Dr. Patrick L Carolan MD

Emergency Physician (Pediatric) | Pediatric Emergency Medicine

5/5(3)

2525 Chicago Avenue South Childrens Hospitals Minneapolis MN, 55404 Show map

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About

Dr. Patrick Carolan is a pediatric emergency medicine physician practicing in Minneapolis, MN. Dr. Carolan specializes in providing care for critically ill and injured children. Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians possess a vast amount of knowledge in areas such as neonatology, critical care and forensic pediatrics. Children involved in automobile accidents, child abuse or near-drowning episodes are frequent cases treated by pediatric emergency medicine physicians.

Board Certification

PediatricsAmerican Board of PediatricsABP- Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Provider Details

MaleEnglish 35 years of experience

Dr. Patrick L Carolan MD

Dr. Patrick L Carolan MD's Expert Contributions

My Answers

What infections cause high platelet count?
There are many reasons for an elevated platelet count, including viral and bacterial infections. It is best to discuss this with your primary care provider who can provide an assessment that is appropriate to the context of your current health status. READ MORE
Is COVID-19 infection an emergency?
In most cases, No. Emergency care should be sought for breathing difficulty, chest pain or prolonged fever (more than 4-5 days). Otherwise, home-based supportive care is all that is needed. READ MORE
When to take toddler to Urgent Care?
The symptoms that you describe are typical for a viral upper respiratory infection. The trajectory of symptoms that you describe sounds like he is slowly getting better as he approaches the end of the first week of illness which is what is usually seen. Week two is usually marked by continued improvement in symptoms and with return of both appetite and energy levels. You are doing everything correctly in terms of providing supportive care. Increasing his oral fluid intake may help - about an ounce of fluid per pound of body weight per day is advised to maintain overall hydration. If nasal congestion is clogging the nose and making it difficult to drink/swallow comfortably, use of saline nose drops and suctioning can help greatly. He does not need to be seen in an UC or ER at this point in time. If he were to develop fever beyond 5-7 days of illness or experiences rapid or labored breathing then he should be checked. Good luck. READ MORE
Swollen neck lymph node
In most cases, a swollen lymph node in the neck in a 4 year old represents a response to infection. If it is associated with fever, localized pain or tenderness when pressed or if the overylying skin is red, then your child should be evaluated as a bacterial infection may be present. Many times, this evaluation can be performed by his primary care provider. I would escalate this to evaluation in an urgent care or emergency department if there is high fever or any difficulty with swallowing or breathing. READ MORE
Should I go to ER for an overdose?
Yes. If you believe that you are suffering serious symptoms related to a drug overdose you should go immediately to your local ED. If you have some symptoms, but are not sure of the source you can call your local Poison Control Center ((800) 222-1222) to seek their help. They may ultimately refer you to the ED if there are concerns. READ MORE
Stomach pain?
Hi, The abdominal symptoms that you describe could reflect a component of constipation, especially if the dark stools are hard or difficult to pass. If that is the case, a trial of Miralax which is available over the counter may help. The dosing that you would take would follow the recommended doses for an adult. If your symptoms persist, a visit with your primary care provider is a very reasonable next step. Fever, vomiting or progressive pain would all be reasons to be seen sooner rather than later. READ MORE
When is breathlessness an emergency?
Shortness of breath that includes persistent cough, chest tightness, chest pain or fever should be evaluated. The severity of these symptoms would direct whether you should seek care in an urgent care setting or in an emergency department. READ MORE
What is the emergency treatment for low blood sugar?
Simple sugar-based items are usually rapidly absorbed and should raise blood glucose levels within 5-15 minutes. These could include fruit juice - orange, apple, pineapple, cranberry. Honey is another option. Also candies like gummys are concentrated sugar and will also work quickly. READ MORE
What does the hospital do for allergic reactions?
Dependent on your symptoms, treatments might include injectable epinephrine, antihistamines, inhaled medications and in some cases steroid medications. READ MORE
Is hypoxemia an emergency?
Yes. If your blood oxygen saturation is low you should be evaluated. READ MORE
Is an allergic reaction considered an emergency?
It depends on what symptoms you have. If you have known allergies and are experiencing hives alone you can take antihistamine (Zyrtec; cetirizine) and see if that helps to resolve symptoms. If you are experiencing any airway symptoms (lip, tongue or throat swelling or tightness, wheezing or chest tightness) if you are dizzy or lightheaded, you should self-administer your Epi pen and seek emergency care. READ MORE
Is high white blood count serious?
An elevated WBC can be a marker for acute infection, inflammation or stress. It always has to interpreted within a context of clinical symptoms. By itself, it may not have much meaning e.g. obtained as part of a screen for anemia or some other reason to check a CBC. READ MORE
Should I go to the hospital for a kidney infection?
