waiting room is nearly deserted. The children and teens who have come in are already receiving treatment. Compared to the longer waits in the adult ED, the average visit in the children’s ED is two and a half hours. Smith says most children receive routine care from their pediatrician. “We are available 24 hours a day for whatever needs a child has,” he says. “But a solid relationship with a primary care pediatrician is always invaluable to the healthcare of a child, and that physician should always be the first resource accessed with any problem. If the primary care pediatrician feels the child would be best served being seen in the PED (Pediatric Emergency Department) or if parents feel the child may be in danger, that’s the best time to come visit us.” Another positive aspect of the
children’s ED is continuity of care. If a child is admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the same physicians who provide care in the children’s ED also serve in the PICU. More important, the physicians and nurses have specialized training to care for children. Dr. Smith says that everyone in
the department is “very aware” of the special needs and fears of children in an emergency setting. “Distraction is always important, as is
play therapy in terms of calming children and alleviating fears,” he says. “We also understand the needs and fears of parents, as education is a big part of what we do. Most children are going to be fine, but we have to make sure the parents understand that and feel comfortable with what is going on.” The practice of general emergency
medicine and pediatric emergency medicine differ in many ways. Smith says that general emergency practitioners are like family practitioners in that they receive pediatric training and can competently care for and assess children. “The specific focus of the pediatric emergency medicine physician tends to lead to less pain and distress, fewer tests run and a better family focus,” Smith says. “Pediatric-trained physicians are more comfortable with child and family interactions and that leads to an improved quality of experience for everyone.”CV
CityViewNC.com | 45
