As a parent, there is little to no doubt, that at some point you will feel the need to take your child to the emergency room. In fact, almost 30 million children visit an emergency room a year in just the United States. Before you head off to the nearest hospital, there are a few things you should be aware of first. While the emergency room can be a great destination in some cases, in others you may want to seek out alternate care.
Contact Your Pediatrician First
If you have a way to get in contact with your child’s pediatrician, that is what you should do first. This person has knowledge about your child and will offer you advice about what your options are. In addition, if you do need to seek out a hospital, your pediatrician can call the hospital and make them aware that you are on the way. Of course, if the emergency is serious, as a parent you can call 911 on your own.
Consider Pediatric Emergency Care
Many pediatricians now offer pediatric emergency care in North Charleston, SC. If that is the case, there are many situations where this is the better destination. For instance, these locations will have an atmosphere that is geared more toward children, which can help with their anxiety. The practitioners at them are also experienced with working with families just like yours.
Stay Calm and Communicate with Your Child
If you begin to get stressed out, this can also amplify the stress that your child is going through. While this might be a scary time for the both of you, it may be better to help your child understand what his happening, so they are prepared. Your child needs your reassurance and communication is a great way to provide it. That doesn’t mean you should lie, but you should be honest in a manner that is appropriate based on the age of the child.
If you are in need of pediatric emergency care in North Charleston, SC, the experts at Charleston Palmetto Pediatrics are here to help. We offer pediatrics for children of any age and have a 24/7 call coverage, so you can speak to someone whenever you need to. If you’d like to find out more, you can visit our website at www.CharlestonPalmettoPediatrics.com.
