Pediatric urgent care in Miami Beach provides same-day evaluation and treatment for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries in children, without requiring a hospital emergency room visit. TrufaMED Urgent Care, located at 9445 Harding Ave in Surfside, sees children from infancy through college age with on-site laboratory, X-ray, and ultrasound, seven days a week including late evenings.
This guide covers which conditions fall within urgent care scope, which symptoms should send a child directly to an emergency room, what ages TrufaMED treats, and what families can expect during a visit.
TrufaMED is Florida’s only Joint Commission-accredited urgent care, a distinction that reflects clinical protocols, staff credentialing standards, and facility oversight governing every visit, including those involving children.
What Pediatric Urgent Care Covers
Urgent care fills the clinical space between a primary care appointment and a hospital emergency department. It is designed for conditions that need same-day evaluation or treatment but do not involve an immediate threat to the child’s life.
Conditions within scope at TrufaMED Urgent Care include:
- Fever in children three months of age and older, with clinical evaluation and laboratory testing when indicated
- Ear infections (otitis media and otitis externa) and sinus infections
- Strep throat and tonsillitis, confirmed with a rapid antigen test on-site
- Conjunctivitis and eyelid infections
- Minor lacerations requiring closure
- Sprains, suspected fractures, and blunt extremity injuries, with on-site X-ray when indicated
- Skin rash evaluation and treatment
- Urinary tract infections with urinalysis and urine culture
- Mild-to-moderate asthma exacerbations in children who are clinically stable
- Mild allergic reactions without signs of anaphylaxis
- Vomiting or diarrhea with mild-to-moderate dehydration
- Croup in children who are breathing comfortably at rest
- Influenza and COVID-19 evaluation with rapid on-site testing
When a presentation falls outside that scope, the physician will make that determination at triage, stabilize the child, and facilitate transfer to the appropriate level of care. The goal is accurate triage.
What falls outside urgent care scope: respiratory arrest, active or unresolved seizures, altered consciousness, major trauma, anaphylaxis with throat involvement or circulatory compromise, and any scenario where the child’s condition is rapidly deteriorating. These require a hospital emergency room or 911.
Ages TrufaMED Sees
TrufaMED sees pediatric patients from infancy through college age. There is no minimum age for urgent care evaluation.
For neonates, meaning infants from birth through 28 days of life, any fever is a medical emergency that requires emergency room evaluation regardless of how the infant appears. A temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) in an infant under 28 days warrants an ER visit and full workup. TrufaMED physicians direct families in this situation immediately to the appropriate setting.
For infants three months and older, fever, ear infections, and common pediatric presentations are within urgent care scope when the infant is otherwise clinically stable, breathing comfortably, alert, and not in acute distress. A physician assesses each infant individually.
Toddlers, school-age children, and adolescents are seen for the full range of urgent conditions, from respiratory infections to sports injuries. TrufaMED also performs pre-participation sports physicals required by Miami-Dade Public Schools for students in grades 6 through 12.
College-age patients are seen under the same protocols and by the same physician team. There is no upper age cutoff, and the transition from pediatric to adult care does not require a change of facility.
Parents and guardians do not need to call ahead for most pediatric visits. For children with complex medical histories or presentations that may require specific preparation, calling (305) 537-6396 before arrival gives the team time to set up appropriately.
Common Pediatric Conditions Treated Same-Day
Ear Infections and Sore Throats
Ear infections are among the most common reasons families bring children to urgent care. TrufaMED physicians perform a full otoscopic examination and diagnose otitis media or otitis externa during the visit. For sore throats, a rapid strep antigen test returns results within minutes at the on-site lab. Positive results receive same-visit treatment; negative results receive a clinical interpretation rather than a reflex prescription.
Fever
Fever in children three months and older warrants evaluation when it is high (above 102 to 103 degrees Fahrenheit in most age ranges), persistent beyond 72 hours, or accompanied by symptoms such as rash, stiff neck, ear pain, significant lethargy, or difficulty breathing. TrufaMED performs a focused physical examination, orders relevant laboratory tests from the on-site lab, and evaluates for an underlying source. Treatment is directed at the cause rather than the temperature number alone.
