What To Do For Your Child In An Emergency

It will likely happen sooner or later. A fall on the playground or a raging fever in the middle of the night will have you rushing your kid to the emergency room. Provided 911 does not need to be called, the closest hospital may not best fit your needs. Here's what you need to know in case of an emergency.

Pediatrician vs. Hospital: In some cases deciding between going to the hospital and calling the doctor is obvious. If it is a major cut or a bone may be broken; head to the ER immediately. Fevers, rashes, vomiting are probably worth a call to the doctor. She may be able to give you guidance on what to do, have your child come in, or call ahead to the hospital to set up a consult with a specialist. Always consider the time of day and the severity of the situation. A trip to the doctor may be far more convenient and helpful to your child.

The Wait: Once you decide to go to the Emergency Room, get comfortable, because it's going to be a while. Although more hospitals in our area are employing fast track systems, do not expect to be in and out of there quickly. And just because a kid is the patient, do not expect to be treated faster. One doctor in a busy ER says that while they do their best to see patients in the order in which they arrive, a change in someone's vital signs or someone in a more serious situation gets seen first. Some hospitals have separate areas for kids with videos or games, but it may just be you and your kid curled up watching CNN in the waiting room.

Your Baby's Beautiful Face:Of course scarring is a concern, especially if the cut that landed your child in the ER is on the face. You can request a surgical consult (it will be suggested about a dozen times amid the flurry of texts and phone calls while waiting), but bear in mind what this ER doctor told us: "The average ER doctor has placed thousands of sutures in his or her career and a surgeon won't make a bit of difference." A plastic surgeon will likely add hours to your visit and may not be covered by insurance if it was deemed something the ER should have handled. Still, if it's a complex cut and you are worried, it is your right to ask for a surgical consult.

Where To Go: Keep this in your bag or on your fridge. There are other hospitals in Westchester, but here are several to choose from and how they stack up when it comes to treating kids:

Community Hospital At Dobbs Ferry/St. John’s Riverside Hospital
28 Ashford Ave.
Dobbs Ferry, NY
http://www.riversidehealth.org

A local hospital treating the river towns, the Emergency Department physicians provide in-house, round-the-clock medical backup to the personal physicians and specialists of our inpatients.

Greenwich Hospital

5 Perryridge Road,
Greenwich, CT
http://www.greenhosp.org

Physicians are all experienced in pediatric care. There are also specialists for infant care. Young patients often receive care in the ED's Fast Track area. Smaller devices are available for smaller patients. The hospital provides snacks, stickers, coloring books and video games to pass the time. Specially trained pediatric nurse practitioners are also on hand.

Lawrence Hospital

55 Palmer Avenue,
Bronxville, NY 10708 

http://www.lawrencehealth.org

All of the Emergency Department physicians are trained in Pediatric Emergency care and during the busiest times of the day there is a pediatrician onsite. The hospital also offers specially designed equipment to address the needs of young patients.

Northern Westchester Hospital
400 East Main St.
Mt. Kisco, NY 

http://www.nwhc.net

About 25% of the 28-thousand patients it treats annually are children. The Emergency Department is being redesigned to improve the flow of patients through the ER, using a fast track program, which will allow patients with non-life threatening problems to receive timely care in an area adjacent to the main Emergency Room.

PM Pediatrics
620 East Boston Post Rd.
Mamaroneck, NY
www.pmpediatrics.com

After hours care for children through age 21 It is staffed by Pediatric Emergency Specialists. It is an alternative to the ER to treat kids for wounds, broken bones or sprains, fever, vomiting and diarrhea, asthma and ear infections. They have on site lab services. It is open nights and weekends 365 days a year. M-F 5:00pm-Midnight, Saturday and Sunday: Noon-Midnight and holidays. If a child requires admission to a hospital, PM Pediatrics can arrange direct-to-floor admission, bypassing the Emergency Department.

White Plains Hospital 

41 East Post Road,
White Plains,NY
http://www.wphospital.org

Treating over 48,000 patients a year, it’s the most active emergency room in Westchester County. The hospital has a Pediatric Emergency Center inside the main ER with toys and activities, including 3 Wii stations to pass the time. White Plains doubled the size of its former facility and employs a ‘fast track’ unit for those whose needs are less urgent.

Jen is a freelance journalist who has covered the economy and markets for over a decade at a major financial news outlet. She lives in Scarsdale with her husband and 2 children. Jen has yet to bake a successful batch of cookies.