From time to time, Suburban Mom and NJ Kids like to introduce you to one of our friends – and hopefully together we can learn about some of the great businesses in our state.  Today: Michael Bachman and PM Pediatrics.  Read on to see how Dr. Bachman is working to create positive and accessible urgent care for children – and helping to foster a relationship with families that is based in comfort, ease and convenience.  Importantly, Bachman also offers advice about when to see a doctor and what you can do to be a partner in your child’s healthcare.

Suburban Mom:  Please tell us your name and title. 

Michael Bachman:  I am Michael Bachman, M.D, M.B.A. I am the Regional Medical Director of PM Pediatrics, as well as the Medical Director of PM Pediatrics of Livingston and our soon to be open North Brunswick location.

SM: Tell us a little about your training and education.

MB: After medical school, I completed a 3 year Pediatric Residency program at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park, NY followed by a 3 year Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC.  During my fellowship I also completed the MBA program at George Washington University.

SM: When and why did you decide to get into medicine?

MB: Even as a child, I was fascinated by science and the wonders of human physiology.  In college, I majored in Psychology while completing my pre-med courses and became interested in ways to incorporate an understanding of interpersonal communication and human behavior with the delivery of health care. 

SM:  What is your favorite aspect of being a doctor?

MB: It is very rewarding to be able to comfort a child and their family during one of the most stressful events of their lives - dealing with a sick child.   By practicing quality evidence-based medicine and taking the time to explain the diagnosis and treatment course, I can put the family at ease while providing the needed care to their child.  While children’s medical conditions can deteriorate quickly, they can often also improve quickly with appropriate treatment.  There is nothing more rewarding than caring for a scared, tearful child in pain and then having them leave smiling and asking for stickers!

SM: Tell us a bit about PM Pediatrics

MB: PM Pediatrics was founded over 8 years ago in New York by Dr. Jeffrey Schor, a Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician and Pediatric ER Director at New York Queens Hospital, and Steven Katz, a corporate development executive and former management consultant with a focus on healthcare.  Together, they believed that there was a better way to deliver urgent care to kids. Over 90% of children seen in ERs do not have true emergencies and can be cared for in an urgent care setting.  Our mission is to ensure that patients receive superior quality healthcare when they need it, without having to wait long for it. Our commitment to quality is evident in everything we do when providing care, comfort, and convenience to our patients and their families.

PM Pediatrics is staffed by Pediatric Emergency Specialists who have special training in treating children in urgent situations while minimizing pain and unnecessary tests.  We provide care and treatment for a broad array of illnesses and injuries including asthma, fever, stomach distress, infections, fractures and stitches.  Our equipment and medical supplies are designed for children of all ages and sizes.  We have on site digital x-ray and lab, and we can provide access to specialists such as plastic surgeons or orthopedists if needed.

SM: Are there any tell-tale signs when a child should be seen by a doctor?

MB: This is a difficult question to answer as there is such a wide array of illnesses and injuries.  Parents should focus on their children’s complaints and seek immediate care for any difficulty breathing, severe or persistent pain and wounds with active bleeding that won’t stop.  When parents are unsure if they need immediate care, they should contact their primary care physician.  PM Pediatrics works closely with the community pediatricians and provides a detailed copy of the patient's record to the pediatrician on the day of their visit. 

SM: What are the top signs that it is an emergency? 

MB: Common emergencies that require immediate evaluation by a physician include convulsions, choking episodes, falls from a height, loss of consciousness, burns, difficulty breathing and ingestions of a foreign body or toxic substance.  While PM Pediatrics can manage urgent illnesses like ear infections and strep throat, we can also treat emergent illnesses like asthma attacks, croup, prolonged fever and dehydration.

SM: Do you have any advice for parents to help prepare them for a doctor visit?

MB: It's a great idea for parents to prepare for their visit.  Parents should keep a log of all medications given at home and the timing of recent symptoms such as fever and vomiting.  During the visit, the parent should ask questions and make sure all of their concerns are addressed.  Of utmost importance, parents should make sure they fully understand the discharge instructions and treatment plan. At PM Pediatrics, we provide parents with detailed discharge instructions for home care, medications and the follow-up plan. 

SM: What are some of the big causes of injuries to kids nowadays and is there a way to prevent them?

MB: At PM Pediatrics we see a wide range of injuries, ranging from fractures and dislocation that occur during competitive sports, to simple lacerations from trips and falls in the backyard.  To prevent sports injuries, appropriate training and conditioning as well as warm-up and cool-down periods are recommended.  If children sustain a head injury in sports, they should not return to play until cleared by a physician.  Children should wear appropriate protective gear when skating, scootering or biking -- especially an appropriately fitted helmet.  While home trampolines are not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents can take measures to minimize risk of injury. Trampolines should have appropriate padding, and there should always be adult supervision.  In addition, only one child should jump at a time and flips should be avoided for risk of spine injury.

PM Pediatrics is located at:
571 West Mt. Pleasant Ave. (Rt 10)Livingston 
(973) 992-4PMP (4767)
www.pmpediatrics.com/livingston.html