Emergency Room Visit
When you need help right away, the best place to go is the nearest hospital emergency room (also called the ER). The ER is a place where there is a lot of activity going on--nurses and doctors are there 24 hours a day to treat medical problems that need quick attention. At Duke Children's Hospital, we have an ER that is just for kids.
Your parents might take you to the ER in their car, but if you need to get there really fast, they might call for an ambulance.
What Happens First?
When you go into an ER, the first thing your parent will usually do is sign in at a front desk to let the emergency room staff know that you are there and what your problem is. If your problem is really urgent, you may be taken in to see a doctor right away.
If not, the next step is seeing a triage nurse, who makes sure that the sickest people get to see the doctors first. You may have to wait awhile, but the waiting area has toys, books, magazines, computers, and a TV to keep you busy until an exam room is ready.
Is It My Turn Yet?
When it's your turn, someone will call your name and bring you to an examination room. The ER is a very busy place, so you may have to wait a little bit longer for the doctor.
An ER exam room has a bed for you and a chair where your mom or dad can sit and keep you company. You may notice equipment like a small TV screen that's used to monitor a person's heartbeat and breathing. You might also see an oxygen tank and tubing for people who need help breathing. Although the doctor may not need to use this equipment on you, it is there, just in case, to meet the needs of the many children who come to the ER for treatment.
When the doctor arrives, he or she will talk to you and your parents about your medical problem and examine you. Depending on your symptoms, you might need to get X-rays or other tests and then wait to see the doctor again. Or the doctor may order a blood or urine sample, and the nurse may need to insert an intravenous catheter (IV) into a vein so you can get the medicine or fluids you need to feel better.
Most kids get to go home after the doctor figures out what the medical problem is and decides how to treat it. Sometimes, the doctor decides to admit someone to the hospital, which means staying overnight. Although this may sound scary, your mom or dad can stay with you and keep you company.
What Happens After I Go Home?
After you go home, the ER doctor will probably tell you to visit your regular doctor soon, so he or she can see that you're doing better and answer any questions you or your parents may have. If you received stitches or a cast, the ER doctor will tell you how long it will be before they can be removed.
Source: kidshealth.org
