If you are a parent, you recognize the need for specialized pediatric emergency care that is different from that an adult receives when entering an emergency room. Parents magazine recently named UI Children's Hospital as one of the best children's hospitals in the country, commending the Emergency Treatment Center at UI Hospitals and Clinics for its high quality care.
Charles Jennissen, MD director of pediatric emergency medicine at UI Children's Hospital, talks about pediatric emergency medicine:
How long has UI Hospitals and Clinics offered specialized pediatric emergency treatment services?
We've always treated children in our emergency room, but we began offering specialized pediatric emergency treatment services in 2003. This was an initiative of our present interim Department Head of Emergency Medicine, Andy Nugent, who wanted to improve the medical care we delivered to children in our emergency room at that time. We were also launching the state's only Emergency Medicine Residency program and wanted to provide our residents with specialized pediatric emergency medicine training, as well. So the timing was perfect to usher in these specialized services in 2003.
How is the emergency treatment center setup for a child different from that of an adult? Why is that important?
It is very important to be able to provide emergency room care in a family-centered care environment for children. The new Emergency Treatment Center was designed to improve our ability to do just that. The waiting area is decorated in a pediatric friendly manner with flat screen TVs, a large fish tank, family rest rooms, and we have areas divided from the main waiting area where families can separate themselves from others in the waiting room.
We also have coloring books, toys, and mobile fun centers that have DVD and Nintendo GameCube players to help occupy our patients and their families while in the Emergency Room. We often have volunteers who help increase our customer service to families by providing them with such things as beverages and warm blankets.
It's an old adage but children are different from adults and the Emergency Treatment Center is setup to provide critical medical care to children. We have a separate pediatric trauma room with ready equipment that is sized for children. We also have separate pediatric crash carts that are color coded and organized with the appropriate equipment for children based on their weight so there is really no confusion during an emergency.
Are pediatric emergency rooms at UI Hospitals and Clinics designed to help families be with their children in a medical emergency? In what way?
The Emergency Treatment Center has a separate area designated for pediatric patients so that children and their families can be kept away from the more critical adult patients. The rooms have been designed to comfortably accommodate families and we always encourage caretakers to stay with their children during procedures, as much as possible.
How does having a family member near a child in a critical situation benefit the child?
Almost all children are comforted by having a parent or another family caregiver near them when they are being evaluated or treated for any injury or illness. Not all parents are comfortable with this role so we try to assist family members in being more knowledgeable and confident in providing support during their child's medical care.
Are all staff members that work with pediatric patients in UI Hospitals and Clinics emergency room specialized in pediatric care?
All of our physicians are emergency care specialists who are skilled in providing emergency care to children and we have some staff physicians who are true specialists in pediatric care. In addition, all of the nurses in the emergency room are specially trained in pediatrics and have completed the Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course, the Neonatal Resuscitation Program, and also the Pediatric Advance Life Support Course.
Do all emergency treatment centers in Iowa also have specialized pediatric emergency care and staff?
No they don't, so the University of Iowa Children's Hospital is very happy to be able to provide these services to Eastern Iowa through our Emergency Treatment Center. |
