What to Expect at the ER
There's no way to predict how long you'll have to wait to be seen at the ER. If
your child has a severe medical problem, be assured that the doctors will provide
whatever attention is needed right away.
Because doctors attend to the most severe injuries and illnesses first, there's
a good chance that if you are there with a minor injury, you'll have to wait longer.
Even if the waiting room is empty, you still may have to wait if the exam rooms are
filled or many doctors and nurses are attending to a particularly serious case.
If your child's condition becomes worse while you are waiting to see a doctor,
tell the medical staff.
Before offering any food or drink to your child, make sure to ask the medical staff
if it is OK. In some situations, your doctor would prefer your child has nothing to
eat or drink.
While you wait, there's a chance that you — and your child — may see some very
sick and injured people come into the ER. The sights and sounds of those who are seriously
hurt or sick can be frightening. So assure your child that the ER is the best place
for the hurt people to be and that this is where the doctors can help them feel better.
You might even give an example of a time when someone you know was injured and, as
scary as it was at the time, all was fine after the doctor's care.
Soon after arriving at the ER, your child probably will be seen by a nurse, who
will ask about symptoms, check vital signs, and make a quick assessment. This evaluation,
also called triage, will prioritize your child's medical needs based
on the severity of his or her condition.
You'll also go through a registration process where you'll be asked to sign consent
for treatment forms. And if you have health insurance, be sure to have your member
card with you.
When you're in the ER, try to write down important information that you hear, such
as:
- the names of the doctors
- what they say about the illness or injury
- any medicines or treatment they give your child
- any directions for follow-up or care at home
If your child is discharged, make sure you understand the home care instructions
and ask questions if you don't.
A specialist might not be on-site if you go to the ER on the weekend or at night,
but if needed, one will be called in. If surgery is needed, a surgeon will be contacted.
Some hospitals have child
life specialists. They can help children cope with the stress of being
in the ER, help prepare them for procedures, and give them non-pharmacological pain
management techniques even at very young ages.
In many cases, the doctor who treats your child in the ER will contact your primary
care doctor afterward. If your child is admitted to the hospital, the emergency room
doctor will let your doctor know.
Some ERs provide written or computer-generated documentation of the visit and others
dictate and fax the report to the primary care doctor. Carry a copy of the papers
you receive when your child is discharged to share with your doctor.