As first-time parents, we trusted Dr. Peterson to carefully evaluate our newborn. Unfortunately, our experience was incredibly stressful and, in our opinion, avoidable.
During our daughter's appointment, the staff completely undressed her down to her diaper in a chilly exam room, performed the rest of her exam and vitals, and then took her temperature last. It came back low. Rather than allowing us to warm and swaddle her for a few minutes and simply retaking her temperature, Dr. Peterson barely examined her himself. He didn't take the time to reassess her temperature, perform a more thorough evaluation, or explore whether there could have been an environmental reason for the reading. Instead, after only a brief interaction, he immediately told us to be concerned about a possible infection and sent us straight to Primary Children's Hospital for a full sepsis workup.
By the time we arrived at the hospital, her temperature was already completely normal. Because of the referral, however, she still had to undergo blood draws, urine testing, and cultures, followed by an overnight hospital stay while we waited for the culture results. Throughout the entire hospitalization, every nurse and physician told us her vital signs looked great. Her blood and urine tests were reassuring, and her cultures remained negative.
Ultimately, we were told there was no infection and that this appeared to be an environmental temperature issue rather than an illness.
I absolutely understand that newborns should be evaluated carefully and that physicians should err on the side of caution. However, I expected a more thoughtful and thorough assessment before my three-day-old daughter was sent to the emergency department for invasive testing and an overnight hospital admission. I was also only three days postpartum, so having to spend the day and night there while I was still recovering myself, only to find out this was something the pediatrician could have prevented, was incredibly frustrating. A repeat temperature after warming her, along with a more complete examination, could have prevented an incredibly stressful experience for our family.
I hope this office reviews its process for obtaining newborn temperatures and ensuring a complete evaluation is performed before families are sent to the emergency department, so other parents don't have to go through a similar experience. read more
