8 years |
48 – 59 lbs |
- |
2 tsp |
4 tablets |
2 tablets |
|
9 – 10 years |
60 – 71 lbs |
- |
2 ½ tsp |
5 tablets |
2 ½ tablets |
|
11 years |
72 – 95 lbs |
- |
3 tsp |
6 tablets |
3 tablets |
|
12 years & older |
96 lbs & over |
- |
3 – 4 tsp |
6 – 8 tablets |
3 - 4 tablets |
How supplied:
Drops: Each 0.8 ml dropper contains 80 mg acetaminophen
Syrup: Each 5 ml teaspoon contains 160mg acetaminophen
Chewables: Regular tablets contain 80 mg acetaminophen each. Double strength tables contain 160 mg acetaminophen each.
Dosage may be given every 4 hours as needed but not more than 5 times daily. If your child is over 6 months of age, you may give ibuprofen every 6 to 8 hours for fever/discomfort uncontrolled by acetaminophen (see table below).
|
|
Dosage |
||||
|
Age |
Weight |
Oral Drops 50 mg/1.25 ml |
Suspension 100 mg/5 ml |
Chewables 50 MG |
Chewables 100 MG |
|
6 – 11 months |
12 – 17 lbs |
1 dropper |
½ tsp |
- |
- |
|
12 – 23 months |
18 –23 lbs |
1 ½ dropper |
¾ tsp |
1 ½ tablets |
½ tablet |
|
2 – 3 years |
24 –35 lbs |
2 droppers |
1 tsp |
2 tablets |
1 tablet |
|
4 – 5 years |
36 –47 lbs |
- |
1 ½ tsp |
3 tablets |
1 ½ tablet |
|
6 – 8 years |
48 – 59 lbs |
- |
2 tsp |
4 tablets |
2 tablets |
|
9 – 10 years |
60 – 71 lbs |
- |
2 ½ tsp |
5 tablets |
2 ½ tablets |
|
11 years |
72 – 89 lbs |
- |
3 tsp |
6 tablets |
3 tablets |
|
12 years & older |
90 lbs & over |
- |
4 tsp |
8 tablets |
4 tablets |
It is imperative and a State Law that all children three years and younger remain in an infant car seat and a booster seat until 6 years old.
Never leave a baby or young child unattended in bath water or on a surface, which he could roll off and fall to the floor. See that your young child never plays with the toilet; keep seat cover down.
Be careful of sunburns, bathwater burns, hot coffee or tea burns, cigarette burns, and burns from cooking food.
All medicine, plants, cleaning agents, and fluids should be put up and away from children (and preferably locked)
Syrup of Ipecac is no longer recommended. Call Poison Control, 404-616-9000.
Babies are most comfortable in moderate temperature, greater than 68 degrees in the winter and reasonable cool temperatures in the summer. Do not overdress. Hands and feet tend to be cool as a rule.
During warm weather infants should be dressed as you would dress yourself for comfort. During cold weather cover baby’s head with a hat and dress your baby in a similar fashion as you would dress for warmth.
The baby’s cord should fall off between one and three weeks of age. Before this occurs clean the cord with alcohol two or three times per day. Do not be alarmed if the cord bleeds a bit or oozes. If the bleeding is excessive or persistent, or if there is a foul odor, please contact our office.
The circumcised area will initially appear red and swollen. It should gradually heal in two weeks. Apply Vaseline several times a day to reduce the irritation. This is not necessary if your baby has a plastic bell applied.
Initially bathe your baby by sponging with water. Once the cord has fallen off, you may bathe your baby in an infant tub. Only a little soap is needed.
Wash the hair occasionally with shampoo. Do not be afraid of the soft spot. Dry your baby with a towel. Powder is not necessary.
Infant stools come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors. The stools will vary in color from green to brown to yellow, and in consistency from loose to mushy to formed, and in frequency from 6 a day to one every 48 hours. Breast fed babies tend to have looser stools than formula fed babies.
To help prevent diaper rash, use Desitin®, Vaseline®, or A&D® ointment to the diaper area.
Feeding time is a very special time for parent and child as this allows bonding, the sharing of love, and the development of security. Mother should find a comfortable place with little noise and distraction. The mother should be relaxed, and the infant should be warm and dry.
A breast fed baby will nurse for approximately 5–7 minutes per breast during the first 3 days of life. As your milk comes in, gradually increase the nursing time to 10–15 minutes per breast. At least one breast should be emptied with each feeding. A complete feeding generally lasts 20–30 minutes. Newborn infants may nurse every 2–4 hours; older infants may go longer between feedings, especially when sleeping at night. Supplementary bottle or solid food should be unnecessary; however, sterile water may be offered after breast-feeding during the first few days.
If you are planning on leaving your baby for a day out or an evening out, expressed breast milk or Similac® Advance may be used. Similac® Advance for breastfeeding supplementation is available in 8 oz. Ready to Feed cans, or powder form.
We encourage our mothers to breast feed their babies. However, if this does not work for you, you may use Similac Advance. Similac Advance comes in various forms for your convenience (i.e. 32 oz., and 8 oz. Ready to Feed cans, 13 oz. concentrate or 1 lb. Powder). Use plastic or glass bottles or Playtex plastic liners. All useable bottles and nipples should be cleaned in the dishwasher or with hot water and soap.
Most newborn infants will take approximately 2 ounces per feeding and gradually increase to 6-8 ounces reaching a maximum of 32–36 ounces per day. Warm the Similac Advance to approximately body temperature.
Never prop a bottle and leave your baby alone to eat. Never allow your infant to sleep with a bottle as this could cause choking and, later, tooth decay.
Burping helps to remove swallowed air. To accomplish this hold your baby upright with the head over your shoulder. Then apply a few pats on the back. If you fail to procure a burp, then continue to feed. Do not be alarmed if the infant spits a little with burping. Remember to burp several times during the feeding and again when feeding is completed.
Generally, solid foods are not introduced until 4–6 months of age; however, do not start these until discussed with your physician.
Babies fed exclusively breast milk need a vitamin D supplement after 2 months of age and a fluoride supplement after 6 months. Your physician will prescribe these. Formula fed babies generally don’t need vitamins unless specified by your doctor.
If you (or anyone in your household) smoke, please remember not to smoke indoors. Do not even bring the baby in a room where there has been smoking for the last 10–15 minutes. Studies have conclusively shown that babies who live in households where there is smoking have a statistically higher incidence of upper respiratory infections, asthma, ear infections, meningitis, and have a higher rater of hospitalizations than babies living with non-smoking families. If you smoke, let your baby be the one to help you stop this dangerous habit.
Birth Hep B
2 months DTaP/Hib/IVP, HepB Pneumo 7, Rotavirus
4 months DTaP/Hib/IVP, HepB Pneumo 7, Rotavirus
6 months DTaP/Hib/IVP, HepB Pneumo 7, Rotavirus, (Hib)*
6 months to 18 years Influenza Vaccine (October – March)
9 months (catch-up any missed vaccines)
12 months Hib, Pneumo 7, Hep A
15 months MMR, DTaP, Varicella
18 months Hepatitis A
4 years IPV, MMR, DTaP, Varicella
11 years Tdap, menigitis, HPV #1,2,3 (females only)
12-18 years Catch-up any vaccines missed from above schedule
Influenza Vaccine is recommended for all children 6 months to 18 years. Also, any person with a chronic illness such as asthma, diabetes, immune deficiency should be vaccinated. Healthy persons 2 to 49 years old may be given the nasal influenza vaccine instead of the injection.
Individuals and anyone wanting to reduce the risk of infection.