Ease child's visit to the emergency department
Wilmington, Delaware
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 @ 09:24 AM EDT
by: DelawareOnline News Journal - September 8th, 2009
Emergency departments often start filling up with children in the fall.
With school back in session, kids may catch a bad cold or other virus from a classmate and head to the emergency department if their pediatrician's office is closed. Injuries from sports practices and games are common, and fall is prime time for allergy- and asthma-related complications.
The pressure on emergency departments may be even greater this season because two types of influenza -- seasonal flu and so-called "swine flu" -- are expected to strike.
Parents often feel a great deal of anxiety if they have to take their child to the hospital in an emergency.
The experience "is one of the top stressors for a parent because there's a lot of unknowns when they come into the ED," said Sarah Jasinski, a child life specialist who works in the emergency department at Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Rockland. For both parents and kids, the ED can be an "intimidating environment."
"They're seeing someone who's not their familiar medical provider and they're meeting all kinds of new people," she said.
But even though no parent wants to be in this situation, there are ways to make the process smoother for parents, children and the health care workers.
Stay calm
One key step parents should take occurs even before they enter an emergency department. When a child breaks a bone or has an asthma attack and is in need of urgent care, parents must remain calm.
"It can be very difficult, and a parent can be shaken by any injury to a young child," said Dr. John Loiselle, director of emergency medicine at duPont Hospital. "But children look to their parents to determine how upset they should be, so if a parent is hysterical about a fall, the child will get more upset and will cry. If they are calm, it will be easier for the child to go through a procedure."
Parents also need to stay collected as they drive to the ED. If possible, they should explain to the child what's happening .
"Since the child will be meeting new providers, the parents should explain that they're taking them to the hospital and they're going to get help and the hospital workers are going to make them feel better," Jasinski said. "Focus on the positive impact of trying to get them well."
Often during the trip to the emergency department, parents will give children a snack or a drink to calm them down. They shouldn't. The treatment for their child's condition may involve sedatives or medications that may require an empty stomach.
"In general, they shouldn't have anything by mouth just before they come to the ED," Loiselle said.
Parents should try to get as much information from their children as they can in order to help the doctors. Parents also should not be reluctant to ask about any treatment.
"Some people are either unable or afraid to bring up what their main concern is because they think it might seem kind of silly, and then it ends up not getting addressed," Loiselle said.
Be prepared
The American College of Emergency Physicians recommends that parents learn the locations of the emergency departments nearest their home. If there's time, they should bring the child's medications, immunization and other medical records and contact information for their child's pediatrician.
"Most of the time, we have to call and try to reach the doctors to find out the information, so the more information we have right away, the better off we are," Loiselle said.
Parents also should store the phone number of their child's pediatrician in their cell phone.
"You'd be surprised how many parents don't know who their child's pediatrician is," said Dr. Heather Farley, emergency doctor at Christiana Care and a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians. "It makes it hard to get the history of the child and do good follow-up on them."
Bringing a child's toy or favorite stuffed animal will keep him busy or help comfort him if he's going to be in the ED for several hours. If the child is admitted, the parent may want to consider bringing a sleepover bag with some of the child's favorite items, such as a blanket or a book.
When they prepare in advance, parents won't be as anxious about the visit. And their children may end up handling the experience better.
"Children really pick up on their parents' emotions and look to them to find out how to respond," Jasinski said. "So it will help the children if the parent is feeling more in control of the situation."
QUICK TIPS
Here are 10 things to keep in mind if you need to take your child to the emergency department:
- Plan ahead. Where is the closest emergency department? How would you get there in an emergency?
- If it's a life-and-death situation, call 911. If you're driving to the emergency department, remain calm and drive safely.
- Good communication is key. It's helpful to emergency physicians to have as much information as your child can provide you with.
- If possible, bring your child's medications, medical records and contact information for any doctors who may have treated your child.
- Have a list of any allergies your child may have.
- Explain to your child what is happening. Be sensitive to the situation and your child's age, but be honest. Explain what may be confusing and reassure your child that the emergency staff is there to help. Also, let your child know it's OK for the physician to do an examination.
- Don't let a child eat or drink anything if you're going to the emergency department. Let the physicians recommend when it's OK for your child to eat or drink.
- Bring a sleepover bag in case your child is admitted. Include a change of clothes, pajamas and favorites objects like a small toy, a blanket, a book or a stuffed animal.
- If someone is watching your child (guardian, baby sitter, day care provider, school nurse, etc.) make sure they have a consent form in the event of an emergency. (download one by going to www.emergencycareforyou.org and clicking on "Emergency Manual").
- Stay calm. Remember that kids feed off cues given by adults. Don't add stress to an already stressful situation.
Source: American College of Emergency Physicians
modified: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 @ 02:27 PM EDT
created: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 @ 09:24 AM EDT
About Nemours
Nemours, one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems, is dedicated to achieving higher standards in children’s health. Nemours offers an integrated spectrum of clinical treatment coupled with research, advocacy, and educational health and prevention services extending to all families in the communities it serves. Starting with Alfred I. duPont’s bequest over seventy years ago, Nemours has grown into a multi-dimensional organization offering personalized clinical and preventive care focused on children.
Nemours owns and operates the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware and major children’s specialty clinics in Delaware (Wilmington), Florida (Jacksonville, Orlando and Pensacola), Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr) and New Jersey (Atlantic City and Voorhees). Having recently received preliminary approval from the State of Florida, Nemours will establish a new full-service children’s hospital as part of an integrated pediatric health campus in Orlando. KidsHealth.org, the world’s most visited pediatric health care Web site for parents, kids and teens, is a project of Nemours.
Nemours employs over 4,400 individuals, including 430 pediatric physicians, specialists and surgeons who cared for approximately a quarter of a million children in 2007. The organization’s goal is to align with parents, physicians, community leaders, children’s advocates and elected officials to ensure optimal wellness for every child. Additional information about Nemours can be found at www.nemours.org.
