Going to the Emergency Room with your baby? It's important to know these things!

When your little one suddenly gets sick or has an accident, as parents, we immediately feel like taking him to the hospital's emergency room, or ``Emergency Room''. The truth is, we know that if we go there, we can get the medical help we need at any time of the day, no matter how serious the child's condition is. However, knowing what to do and how to behave without panicking at a time like this will be a great help to you and your child.

Sometimes, if it's a real medical emergency , yes, the emergency room is the best place to go. Some people call it the Emergency Department or ED. But you don't have to rush to the ETU for every minor illness or injury. For some illnesses and minor injuries, you can get treatment at an urgent care clinic or your child's regular family doctor.

So, if you ever need to go to the emergency room, it's important to be aware of what to expect and what to expect when you get there. Let's talk about that in detail.

When should you call 1990 (Suvaseriya) to get an ambulance?

In some cases, it is better to call an ambulance immediately rather than taking your child to the emergency room (ETU) in your car. In Sri Lanka, you can call the 1990 Suwaseriya service . Here are some situations where you should definitely call an ambulance:

• If the child is having difficulty breathing and appears to be turning blue .
• If you have been in a car accident, lost consciousness , or were seriously injured .
• If the child is having a seizure (that is, if they are having abnormal, continuous convulsions).
• If you lose consciousness (`pass out`) or don't respond when spoken to.
• If you suspect an injury to your neck or back .
• If you lose consciousness due to an injury , continue to vomit, or don't respond as if you're okay.
• If you are bleeding uncontrollably .
• If there is a suspicion that something poisonous has been ingested and the child is not responding normally or is having difficulty breathing.

Important: If you suspect poisoning, contact a specialist centre immediately. For example, in Sri Lanka, you can contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. They may also refer you to the emergency department if necessary.

How can we plan before going to the emergency room?

Instead of waiting until an emergency occurs, you can talk to your child's regular doctor and find out what to do in an emergency and which emergency room is closest to you . Your doctor may tell you about the nearest emergency room , or they may tell you to go to the emergency room at the hospital where they see patients most often.

Should you take your child to the emergency room of a children's hospital? In fact, children's hospitals are places that specialize in children, so they may have more pediatric staff, specialists, and facilities specifically designed for them. So, if it's a real emergency and there's a children's hospital nearby, you might consider going there.

Otherwise, you can seek medical treatment at the nearest hospital . If for some reason that hospital is unable to treat your child's specific condition, the doctors there will arrange for your child to be `transferred' to another hospital that has the facilities.

Another important thing is to be well-informed about your child's medical history . It's a good idea to keep a record of all of this information in one place, so that you don't have to search for it in an emergency. Keep a copy of this in a place where everyone in the house can see it. This will be useful for anyone who takes care of your child (e.g. a babysitter, a grandparent) even when you're away.

Include things like this in your medical history:

• What medications is your child currently taking ?
• What are the child's allergies ? (e.g. to foods, medicines)
• Details of previous hospital stays and treatment .
• If there are any previous surgeries, please tell us about them.
• Chronic conditions or illnesses the child has.
• Details about hereditary diseases in the family (which may be important for the child).
• Details of the immunizations given to the child.

Also, write down the name and phone number of your child's regular doctor, and the name and number of the pharmacy where you regularly get your medication.

How do you prepare to go to the emergency room?

When you go to the emergency room with your child, it's important to know exactly what your child's current condition is . Keep these things in mind:

• When did this problem start? (e.g., when did the injury occur, or how long has the child been sick?)
• What are the current symptoms or nature of the injury ?
• What treatments and medications have you already been given at home ?
• When/what time did the child last eat or drink anything?

For example, if you suspect that your child has ingested a medicine or household chemical, be sure to take the bottle or packet of the medicine with you . This will help the doctor understand exactly what treatment to give. Also, if your child swallows something small (e.g. a piece of a toy, a coin), take another one with you if possible.

What to expect in the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?

There are a few things that usually happen when you go to an emergency room. It's best to be prepared to deal with these things without panicking.

I guess I'll have to wait a while.

In any emergency room, except in the most serious, life-threatening emergencies, others may have to wait a while . So don't panic. If you have some time before you go to the ETU , bring something to read while you wait. It's also a good idea to bring a pen and paper to write down any questions you have for the doctor. If your child is not too fussy, bring something to do while you wait (like crayons, books, toys, or a favorite stuffed animal). If you think your child will be admitted to the hospital, it's also a good idea to bring a change of clothes and a toothbrush for you and your child.

It is not possible to say exactly how long you will have to wait at the ETU . However, if your child has a severe medical problem , you can be confident that the doctors will provide the necessary treatment immediately.

Doctors tend to treat the most serious injuries and illnesses first, so if you have a minor injury , you may have to wait a little longer. Even if there is no one in the waiting room, if the exam rooms are full, or if many doctors and nurses are treating one serious patient, you may have to wait. The most important thing is to let the medical staff know right away if you feel your child's condition getting worse while you are waiting .

Triage and documentation

Shortly after you arrive at the ETU , a nurse will come and examine your child, ask about symptoms, check vital signs (e.g., fever, pulse rate), and perform a quick assessment. This is called triage . This involves sorting patients based on the severity of their condition and deciding who needs to be treated first.

You will also be taken through a `registration` process where you will be asked to sign `consent for treatment forms`. If you have health insurance, don't forget to bring that card too.

A few more things to know:

• Sometimes, doctors don't want to give your child anything to eat or drink (especially if it's going to be surgery). So, before giving your child anything to eat or drink, be sure to ask the medical staff if it's okay .
• If you go to the ETU on a weekend or at night, a specialist may not be there at that time. But if necessary, they will arrange to bring him in. If surgery is needed, a surgeon will be contacted.

How do you calm your child?

While you are waiting in the ` (ETU) `, you and your child may see very sick or injured people. Seeing such things, the noise and the amount of noise can be frightening for the child. Therefore, explain to your child that the emergency room of this hospital is the best place for sick or injured people, and that doctors will treat them here . If possible, give an example of a time when someone you know was injured and was scared at the time, but recovered after receiving treatment from the doctors.

Some hospitals have child life specialists who can help children cope with the stress of being in the ETU , prepare them for various medical tests, and teach them non-pharmacological pain management techniques.

What are the things to remember?

While you're at ` (ETU) `, try to write down some important information you hear. Things like:

• Names of treating doctors .
• What they say about your child's illness or injury .
• What medications or treatments are given to the child?
• Instructions on what to do after you go home (`follow-up`) or how to care for your child (`care at home`) .

When you write these down, it will be easier to remember things clearly later and to tell your family doctor.

What happens when you leave the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?

When your child is discharged from the hospital, make sure they understand the home care instructions . If something is unclear, don't hesitate to ask.

In most cases, the doctor who treated your child in the ETU will later notify your regular family doctor. If your child is admitted to the hospital, the emergency room doctor will notify your doctor .

Some emergency rooms provide written or electronic documentation right away, while others send the report to your family doctor later. Keep a copy of the discharge papers you are given and bring them with you when you visit your doctor.

Finally, what to remember (Take-Home Message)

While it's normal to feel anxious during an emergency, a little preparation can provide great relief for you and your child.

Remember, only go to the emergency room if it's a real emergency. Going to the emergency room for even a minor issue can delay the treatment someone needs.

Talk to your child's regular doctor and know in advance what to do and where to go in case of an emergency. Keep your child's medical information handy. Expect to wait a while when you go to the emergency room, but in serious cases, you will receive immediate treatment. Listen carefully to what the doctors say and write it down. Above all, your child will benefit greatly from your calmness .