How Parents Can Be Prepared for Pediatric Emergency: 10 Tips

How Parents Can Be Prepared for Pediatric Emergency: 10 Tips

Whether you are a first-time parent or not, pediatric emergencies can be very frightening. When children experience high fevers, injuries or broken bones it’s never easy to just keep calm. However, in such cases, you need to remain calm and in control. Therefore, it’s good to be prepared for such a turnout of events.

Below are 10 tips as compiled by FrontLine ER that can help you know what to expect and be ready in the event of an emergency.

Familiarizing with Common Emergencies

There are some common emergencies that you are bound to encounter at home as children grow from infants to toddlers. Some of them are:

Burns-There are many sources of heat in an average home such as hot beverages, overheated food or hot water from a faucet.

Bruises and Cuts– As a child grows and gains mobility, they can roll, bump into objects, or fall. Babies are likely to break bones when they fall because of their low bone density.

Poisoning-Children experience their surroundings by touching and more often tasting objects around them.

First Aid Experience

Become Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certified so you can give your child immediate care. CPR is a lifesaving technique that can be used in several emergencies like drowning. Learn your child’s breathing sounds and body movements in order to recognize when they are chocking. Parents can also learn to clean and bandage cuts and bruises.

Know the Nearest Emergency Room

Make an effort of getting to know the exact location of your nearest emergency room and the time it’s going to take you to get there. Doing this saves you time to search for directions and can as well help to establish if there is a need for an ambulance or if self-drive would be sufficient.

Have an Emergency Kit on Stand By

No matter where you are, whether on vacation or outdoors, it’s safer to have a fully stocked kit. Having one nearby keeps you calm and at peace, because you are able to care for injuries immediately they happen.

Remain Calm

Staying calm is one of the toughest things for any parent to do. So, what can a parent do? Start by doing deep breathing in order to gain control. Children always do and react to what their parents do, by panicking, you will stress out your child and they will be frightened. Try setting a good example for their future by controlling your emotions and anxiety.

Have A Plan

After understanding the risks children are exposed to at home, its only wise to have a well laid out plan that can be used in the event of an occurrence. Do your best to go over the planned time and again then memorize. It’s going to be of great help even in your most overwhelming situations. Doctors at FrontLine ER can educate you on what to do for your own future reference.

Seek Help from Family and Friends

When parents encounter pediatric emergencies, especially if they are first-timers, it can be quite devastating. At this point do not be afraid to enlist the help of family members or friends you can trust to help you. If none of them is available at that moment, and it’s a serious emergency do not hesitate to dial 911.

Minimize the Risk of Another Tragedy

When the emergency requires you to drive to the hospital, it’s natural that you would want to rush and be there within the shortest time possible. Bear in mind that driving recklessly cannot only cause delays, it can also have catastrophic consequences. So please drive responsibly.

Call Your Pediatrician

If you are able to get in touch with your pediatrician, please do so. They can offer advice and recommendations over the phone. Otherwise, you can give your child over the counter pain relievers and note the dosage and time taken. This will, in turn, make the examinations process at the ER easier. He/she can also call ahead and inform the ER staff to expect you if need be.

Bring Your Child’s List of Medication and Medical History

Please make sure all medical information or a list of medications is available upon request at the ER. It’s good to have this information in hand to make sure a proper diagnosis is made. Information such as any known allergies, past surgical or medical history, current medications and a chronological sequence of events that have led to the emergency visit.

It is important to understand that, in as much as your case may seem urgent, the more serious patients are seen first. In addition, your child may need some blood tests or imaging carried out. Note that it can take a while especially if the lab and radiology center is not on site. Visit FrontLine ER where experienced doctors and state of the art equipment are available to ensure your child is treated quickly and effectively.

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