Pediatric Emergency Room: 10 Tips
The pediatric emergency room is a facility that specializes in critical and acute care for babies and children who come without prior appointment either by an ambulance or through their own means.
A pediatric ER requires special infrastructure, highly qualified personnel, and medicine. This is very important in order to meet the specific needs of pediatric patients during emergency situations.
Our experienced team at FrontLine ER delivers a coordinated and comprehensive emergency care for seriously ill and injured children. Here are some tips that can help you identify with a good pediatric ER.
Safe and Comforting Environment
A serene and kid friendly waiting area with minimal noise and crowding helps to ease a child’s anxiety. The waiting area could be stocked with toys, books, videos, and other items that can help to calm and comfort the patient. The ER specialists can also brief the family on what to expect during the stay at the hospital.
Specialized and Trained Nurses
Well trained doctors and nurses who are board-certified, ensure that comprehensive exams are undertaken and treatment is made accurately. FrontLine ER is staffed with experienced pediatric physicians whose knowledge is invaluable in treating all kinds of child trauma and major medical emergencies.
The specialized caregivers are skilled in handling children who are in pain or are frightened and unable to cooperate during uncomfortable procedures.
Well Stocked Facilities
In instances where there is a need for performing urgent cardiac procedures, an immediate access to a cardiac catheterization lab is a lifesaving intervention. Rapid access to operating rooms, imaging facilities such as MRI, X-rays, CT Scan or other advanced diagnostic techniques are very convenient and saves a lot of time.
Availability of child-sized equipment and supplies like blood pressure cuffs, wheelchairs, oximeters are designed to fit the pediatric patients and can make a big difference when dealing with a crisis.
State-Of-The-Art Technology
With modern and advanced technology, all kinds of emergencies ranging from high fevers to injuries can be treated in a pediatric emergency room. As technology improves, the quality and expectation of healthcare also increase.
Modern technology that’s adopted by pediatric ER should be appropriate for the patients. For instance, a full-service diagnostic lab ensures quick and accurate results that are reviewed immediately by a physician thus saving the waiting time.
Central Work Stations
Having a centralized work area gives the caregivers a greater visibility to staff, a child’s room thus enhancing teamwork and communication. This also ensures that a patient won’t have to explain themselves repeatedly because everyone will be on the same page and treatment can proceed without any delay.
Web Communication Access
This is a very important tip for a pediatric ER because immediate communication amongst doctors is very crucial. Radiologists and other specialists can be consulted from virtually anywhere, be it at home or within the hospital. A good communication and web network also avoid delays which could lead to serious complications. It also helps the urgent care providers to coordinate help in case there’s a need for transfer.
Round the Clock Availability
Oftentimes, sudden injuries or illnesses happen after -hours when your specialist may not be available. Pediatric ER should operate 24 hours a day and a provision for busy hours should be made.
Physicians often face competing demands with their time while providing treatment. Double staff coverage is a great advantage as very urgent cases can be attended to sooner. For quick and professional and uninterrupted healthcare, please visit the FrontLine ER.
Medical Records
Having electronic health records is very necessary for an emergency room where fast and accurate information is crucial. Quick access to a child’s medical history improves patient care by providing accurate clinical decisions, medical alerts which help in reducing errors and improving the quality of service. Availability of a patient’s records and test results may be needed for legal purposes especially if a claim is being pursued.
Established relationship with pediatric patients
A pediatric ER should have a welcoming atmosphere and décor in the patient’s rooms that appeal to children of all ages. We all can acknowledge that medical procedures can be quite challenging for children. Children can be prepared for invasive processes by singing, using puppets, cartoons or art. The staff also dress in kid-friendly colors, floral prints which may be appealing.
Private Family Room
This is important in order to accommodate members of the family for confidential conversations with physicians or emotional and spiritual support.
Pediatric Emergency room offers a child-focused care for emergencies that general emergency departments may not be able to provide. Lack of which, can result in a high risk of errors from providers who are unaccustomed to treating pediatric patients.
It can also be challenging for some children who are pre-verbal and cannot express their symptoms comfortably, however, our warm and compassionate caregivers at FrontLine ER are well versed and are able to handle such situations with ease.