If you are experiencing high fever, vomiting or signs of dehydration (light headedness when walking, dry lips/tongue, decreased urine output) you should seek care in an emergency department. If you are having pain with urination alone, an urgent care or telehealth visit may be all that is needed to evaluate your symptoms or receive a prescription for an antibiotic. READ MORE
Smoking and adenoids?
This is a complicated question for which you should touch base with your anesthesia and surgical teams for guidance. From the anesthesia perspective (https://www.asahq.org/madeforthismoment/preparing-for-surgery/risks/smoking/#:~:text=It's%20no%20secret%20that%20smoking,that%20makes%20you%20lose%20consciousness.), smoking does alter lung function but the anesthesiologists who will be monitoring you during the procedure can make adjustments in your anesthesia if needed. Knowing ahead of time will help them provide the best care for you. In terms of addressing when to stop, there is a balance between the benefit of stopping and the physiologic effects of cannabis withdrawal syndrome, should you stop completely. This would also be worth running by your anesthesia team. In terms of when to start back after your surgery, the surgical site from where the adenoids are removed takes time to heal. I would ask your ENT surgical team about how long you should refrain from smoking after surgery. These time frame guidelines will help you to decide if you need to have an alternative short-term plan available to manage your panic attacks. Good luck. [https://www.asahq.org/madeforthismoment/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/asa-meta-image.jpg] Smoking: Surgery Risks & Anesthesia Complications - Made for This Moment - American Society of Anesthesiologists Smoking. It’s no secret that smoking causes serious health problems, including heart disease, asthma, and lung cancer. If you are having surgery, you also may experience complications related to smoking and anesthesia. www.asahq.org READ MORE
Covid vaccine side effects?
Thank you for checking in regarding your concerns following COVID immunization. While vaccines (any) can cause achiness local to the injection site or achiness generally, no vaccine would result in structural changes in your hips, other bones or in your joints. Feeling feverish or achy following an immunization is a sign that your immune system is responding to the vaccine. Use of medication like Tylenol or Ibuprofen can help reduce the discomfort. READ MORE
My 3 year old has trouble eating?
You should have your daughter seen by a primary care provider. Weight loss with the symptoms that you describe is always a concern. Persistent diarrhea could be an indicator of food sensitivity (gluten-celiac) or other factor leading to malabsorption. Young children who drink excessive amounts of milk can have iron deficiency and anemia. An evaluation by a primary care provider will help to sort out whether a medical problem exists as well as provide guidance on approaches to diet. READ MORE
What are the negative effects of bathing a toddler too long?
The negative effect could be excessive drying of the skin and irritation. Make sure to use skin moisturizers immediately after bathing/toweling off and to limit bathing to once per day for no longer than 10-15 minutes. For most children, bathing 3 time per week is sufficient. A bath at the end of the day can also be part of a relaxing and calming bedtime routine. READ MORE
Can I go to the ER for a sinus infection?
At the present time, and in most locations, sinus symptoms would rate a low triage acuity meaning you could wait for hours to be seen. An urgent care or primary care provider might offer a speedier route to evaluation. Shortness of breath, particularly if accompanied by chest pain or labored breathing should be evaluated in an emergency department. READ MORE
What blood sugar level is a medical emergency?
Your question is difficult to answer without knowing how low the blood sugar is and what symptoms you are experiencing. If you have a known endocrine problem with a persistently low blood sugar and symptoms, you should seek medical attention - and the emergency department is probably the most appropriate location. If it is low and improves taking some sugar containing food or liquid you may be able to follow-up with your primary care provider. READ MORE
Should I go to ER for COVID pneumonia?
If you are experiencing chest pain or progressive shortness of breath you should be seen by a provider - ED, Urgent Care or your primary care provider. If you are experiencing chest pain or have a history of heart or lung problems you would be best served in an ED. READ MORE

Expert Publications

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Dr. Patrick L Carolan MD's Practice location

Practice At 2525 Chicago Avenue South Childrens Hospitals And Clinics - Emergenc

2525 Chicago Avenue South Childrens Hospitals -
Minneapolis, MN 55404

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New patients: 612-813-6111

Mon:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Tue:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Wed:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Thu:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Fri:09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed

Dr. Patrick L Carolan MD's reviews

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Patient Experience with Dr. Carolan

5.0

Based on 3 reviews

Dr. Patrick L Carolan MD has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars based on the reviews from 3 patients. FindaTopDoc has aggregated the experiences from real patients to help give you more insights and information on how to choose the best Emergency Physician (Pediatric) in your area. These reviews do not reflect a providers level of clinical care, but are a compilation of quality indicators such as bedside manner, wait time, staff friendliness, ease of appointment, and knowledge of conditions and treatments.