Understanding Emergency Department Care
Taking your child to the emergency room (ER), also called the emergency department (ED), can be stressful and overwhelming. Knowing when to go, what to expect, and how to prepare can help make the experience less anxiety-inducing for both you and your child. Emergency departments are designed to treat serious, life-threatening conditions and injuries that require immediate attention.
It's important to understand that ERs prioritize patients based on the severity of their condition (triage), not order of arrival. This means wait times can vary significantly, and patients with more urgent conditions will be seen first, even if they arrived after you.
📌 Key Principle: The emergency room is for emergencies—situations where your child's health or life may be at immediate risk. For non-urgent issues, your pediatrician's office, urgent care, or telehealth may be more appropriate options.
When to Go to the Emergency Room
🚨 Call 911 Immediately For:
• Difficulty breathing or not breathing
• Unresponsive or won't wake up
• Seizure (especially first-time)
• Severe head injury
• Suspected poisoning
• Choking
• Severe bleeding that won't stop
• Suspected broken neck/spine
🏥 Go to ER (Drive or Call 911) For:
- • Severe allergic reaction (swelling, difficulty breathing)
- • High fever in infant under 3 months (100.4°F/38°C or higher)
- • Severe dehydration (no urination in 8+ hours, very dry mouth)
- • Deep cuts that may need stitches
- • Broken bones with obvious deformity
- • Severe abdominal pain (especially with vomiting)
- • Head injury with vomiting or altered consciousness
- • Severe burns (large area, face, hands, genitals)
- • Eye injury with vision changes
- • Signs of meningitis (stiff neck, severe headache, rash with fever)
- • Suicidal thoughts or severe mental health crisis
⚠️ Consider Urgent Care Instead For:
- • Minor cuts that might need stitches
- • Sprains and strains
- • Mild to moderate asthma flare-ups
- • Ear infections
- • Minor burns
- • Colds and flu symptoms
- • Minor allergic reactions
- • Simple fractures without deformity
📞 Call Pediatrician First For:
- • Fever (except newborns)
- • Rashes
- • Vomiting or diarrhea without dehydration
- • Minor injuries
- • Ear pain
- • Sore throat
- • General illness questions
What to Bring to the Emergency Room
📋 Documents & Information
- ✓ Insurance card
- ✓ Photo ID
- ✓ List of current medications
- ✓ List of allergies
- ✓ Immunization records (if available)
- ✓ Medical history summary
- ✓ Pediatrician's contact information
- ✓ Recent test results or imaging
🎒 Practical Items
- ✓ Phone charger
- ✓ Snacks and water (for you)
- ✓ Comfort items (favorite toy, blanket)
- ✓ Entertainment (books, tablet)
- ✓ Extra clothes for child
- ✓ Diapers/wipes if applicable
- ✓ Any needed medications
- ✓ Small amount of cash
💡 Tip: Keep a prepared "ER bag" at home with copies of important documents, a medication list, and comfort items. In an emergency, you can grab it quickly.
What to Expect: The ER Process
Check-In/Registration
Provide insurance information, identification, and basic information about why you're there. Be prepared to answer questions about your child's medical history.
Triage Assessment
A nurse evaluates your child to determine urgency level. They'll check:
- • Vital signs (temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen level)
- • Brief description of problem
- • Pain level
- • Any immediate life-threatening concerns
This determines priority—life-threatening conditions are seen immediately; less urgent cases wait longer.
Waiting Room
Wait times vary based on severity and ER volume:
- • Critical: Immediate
- • Emergent: Within 15 minutes
- • Urgent: 30-60 minutes
- • Less urgent: 1-2+ hours
- • Non-urgent: May be redirected to urgent care
Examination Room
Once called back, you'll be placed in an exam room or bed. Further assessment includes:
- • Detailed medical history
- • Thorough physical examination
- • Discussion of symptoms and concerns
Testing & Procedures
Based on findings, may include:
- • Blood tests
- • Urine tests
- • X-rays or other imaging
- • IV placement for fluids or medications
- • Specialized procedures
Treatment
Based on diagnosis, treatment may include medications, procedures (stitches, casting), or observation. The doctor will discuss findings and treatment plan with you.
Discharge or Admission
Two possible outcomes:
- • Discharge home: Receive instructions, prescriptions, and follow-up plan
- • Hospital admission: If child needs continued care or observation
Tips for a Smoother ER Visit
🗣️ Communication
- • Be clear and concise about symptoms
- • Mention when symptoms started
- • Describe what you've tried at home
- • Don't minimize or exaggerate
- • Ask questions if you don't understand
- • Request interpreter if needed
😌 Stay Calm
- • Children pick up on your anxiety
- • Use calm, reassuring voice
- • Explain procedures in age-appropriate terms
- • Be honest but comforting
- • Stay with your child when possible
⏰ Be Patient
- • Understand wait times vary
- • ERs prioritize by urgency, not arrival
- • Staff are doing their best
- • Testing takes time
- • Bring entertainment for waits
📝 Take Notes
- • Write down diagnosis
- • Note medications given
- • Record follow-up instructions
- • Get names of providers
- • Ask for written discharge papers
Helping Your Child Through the Visit
For Toddlers & Preschoolers
- • Bring favorite comfort item
- • Use simple, honest explanations
- • Distraction with toys or videos
- • Offer choices when possible ("Which arm for the bandaid?")
- • Praise brave behavior
- • Stay physically close
For School-Age Children
- • Explain what will happen in advance
- • Answer questions honestly
- • Teach coping strategies (deep breathing)
- • Allow them to participate in decisions
- • Acknowledge their feelings
- • Bring books, games, or devices
For Teenagers
- • Respect their privacy and modesty
- • Include them in discussions with doctors
- • Allow them to ask questions
- • Provide honest information
- • Support their autonomy while staying involved
- • Acknowledge their fears are valid
After the Emergency Room Visit
📋 Follow Discharge Instructions
- • Fill prescriptions promptly
- • Follow medication schedule exactly
- • Observe any activity restrictions
- • Watch for warning signs mentioned
- • Keep wound care appointments
📞 Contact Pediatrician
- • Call within 24-48 hours for follow-up
- • Share ER visit summary
- • Discuss ongoing care plan
- • Schedule any recommended appointments
- • Ask questions about recovery
🔄 Return to ER If:
- • Symptoms worsen
- • New concerning symptoms develop
- • Warning signs from discharge papers occur
- • Treatment isn't helping
- • You're worried something is wrong
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I eat or drink while waiting in the ER?
You (the parent) can, but your child should not eat or drink until cleared by the medical team. Some procedures or treatments require fasting, and eating/drinking could delay care or pose risks if sedation or surgery becomes necessary.
Q: How long will we be there?
This varies widely—from 1-2 hours for minor issues to 6+ hours for complex cases requiring extensive testing or observation. Be prepared for a potentially long visit. Bring entertainment and phone chargers.
Q: Will my child see a pediatric specialist?
Many ERs have pediatric-trained emergency physicians. Some hospitals have dedicated pediatric emergency departments. In complex cases, specialists may be consulted. The ER team is trained to care for children, even in general (non-pediatric) ERs.
Q: Can both parents stay with the child?
Policies vary by hospital and situation. Generally, at least one parent can stay with the child at all times. During certain procedures or in crowded conditions, there may be temporary restrictions. Ask about the hospital's specific visitor policy.
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer
This article provides general information about emergency room visits and is not intended to replace professional medical advice or emergency services. When in doubt about whether your child needs emergency care, err on the side of caution—call your pediatrician, call 911, or go to the ER. Trust your parental instincts—you know your child best.