Partners in Pediatrics

We are Partners in Pediatrics Ltd, a pediatrics-only clinics serving the Twin Cities. We encourage long term commitment between patient and provider. As your child grows and matures, we will actively involve him or her health care decisions.

We encourage long term commitments between patients and providers. As your children grow and mature, we will actively involve them in their health care decisions.



	First Aid Accidents do happen and unexpected events do occur, despite your best efforts to be an alert and conscientious parent. This section covers some basic first aid measures to help you cope with everyday, common mishaps. You will be able to manage accidents and common mishaps best by being prepared. Every family should have a first aid kit stocked with items such as: • Tylenol • Adhesive tape • Antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin • Gauze bandages of various sizes • Elastic or ace bandages also of various sizes • Hydrogen peroxide • Tweezers to remove splinters • Non-stick Telfa pads • Scissors • Thermometer The first aid kit should be kept in an easy to find location, in a well marked box out of the reach of children. An identical kit should be kept in each car. It is helpful to keep emergency numbers listed on a 3"x5" card kept inside of each kit. The numbers should include your pediatrician’s number, the nearest emergency room, Poison Control’s number, the local emergency services number and your pharmacy number. These numbers should also be listed near your phones at home and an additional copy should be in your diaper bag. Many minor injuries do not need medical help. With your first aid kit you will be able to calmly manage many of the following: Burns If on a hand or a foot, immediately immerse in cool or iced water. If on the trunk or face, apply cool compresses. Do this until the pain is relieved, usually in less than 20 minutes. Do not use butter, oil, Vaseline or creams. They may contaminate the burn and will slow the healing process. After soaking, gently pat the burned area dry and cover with a non-stick bandage. Antibiotic creams are usually not necessary. Notify our office if: • There are burns on the face, hands, feet or genitals. • The burn involves a child less than one year. • Pain from a burn lasts longer than 48 hours. • The burned area seems large or deep. Cuts Wash with clear water and soap, then hold under running water to flush out dirt and foreign matter. This is the most important step. Dry with a soft, clean, lint-free cloth and then apply a sterile non-stick band-aid. The band-aid should be removed shortly after bleeding has stopped to allow air to the wound. Check with your health care provider about any cuts that are gaping open, are on the face, don’t easily stop bleeding, or cause you concern. Scrapes and abrasions. These are usually on the knees and elbows. Clean the area gently with sterile gauze or a clean washcloth, using soap and water to remove dirt and foreign matter. Soaking the area in the bathtub is a good alternative if cooperation in a younger child is difficult to obtain. If bleeding continues after the cleaning, apply slight pressure and cover with a sterile non-stick band-aid. As with cuts, remove the band-aid when bleeding has stopped. Let nature’s band-aid (a scab) form and allow the air to dry the wound. Continue daily cleansing and leave open to air if possible. Cover those wounds which are oozing, or if the area is likely to be re-injured. Puncture wounds. These are caused by nails,pins, tacks, or other sharp objects. Let it bleed as much as possible to carry dirt and foreign material to the outside, since you can’t clean the inside of a puncture wound. Then wash the wound thoroughly with soap and very warm water, and check as closely as possible for any remaining foreign material. Soak the wound several times daily for the next four to five days to keep the puncture wound open so that debris, germs and remnants of foreign material can drain out. Object in the eye If you can see the object, wash your hands and use a moist cotton swab to gently remove it from the baby’s eye. You can also try to wash the object out with cool water poured into the eye while someone holds the baby still. If this is unsuccessful, try pulling the upper lid down over the lower for a few seconds. If after these attempts you can still see the object in the eye or if the baby seems uncomfortable, proceed to the doctor’s office or ER since the object may become embedded or may have scratched the eye. Don’t try to remove an imbedded object yourself. Cover the eye with a sterile gauze pad taped loosely in place or with a few clean tissues or clean handkerchief to alleviate some of the discomfort in route.		Nosebleeds Keep baby in an upright position or leaning slightly forward. Pinch both nostrils gently between your thumb and index fingers for five to ten minutes. Try to calm the baby, as crying will increase the blood flow. If bleeding persists, try a cold compress. If this doesn’t work, call our office. Frequent nosebleeds, even if easily stopped, should be discussed. Head injury Many head bumps are minor in nature and occur when babies or toddlers walk into coffee tables or fall off the couch. Other head injuries caused by skateboard, bike or in-line skating accidents can be prevented by parents requiring their children to wear helmets and other protective gear when they are involved in these activities. Apply ice to the bruised area immediately though a goose-egg may form anyway. The child may vomit once, complain of a headache and even want to sleep. They may be quieter than usual or may be more clingy. This would not be unusual and in all likelihood your child will be themselves in a matter of hours. Call our office if: • Someone is knocked unconscious. • Your child cannot remember the injury. • A seizure occurs. • Bleeding occurs from nose, ears or mouth. • Black eyes or bruising behind the ears occurs. • Behavior changes. • Vomiting occurs more than twice. • Fluid drains from the nose. • There is irregular breathing or heartbeats. • Your child is unable to walk steadily. Insect bites/stings Most reactions are minor and localized. Wash the area and apply something cold either ice or cold packs. If a bee’s stinger can be seen, scrape if off with the blunt edge of a knife or with a fingernail rather than trying to remove it with tweezers, which generally releases more venom in the wound. Consult a health care provider immediately if the following problems occur: • Wheezing. • Difficulty breathing. • Fainting. • Swelling around the eyes or mouth. • Hives or skin rash. • Abdominal pain. Ticks. Use a tweezer to remove the imbedded head, grasping the bug as close to the child’s skin as possible. Pull steadily upward and evenly, trying not to kill the tick before getting it out. If the mouth and pincers remain under the skin, soak gently with warm water twice daily. It may take several weeks to heal completely. Deer tick. This tick may cause Lyme disease. It is very tiny (about as large as the head of a pin). If you find such a tick on your child, save it for identification. Notify your health care provider if fever, rash or headache occur within three weeks. Ticks must be imbedded for 24 hours before Lyme disease is transmitted. By frequently checking your child’s body and hair, you are likely to find ticks before they become imbedded. Animal Bites Treat the wound by washing gently and thoroughly with soap and water. The bite may appear like a cut or a puncture wound. Be sure you know when your child’s last tetanus shot was given. Bites to the face and hands should be evaluated by a health care provider. Check if the the animal that bit was vaccinated against rabies. Bites from pets should be reported to the local police. If the bite was from a wild animal or an unfamiliar domestic animal such as a dog or cat, rabies needs to be considered. Animals which attack and bite without provocation may have rabies. Skunks, bats, raccoons and foxes are the main carriers of rabies. Rabies in rabbits and rodents such as chipmunks, squirrels and mice is extremely rare. Consult your health care provider as soon as possible if you are in doubt about what to do. Poisoning Poison Control’s number for Hennepin County is 1-800-222-1222. Have it posted near your phone and in any emergency call them and carefully follow their instructions. Syrup of ipecac is no longer recommended.