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Sussex County Pediatrics

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to these frequently asked questions are intended to provide brief information relevant to your child's health. If you would like to speak with us regarding any of these topics, do not hesitate to call us.

All You Need to Know

  • What days are you open?
    Our Newton office is open six days a week, Monday through Saturday. Please note that we have a limited number of well care appointments available on Saturdays. As our daily schedule is subject to change, please call to confirm office hours. 
  • Are you accepting new patients?
    Yes, we welcome new patients.
  • How do we contact the doctor after hours?
    Our medical providers are available 24 hours a day. When you call (973) 383-9841 after hours, your call will be answered by a live operator at our professional answering service. In the event of an emergency, the operator will contact our on-call physician immediately, and the physician will return your call as quickly as possible. For less urgent issues, our service will take a message and you will receive a return call, generally within 24 hours. Please be aware that after-hours calls are intended for urgent medical issues that cannot wait until the next business day. Referral and appointment requests will not be addressed after hours. Calls are typically returned within 15 minutes. Please call back if you have not received a timely response.
  • What do I do in case of emergency?
    If you become concerned about a health-related problem, getting a professional opinion and medical care as soon as possible is the best course of action.
    If you believe the emergency situation is life-threatening, call 911 immediately and arrange for transport to the nearest hospital emergency room.

    In case of emergency, you can reach Advocare Sussex County Pediatric Associates 24 hours a day at (973) 383-9841. After regular office hours, a live operator will contact one of our on-call doctors, who will return your call as quickly as possible.

    If you believe that your child has consumed a poisonous substance, immediately call the NJ Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222, follow their instructions, and then phone 911 to arrange hospital transport if needed. Call us either on the way or when you arrive at the hospital. For more information on poison and how to poison-proof your home, visit theAmerican Association of Poison Control Centers.

    As a parent, it's important to have a well-equipped first-aid kit on hand, and for family members to be familiar with first-aid procedures and care. Basic courses may be available through Newton Memorial Hospital or the local Red Cross. (use hyperlinks on existing Advocare website)

     

  • May I request a specific pediatrician for my visit?
    Every effort is made to arrange your child's well care and follow up visits with the physician of your choice. However, when your child is ill, he or she may see any one of our physicians.
  • How often does my child need to be seen in the office?
    Our routine health maintenance visit schedule follows the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccine guideline for children.
  • My child needs to see a specialist. What do I do?
    For non-urgent referrals:  when one of our doctors refers you to a specialist, please schedule your appointment with the specialist, then call our office within five business days of your appointment. Your referral will be available within 72 hours. Most referrals are completed electronically and submitted directly to the specialist's office. Please check with our office staff to determine if your insurance plan processes referrals electronically.

    For urgent referrals:  when one of our doctors determines that you need an urgent referral, your referral will be initiated immediately. Please remain in our office while your referral is processed, then proceed to your specialist.
  • Do you accept my health insurance plan?
    We participate with most major health insurance plans. Please call our office staff at (973) 383-9841 (Newton office) for specific questions.
  • What immunizations will my child receive?
    To help protect your child from many serious infectious diseases, we closely follow the immunization schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, although we have developed our own immunization schedule based on certain variations in combinations and manufacturers of vaccines. Please discuss your immunization questions and concerns with any of our pediatricians.
  • When will I receive lab or test results?
    You will receive a call right away with any lab results that require urgent attention. Other abnormal lab results will be addressed promptly by the provider that ordered the labs or tests. Normal values are usually not reported, however, you are welcome to call our office to request a copy of your results.
  • How do I obtain a prescription refill?
    Please call our Newton office. Allow one business day for all routine prescription refills. For prescriptions that require prior authorization from your insurance company, please plan ahead to allow at least three to five days for refill approval. Prescription refills for controlled substances such as pain or ADHD medications are refilled Monday through Friday only.
  • Does your practice support breastfeeding mothers?
    The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding babies for at least the first six months. Breastfeeding helps defend children against infections, prevents allergies, and protects against a number of chronic conditions. While experts believe that breast milk is the best nutritional choice for infants, breastfeeding may not be possible for all women. Some women have specific medical considerations that impede breastfeeding; others choose to feed by formula because of discomfort, work schedule, or lifestyle choices. In these cases, infant formula is a good alternative. We will gladly discuss your diet and feeding concerns at your well care visit, or please call during office hours to speak with our experienced nursing staff.
  • I just gave birth. When should I schedule my baby's first doctor visit?
    Because many newborns are held in the nursery for less than 48 hours, current recommendations call for seeing newborn infants in the pediatrician’s office within one or two days after discharge. Our staff understands the importance of this first visit and will make every effort to schedule this visit promptly.
  • When should my baby start solid foods?
    As all children are different, we advise following several appropriate steps to advance your child's diet based on age and development. Please discuss these steps with our providers at your well care visit.

Disclaimer: This website is intended to offer general information only. Nothing contained on this site, including third party content, should be considered a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis and/or treatment. Advocare does not assume liability or responsibility for any of the information contained on this website. Please consult your Advocare physician with more detailed questions and to receive specific diagnoses and recommendations.

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