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Same-Day Care

Get care today from Children’s Mercy experts

Children's Mercy pediatric same-day care locations have specialty trained doctors and nurses who only care for children. They also have kid-sized equipment and know how to help children feel safe and calm. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

Urgent Care for Kids

Treatment for illnesses and injuries that need immediate attention.

Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week.

Express Care for Kids

Treatment for very minor conditions.

Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week.

Orthopedic Injury Clinic

Treatment for orthopedic-related illnesses and injuries.

Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week.

Emergency Room

Treatment for a wide variety of serious and life-threatening conditions.

If you need help now but can’t get to an emergency room safely, call 911.

Where should I take my child for same-day care?

Symptom Emergency Room Urgent Care Express Care
Allergies ✓ ✓  
Animal bite ✓ Minor Minor – no stitches
Asthma attack Severe Mild to moderate  
Bleeding that won’t stop ✓    
Broken bone Looks bent, curved or deformed Not bent, only children > 1 year old Not bent, only children > 1 year old
Bronchiolitis ✓ ✓  
Burn ✓ Minor, only children > 1 year old Minor, only children > 1 year old
Cast problems ✓ Only at Ortho Injury locations  
Cold or cough ✓ ✓  
Cut ✓ Minor – glue, stitches or staple repair Minor – glue or staple repair
Dehydration ✓ ✓ No IV fluids
Diarrhea With blood and fever ✓ ✓
Earache and ear infection ✓ ✓  
Fainting ✓    
Fever Infant less than 2 months old Children over 2 months old Children over 2 months old
Foreign object removal ✓ ✓  
Head injury Loss of consciousness/vomiting or extreme impact No loss of consciousness/vomiting, minor impact  
Insect bite ✓ ✓  
Migraine or severe headache ✓    
Motor vehicle collision ✓    
Nausea, vomiting ✓ No IV fluids  
Neck injury ✓    
Pink eye ✓ ✓  
Pneumonia Diagnosed with worsening symptoms ✓ ✓
Poisoning ✓    
Rash   ✓ Minor
Seizure ✓    
Sprain or strain   ✓ ✓
Stomach pain Severe or concern for appendicitis Mild Mild
Swallowed object ✓ Not magnet or battery Not magnet or battery
Trouble breathing ✓    
Urinary infection   ✓  
Ultrasound, CT scan or MRI ✓    

Frequently asked questions

If you think your child’s life is in danger, call 911. Potentially life-threatening situations may include:

  • Choking or extreme difficulty breathing (anaphylaxis concerns) 

  • Loss of consciousness, severe confusion, or unable to awaken

  • Seizures

  • Bleeding that does not stop

  • Burns to the head or neck

  • A child who is threatening to harm themselves or others

The Emergency Room can help with serious or severe illnesses and injuries, such as:

  • Asthma attack (severe)

  • Bleeding that won't stop

  • Broken bone (looks bent, curved or deformed)

  • Bronchiolitis (with difficulty breathing

  • Burn (severe)

  • Cast problems (soiled or wet)

  • Cut (severe)

  • Fainting

  • Fever (infants less than 2 months old)

  • Head injury (loss of consciousness or extreme impact)

  • Migraine

  • Pneumonia (diagnosed and with worsening symptoms)

  • Poisoning

  • Seizure

  • Stomach pain (severe)

  • Swallowed object

  • Trouble breathing

Urgent Care centers are a great option for minor illnesses and injuries. Children's Mercy urgent care providers care for children with conditions like:

  • Allergies
  • Asthma attack (minor)
  • Broken bone (not bent)
  • Bronchiolitis (without difficulty breathing)
  • Burn (minor)
  • Cold
  • Cough
  • Cut (minor)
  • Dehydration
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness
  • Earache and ear infection
  • Fever (children over 2 months old)
  • Headache
  • Head injury (no loss of consciousness, minor impact)
  • Insect or minor dog bite
  • Nausea/vomiting 
  • Pink eye
  • Rash
  • Sore throat
  • Sprain or strain
  • Stitches (from minor cut)
  • Stomach pain (mild)
  • Urinary tract (bladder/kidney) infection

Do not bring your child to urgent care if they have any of the following:

  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Head injury
  • Injury with loss of feeling, numbness
  • Bone or muscle sticking out from skin
  • Limb injury that is cold to the touch
  • Injury with concern for physical or sexual abuse

 

Express Care is a one-of-a-kind pediatric-focused health care option. Some cases where you might take your child to Express Care include:

  • Colds and coughs
  • Ear infections
  • Pink eye
  • Rashes
  • Mild fever
  • Flu shot

Do not bring your child to express care if they have any of the following:

  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Head injury
  • Injury with loss of feeling, numbness
  • Bone or muscle sticking out from skin
  • Limb injury that is cold to the touch
  • Injury with concern for physical or sexual abuse

When your child has an orthopedic injury, don’t sit next to sick and ill patients in the emergency room or urgent care. Get expert pediatric care at the Children's Mercy Orthopedic Injury Clinic. Our specialists will treat orthopedic injuries including:

  • Broken bones/fractures
  • Sports injuries
  • Foot or ankle injuries
  • Shoulder injuries
  • Knee injuries
  • Hand or wrist injuries
  • Strains and sprains

Do not bring your child to this clinic if they have any of the following:

  • Uncontrolled bleeding
  • Head injury
  • Injury with loss of feeling, numbness
  • Bone or muscle sticking out from skin
  • Limb injury that is cold to the touch
  • Injury with concern for physical or sexual abuse
Children's Mercy
Departments and Clinics
Same-Day Care: Pediatric Urgent Care, Express Care, Orthopedic Injury Clinic and Emergency Room