Orthopaedic and Sports Injuries
Sprains, strains, and suspected fractures from school sports, recreational activity, playground injuries, and accidents are evaluated with a physical examination and on-site digital X-ray when indicated. The treating physician reviews the images at the facility, with a formal radiologist read to follow. When a fracture is identified, appropriate immobilization and referral instructions are provided in the same visit.
Respiratory Illness
Upper respiratory infections, influenza, COVID-19, croup, bronchospasm, and sinusitis are evaluated and treated. On-site rapid testing for influenza A/B and COVID-19 returns results in approximately 15 minutes. Children in moderate or severe respiratory distress are directed to emergency care. For children with a known history of asthma or reactive airway disease, the physician assesses severity before determining the appropriate treatment setting.
Gastrointestinal Illness
Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dehydration from viral gastroenteritis are common pediatric presentations. TrufaMED evaluates for dehydration severity, orders laboratory work when indicated, and provides oral or IV rehydration when appropriate. IV fluid therapy for pediatric dehydration is available for children who cannot tolerate oral fluids and who are clinically appropriate for urgent care management.
Skin Conditions and Wound Care
Rash evaluation, impetigo, cellulitis, and superficial wound care fall within urgent care scope. Minor lacerations are assessed for depth, location, and contamination. When suture closure is appropriate for the wound and the child is cooperative, closure is performed at TrufaMED. Wounds that require general anesthesia or are beyond ambulatory scope are referred appropriately.
Diagnostic Tools Available for Children
A physician-staffed urgent care facility with on-site diagnostics offers a meaningfully different capability than a telehealth visit or a retail clinic. TrufaMED’s facility at 9445 Harding Ave includes three diagnostic tools available in the same appointment.
On-Site Laboratory
Complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, urinalysis, rapid strep antigen, rapid influenza A/B, rapid COVID-19, mononucleosis (mono spot) testing, C-reactive protein, and urine culture collection are processed at the facility. Most rapid results are available within 15 to 30 minutes. The physician interprets results using age-appropriate reference ranges for the child’s individual presentation.
On-Site Digital X-Ray
Digital radiography allows the physician to evaluate extremity fractures, chest pathology, and foreign body ingestion without a separate imaging order or a trip to a radiology center. The treating physician reviews the X-ray at the facility immediately. A formal radiologist interpretation follows and is communicated to the family, typically the same day.
On-Site Ultrasound
Focused ultrasound is available for soft tissue evaluation, abscess identification, and point-of-care exams when the clinical picture warrants it. Ultrasound is used when it would change clinical management, not as a routine addition to every visit.
When the Emergency Room Is the Right Call
Pediatric urgent care is appropriate when the child is stable, breathing without difficulty, and does not have a condition that could deteriorate rapidly. The following presentations warrant a direct emergency room visit or a 911 call.
Breathing
- Visible retractions: skin pulling in between the ribs or at the base of the throat with each breath
- Nasal flaring at rest
- Grunting with each breath in an infant or young child
- Breathing rate that appears markedly faster than normal for the child’s age
- Blue or gray color around the lips or fingertips (cyanosis)
- Stridor (a harsh sound on inhale) that is worsening rapidly or not responding to steam or cool air
Neurological
- Active seizure or a seizure that has not fully resolved
- Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
- Stiff neck with fever in a child who cannot bring the chin to the chest
- Fever plus rash plus stiff neck together, particularly a non-blanching rash
- Severe head injury with loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, or worsening headache
Gastrointestinal
- Green (bilious) vomiting in an infant, which requires immediate evaluation for intestinal obstruction
- Rigid or board-like abdomen that is extremely tender to the touch
- Blood in stool combined with severe abdominal pain and altered behavior or lethargy
Circulatory and Allergic
- Mottled, pale, or ashen skin with rapid heart rate and limpness
- Anaphylaxis: throat tightness, difficulty swallowing, drooling, tongue or lip swelling, or circulatory collapse after an allergen exposure
- Known epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) has been used: go directly to the ER regardless of apparent improvement
Fever in Neonates
Any temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) in an infant under 28 days of age is a medical emergency. This is a firm clinical rule with no exceptions based on how the infant appears. Go directly to a pediatric emergency room or call 911.
When you are uncertain whether the situation calls for urgent care or emergency care, call TrufaMED at (305) 537-6396. The physician team can help you triage by phone and direct you to the appropriate setting.
