If you’re a parent, you’ve likely visited an emergency room at some point in your child’s life and if you haven’t, the chances of that happening are high.
But are some parents making unnecessary trips to the ER?
Dr. Jeannine Hoggg joined us to discuss how parents can know when an ER visit is merited.
When to go to the ER
– when you need emergency medical care, and your primary care provider is not available or when you have a life-threatening emergency that needs immediate medical care, treatment or testing not available from your primary care doctor
What are the most common reasons to go to the ER?
– Car accidents, falls, poisonings or ingestions, seizures, prolonged high fevers, persistent vomiting and diarrhea that has led to dehydration, severe asthma attacks not responsive to home treatment are some of the most common reasons that you need to seek emergency care for your child
Should you call someone before you go to the ER?
– with the exception of an immediate life-threatening emergency, it is always a good idea to call your primary care doctor first before taking your child to the ER
What is the process of seeing patients in the ER?
– Patients in the ER go through a process called triage where they assessed usually by a nurse and a determination is made as to how sick patients are and the sickest patients are seen first
– Parents need to know that patients in the ER are not necessarily seen in the order that they arrive
What are things parents need to consider if their child has an accident?
-if it is safe to transport a child on your own
– if EMS should be contacted
– if it is an ingestion you should contact the poison control center first
What are other options apart from ER visits?
– Check with your primary care physician; many clinics have walk-in and same day sick visits.
- Emergency Room Visits
- The Spence and Becky Wilson
- Baptist Children’s Hospital
- 6225 Humphreys Blvd.
- 901-227-7337
