The Hirsch Pediatrics FAQ's and Policies...

Appointments

• What are your office hours?
• Are you currently accepting new patients? 
• What if I need an appointment, and Dr. Hirsch is not available?
• If I am pregnant or have just delivered a baby, how do I officially select and notify Hirsch Pediatrics?
• How do I schedule an appointment?
• Can I schedule more than one child for a check-up at the same time?
• What if I have a medical question that does not require an appointment? 
• What if I am going to be late for my appointment?
• What is a “pre-natal” or "practice interview" appointment?
• How often will my child need check-ups?
  
  
  

What are your office hours?

• Monday-Friday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM.
• Closed for lunch from 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
• Weekend and evening hours by special appointment 
  

NOTE: Please click here for additional contact information and resources if you need to reach Dr. Hirsch urgently or if your child needs to be seen by a physician after office hours and it would be unsafe to wait until the next business day.

Are you currently accepting new patients? 

As of August 2008, Hirsch Pediatrics is currently accepting new patients up to age 21.  However, because Dr. Hirsch is committed to ensuring that Hirsch Pediatrics always maintains the family like atmosphere and individualized care that current patients have come to expect, Hirsch Pediatrics will in the future limit the overall size of the practice.  Please note that siblings of already established patients and those families that have had a pre-natal interview will always be allowed into the practice.

What if I need an appointment, and Dr. Hirsch is not available?

Dr. Hirsch ensures that his patients receive excellent care at all times, even when he is not personally available.  In those rare instances when Dr. Hirsch is out-of-town, we have ensured that nearby pediatricians are available to answer your questions and see your child if necessary.  Patients will be seen either in our own office or in a nearby office.  If your child needs an appointment at a nearby office, the staff at Hirsch Pediatrics will work directly with the office to ensure that your child is seen promptly.

If I am pregnant or have just delivered a baby, how do I officially select and notify Hirsch Pediatrics?

If you deliver at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, Dr. Hirsch will be notified by the hospital shortly after the birth of your baby.  He will then see your baby within 24 hours of birth, typically the morning after the baby is born. Prior to being discharged from the hospital, Dr. Hirsch will make arrangements with you when to follow-up at the office.

If your baby is born at a different hospital such as Holy Cross, Sibley, or Montgomery General, upon entering the hospital, arrangements will be made for another pediatrician to look after your baby until he or she is ready to go home. Prior to going home, please call our office to schedule your first visit. Please note that if your child is born at another hospital, it is very important to bring all of your discharge paperwork to your first visit.

How do I schedule an appointment?

You may either call our office during regular hours or leave a message if the office is closed. Additionally, you may send a request by e-mail.

All phone messages and e-mail requests for sick visit appointments that are sent after-hours will be responded to between 8:00 AM—9:00 AM the next business day.

Messages expressing more urgent needs will be responded to first, thus allowing your child to be seen at one of the earliest morning appointments.

Can I schedule more than one child for a check-up at the same time?

Yes, Hirsch Pediatrics is happy to accommodate check-ups for up to 3 children at one visit.  We have found this policy to be especially helpful for families with twins and an older sibling.  Additionally, with our extra large exam rooms and exciting office design, we have found that most children are happily occupied during their sibling's check-up. 

What if I have a medical question that does not require an appointment?

At Hirsch Pediatrics, we pride ourselves on our ability to respond to your phone calls and e-mails promptly.  Urgent messages will be responded to right away.  Because Dr. Hirsch is readily available throughout the day, our patients do not have a need for specified "call-in" hours that may be found in larger practices.

NOTE: If you have an urgent medical question or concern that arises after regular office hours, and you feel that it would be unsafe to wait until the following day for medical treatment, please click here.

What if I am going to be late for my appointment?

If you realize that you are going to be late for your scheduled appointment, we respectfully request that you call to alert us. Rather than rushing, we may be able to offer you an appointment later in the day.

However, if our schedule is very busy and you arrive more than 5 minutes late for an appointment, out of consideration we will see the next patient(s) first if they are already present in the office.

If your family has recurring late arrivals or missed appointments and therefore disrupts our ability to provide quality and timely care to our other patients, we will contact you to discuss care alternatives.

In the rare event that Dr. Hirsch is running more than 30 minutes behind schedule because of unforeseen emergencies, we will make every effort to contact you on your home or mobile phone and give you the option of coming in later or rescheduling your appointment.

What is a “pre-natal” or "practice interview" appointment?

Although most families will choose their pediatrician based on personal recommendations from friends and family, Hirsch Pediatrics offers pre-natal and practice interview appointments designed for families wanting to learn more about our practice.

During these appointments, Dr. Hirsch will give you a tour of the facilities, describe some of the features of the practice, and answer any questions you may have about the office.

If you do not have time to schedule one of these appointments, we invite you to stop by anytime during business hours to see our unique office and meet our staff as well as Dr. Hirsch if he has a moment between patients.

NOTE: You may still schedule a practice interview appointment even if you are not pregnant and are considering switching pediatric practices. There is no charge or co-pay for these appointments.

How often will my child need check-ups?

Early in life, especially before the age of 12 months, children require frequent well-child exams. At each visit, in addition to a complete physical exam and review of your child’s growth chart, we will discuss many issues including your child’s development (gross motor, fine motor, language, social), feeding and sleep patterns, safety issues, and what milestones to anticipate prior to your next visit.

The recommended schedule involves a well-child exam at the following ages:

* visit usually includes one or more vaccinations
** visit usually includes a blood test

For those parents that prefer more frequent follow-up as well as for children with particular issues or concerns, additional evaluations including those at 3 months, 5 months, 21 months, and 30 months may be scheduled.