What to Expect During a Pediatric Visit
TrufaMED is a physician-staffed urgent care and concierge medicine practice. The environment is professional and clinical. Families seeking a dedicated pediatric hospital setting should be aware of this before visiting.
Arrival and Registration
Walk-in visits are accepted seven days a week during all open hours. At the front desk, the parent or legal guardian presents insurance information and a photo ID. For patients with insurance, the team verifies coverage before the visit begins. Self-pay pricing is provided before treatment starts. If you have questions about coverage, calling (305) 537-6396 before arrival addresses them in advance.
Triage and History
The physician reviews the chief complaint, vital signs, and relevant history. For infants, this includes feeding patterns, urine output, and temperature course. For school-age children, it includes onset, duration, and associated symptoms. The team works at the child’s pace within the constraints of the clinical picture.
Examination and Diagnostics
The physician performs a physical examination. When laboratory tests or imaging are indicated, they are ordered and completed during the same visit when possible. Most rapid lab results are available within 15 to 30 minutes. X-ray results are reviewed by the physician before you leave.
Treatment and Discharge
The physician explains the diagnosis in terms the parent understands and prescribes treatment when appropriate. Discharge instructions include return precautions: specific conditions that should prompt a return to TrufaMED or a direct ER visit. TrufaMED does not prescribe controlled substances for pediatric patients at urgent care visits.
Continuity After the Visit
Medical records are available upon request. A visit summary can be sent to a primary care physician or pediatrician for continuity. For families without an ongoing pediatric physician, the TrufaMED concierge medicine program provides ongoing physician access for both adults and children as part of family membership arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does TrufaMED see newborns?
TrufaMED sees infants from birth onward for evaluation. However, fever in a newborn under 28 days of age is a medical emergency requiring emergency room evaluation. For a neonate with any fever, call 911 or go directly to a pediatric emergency department.
Is a parent or legal guardian required for a minor’s visit?
Yes. A parent or legal guardian must be present for patients under 18 to provide consent for treatment. Photo ID and insurance information for the parent or guardian are required at registration.
What insurance does TrufaMED accept for pediatric visits?
TrufaMED accepts most major commercial insurance plans. For specific coverage questions before arriving, call (305) 537-6396 or review the insurance information page. Self-pay pricing is available for families without in-network coverage and is provided before treatment begins.
Can TrufaMED complete a sports physical for a school-age child?
Yes. Pre-participation sports physicals for Miami-Dade Public Schools, including the forms required for grades 6 through 12, are available at TrufaMED. Walk-in appointments are accepted. Calling ahead confirms form availability and reduces wait time.
How long is the typical wait for a pediatric urgent care visit?
TrufaMED is a low-volume, physician-staffed practice. Most patients are seen within 30 minutes of arrival. Wait times vary by day and time of day. Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons tend to be busier than weekday mornings.
What if my child needs a specialist referral after the visit?
If a specialist is needed, the TrufaMED physician provides a referral recommendation and a visit summary for the specialist. The physician team is led by Dr. Uri Gedalia, CMO and Board-Certified General Surgeon, and Dr. Shane D. Naidoo, Medical Director and Board-Certified Emergency Medicine physician, both of whom can identify the appropriate next step and document the referral.
Is TrufaMED open on weekends for pediatric visits?
Yes. TrufaMED is open Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM and Sunday 12 PM to 8 PM, in addition to Monday through Friday 9 AM to 9 PM. Walk-in visits are accepted during all open hours. No appointment is required for pediatric urgent care.
Can TrufaMED give IV fluids to a child who cannot keep fluids down?
Yes. IV rehydration therapy is available for pediatric patients with vomiting or diarrhea who cannot tolerate oral fluids and are appropriate for urgent care management. The physician assesses the degree of dehydration before proceeding. Children who appear severely dehydrated or in circulatory compromise are directed to emergency care.
For same-day pediatric urgent care in Miami Beach and Surfside, walk in to 9445 Harding Ave, Surfside, FL 33154, or call (305) 537-6396. TrufaMED Urgent Care is open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 9 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM, and Sunday 12 PM to 8 PM. No appointment is required. TrufaMED is Joint Commission-accredited and physician-staffed for every visit.