Sneak Peek Into Emergency Care; What To Expect In An Emergency Room

July 29, 2019

Any emergency is a highly stressful moment. You don't know when it will strike, but when it does, you want to know that everything is going to be alright. Today, we let you in on what to expect when you visit the emergency room so you can be prepared when you need to be.

What happens on arrival

In an emergency, patients are attended to according to the severity of their condition. This is the case whether you visit the emergency room of a hospital or your local urgent care center. Everyone has a reason to visit an emergency room, but patients with serious problems are seen first. To determine how serious your child's problem is, a triage nurse will evaluate them.

The nurse will get to you and your little one as soon as possible and lead you to the examination room if your child's condition requires them to lie down. They will take your child's pulse, temperature, and blood pressure. The nurse will also ask for a brief medical history if you have not been treated in the family urgent care center before. As you are being examined, it is advisable to have a family member visit the registration desk.

An emergency is unpredictable and many things can go wrong. To serve you better, the nurse may not administer pain medication. Pain medication will only be administered once the cause of your child's problem has been determined.

Sometimes, your child may need to use the bathroom as you wait to be examined. Make sure you check in with the ER or urgent care center nurse as urine samples may be required for tests. It is also wise to ask before you give your child anything to eat.

The Examination

Visiting a pediatric urgent care center comes with one significant advantage. They have a pediatrician on-site to attend to your child. While a nurse may be the first respondent to your situation, your child will be examined and treated by a pediatrician.

Your little one may be required to undress and put on a hospital gown to make examination easier. If need be, they will be attached to a monitoring device so the pediatrician can monitor their vital organs.

The Need For Tests

An emergency situation can take any direction, and one of the most common courses is having tests done. Depending on your child's condition, the pediatrician may order an X-ray, blood test, or a urine test. Urgent care facilities have laboratories that can handle these tests, so rest assured your child is well taken care of.

It is common for parents not to understand the need for a procedure, so always ask the nurse or pediatrician. Obtaining results may take some time. The pediatrician will explain the results to you and recommend additional tests only if it is necessary.

The Treatment

Treatment is highly dependent on the complexity of your child's condition. It could last anywhere from a few minutes or several hours. Once your child has received treatment, the pediatrician may prescribe medication. Be sure to follow the prescription instructions strictly.

Discharge

Once everything is settled, a nurse will give you a discharge sheet. You are ready to take your little one home and take care of them from there. Do not leave the urgent care center with unanswered questions. Always ask the pediatrician or nurse before you go. Most urgent care centers accept insurance and will handle all paperwork for you. Urgent care centers expect payment for all services before you are discharged, so be sure to have cash with you if you don't have insurance. The services are fairly affordable and are based on the care you need.

Urgent care centers receive an estimated 3 million patients each week, so be patient as you wait your turn (according to a study by the Urgent Care Association of America).

Now that you know what to expect when you visit the urgent care center be sure to carry all the documents you need during your visit to the ER.