TTMA finding a pediatrician / hospital privileges

[kate61487]

I've seriously procrastinated finding a pediatrician, but I'm finally biting the bullet. I asked friends for recommendations and one rec I received is pretty close to our house and fits all the criteria we had except one: hospital affiliation. The docs don't have privileges at the hospital where our boys have spent the last two months. Is that important? Did you pick a ped at your nicu hospital?

Fwiw: this is the hospital I'd want to go to if God forbid we needed to. It's closest to our house and we've had very good experiences with them.

I'm thinking about asking the nicu nurses for doc recommendations but from what I can find on the hospital's website there is only one practice with multiple doctors and after calling to talk with them I'm not a fan. Others were listed but seem to be one-offs, which means schedule flexibility, evening hours, etc are limited.

[motownthrowdown]

Our ped has privileges at our nicu hospital, but it's a pretty big system and finding a ped with them was no problem. The nicu hospital is a bit further than the nearest one, but it's the best in the region.

It turned out that her neurosurgeon has a clinic out of a different hospital with very specialized equipment, so the hospital issue has become a moot point for us. We HAVE to go to his hospital for shunt stuff.

So that's a long way of saying pick the doctor you like and deal with the hospital issue if you need to. I'm thinking if you show up at your preferred hospital, they aren't going to refuse you. They will most likely consult with your ped, but another doctor will actually do the admitting paperwork.

You'll likely see the pediatrician more often than any of the other docs or specialists, so make sure you like them.

[minae01]

Our pediatrician is not affiliated with the hospital in which my kids were born. It has not been a problem.

[theycallmekveld]

Our pedi doesn't have hospital privileges where DS spent his time but it's never been an issue!

[mandie]

Pediatricians weren't allowed in the nicu. The NICU Drs said that pediatrician a don't have the necessary training for the NICU. They did send weekly reports to our ped, and communicate weekly. Our ped has privileges at the hospital, but obviously not in the NICU. So I'd say nbd for you. Pick the ped that will be most convenient for you.

[kate61487]

Thanks all, I guess I was over thinking it looks like we officially have a ped!

[wicked22]

Late to the game but my pedi is part of another network than where I delivered/nicu doctors. However if one of the kiddos has to go to the hospital there going to our local children's hospital because I don't want to take a chance that either hospital where they were born or in the Pedi's network not having the right equipment.