As a parent, the thought about your child waking up in the middle of the night having a fever or any pain can be scary. Sadly enough, no matter how much we love our children and desire to protect them, we can never predict or shield them from such emergencies.
You can never forecast when you will need to rush your child to an emergency room near you. Despite the unpredictable and volatile nature of medical emergencies, the best way to protect your child is always to be prepared to face them.
A vital part of this preparation involves knowing exactly where to go for treatment during an emergency. For instance, should you rush your child to a regular ER near you, or a pediatric emergency room instead?
Trying to decide where to go for help during such a stressful scenario could be a nerve-racking experience for any parent. Your pediatric doctor could help you know exactly where to go and perhaps even recommend a 24- hour emergency clinic with which they are affiliated.
But what is the difference between taking your child to a pediatric emergency room instead of rushing them to an emergency room near you? Let’s have a look into the difference between these medical facilities.
What Is the Difference Between Visiting an ER and a Pediatric Emergency Care Facility?
It’s a fact that when your child is faced with a life-threatening condition, you should rush to the nearest ER without hesitation. However, if you are well prepared for an emergency scenario beforehand, you can locate our urgent care for kids near you, which could handle your emergency.
A regular ER near you can deal with life-threatening conditions; however, the challenge may be that it does not have a pediatrician on call at that time to cater to your child’s well-being.
This will mean that upon arrival at the ER, your child will be stabilized and probably transferred to another emergency facility with pediatric specialists.
Other than having pediatric specialists, our pediatric emergency care facilities also have a child-friendly atmosphere. From colorful walls, toys, and cartoon characters, all meant to distract and put children at ease while being treated.
A pediatric emergency doctor can make a world of difference during your child’s medical emergency. These doctors have vast experience in dealing with acutely sick or injured pediatric patients. They will be able to spot an underlying medical issue that could be easily overlooked in a regular ER.
Who Is a Pediatric Emergency Physician?
A pediatric emergency doctor or physician is a trained specialist who handles life-threatening medical issues in children and teenagers. These doctors are trained to deal with different pediatric medical emergencies and diagnosing uncertain pediatric medical problems.
A pediatric emergency doctor has to undergo four years in medical school, three years residency in pediatrics, and a 2-year fellowship training in pediatric emergency medicine.
They need to be certified and accredited to offer these medical services, needless to say; your child will be in good hands during their medical emergency.
Medical Conditions Treated In Our Pediatric Emergency Care Facility
Here are some of the pediatric medical emergencies we deal with in our 24- hour emergency clinic:
- High and persistent Fever
- Ear infections
- Bacterial skin infections
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Traumatic injuries such as sprains, and bone fractures
- Asthma attacks
- Contusions
- Upper respiratory infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Viral infections
- Croup
- Appendicitis
- Severe constipation cases
- Dehydration
- Concussions
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Poisoning
- Rashes and skin inflammation
- Severe allergic reactions
- burns
You should also bring your child in immediately for pediatric emergency care if they experience any of the following symptoms:
- Any difficulties breathing
- If they are unconscious or unresponsive in any way
- If they are complaining of severe and persistent pain
- Neck stiffness that is accompanied by a fever
- Uncontrollable bleeding after an injury
- If their skin or lips are purple, blue or grey
- If they are confused and withdrawn
When faced with an emergency, it is essential to stay calm; this will allow you to think straight and make sound decisions to help save your child’s life.
You should also call your pediatric doctor if you are faced with a medical emergency. Your pediatrician can help you coordinate with our facility to ensure your child gets prompt and customized medical attention upon arrival at our pediatric emergency room.
Visit us today at Express ERs (main site) for pediatric emergency medical care.