Pediatric evaluation team gives parents peace of mind

The MCG Children's Medical Center is offering a new service that should go a long way toward easing the fears parents face when their child is hospitalized. The Pediatric Evaluation Team, or PET, is a multidisciplinary group of health care providers that parents can call to their child's bedside to provide a rapid evaluation of the child's condition.

"Our doctors and nurses are superb caregivers, but no one knows a child like his or her parents," said Kay Lawrence, Nurse Educator in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the MCG Children's Medical Center. "Parents are able to spot subtle changes in a child's personality that may signal a worsening of the child's physical condition," Lawrence said.

If parents are still worried after first consulting with their child's nurse or doctor, they may call 706-721 2223 from any telephone in the MCG Children's Medical Center and ask the operator to send the PET to evaluate their child.

"This is another great initiative to help families partner with their health care team for the safety of our patients," said Barbara Meeks, Vice President of Pediatric Patient Care Services at the MCG Children's Medical Center.

MCG Health is composed of three organizations - MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the MCG Physicians Practice Group. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children's Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center, and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia, and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for delivering the highest level of primary and specialty health care. For more information, please visit www.MCG Health.org.