In a kid’s emergency: Don’t wait

If your child has an emergency, get to the ER — our children’s hospital is safe for kids and families during the COVID-19 crisis. Plus, delaying care can cause problems. 

“We realize that families may be worried about bringing their children to the hospital,” says Opher Nadler, M.D., an ER doctor with Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.

“During this time, we want to make sure we are here for you, keeping your child safe and prioritizing your family’s health.” 

Extra steps for safety

Dr. Nadler, medical director of the Children’s Emergency Department, says that the hospital has taken extra steps as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

The Children’s Emergency Department has:

• Separate area in the ER for those with respiratory (breathing) problems and those with other issues
• A process to make sure that children with signs of COVID-19 are placed in patient rooms promptly
• Limits on visiting
• Extra cleaning
• A system that keeps fresh air moving in and out
• Screening for visitors and staff entering the hospital

Delaying care may cause problems

Dr. Nadler says that during the COVID-19 outbreak the hospital has seen cases in which children were not taken to the ER right away.

Often these cases result in complications or difficulties for the staff to treat — from broken bones that needed more work to infections that spread across different parts of the body. 

“In an emergency, don’t delay care,” he says. “If you are not sure if it is an emergency, please call your doctor.”
 
Also, see our ER or urgent care page to help you know where to go for the right care.

Media: Kristin Whitney