Pediatric Nursing Business Is Building

A child’s home presents fertile ground for health professionals battling for business.

As in other areas of health care, the question is whether the patient, in this case a severely ill kid, needs specialty care or can get along with a generalist. Building Blocks Pediatric Home Health Services, a Newport Beach company, believes pediatric nurses can provide better, cheaper care than those without specialty training--and it’s paying off.

The company, which operates offices in Newport Beach, Pleasanton, Culver City and Corona, aims to add two more offices in California this year and four next year, possibly in nearby states. Its revenue tripled last year to about $3 million, it’s profitable, and it employs 120 individuals, an official said.

The company was founded in 1993 by a pediatrician disappointed by care his young son had received through a service that normally serves adults.

Barbara Marsh covers health care for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-7762 and at barbara.marsh@latimes.com