The physicians and staff at Chilton Medical Center's Pediatric Emergency Department (ED) have mastered the art of reducing the fear a child has when he or she enters the ED. Phillip Devadan, MD, director of the Pediatric Emergency Department says, “We use a compassionate approach and specialized techniques to put both children and their parents at ease, including soothing artwork and using medications that don't involve a needle, whenever possible.”
The Children's Center, a specialty hybrid unit, consists of both pediatric emergency and inpatient beds. Chilton is only the second hospital in the state to offer a pediatric hybrid unit.
“The advantage of the hybrid unit is we always have a pediatrician on 24/7,” says Dr. Devadan. “The parents are able to come right into the unit and will have constant contact with the same staff, even if the child has to be admitted to the hospital.”
Knowing when to take a child to the Emergency Department is always a challenge for parents. Dr. Devadan says some things to look for include difficulty breathing as well as a prolonged fever lasting more than seven days.
“For extremity injuries, parents should notice if there is tenderness over the bone area or if they are unable to walk,” says Dr. Devadan. “Any sort of serious bleeding, head injuries, poison ingestions, episodes of vomiting where they’re dehydrated, new skin rashes, or allergies should also be seen in the Emergency Department.”
The Pediatric Emergency Department is proud of its average 20-minute wait time and sees patients up to 20 years of age. Dr. Devadan says the doctors and nurses on the unit are trained in pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine.
“Our family-friendly facility is designed to reduce children's anxiety and our expertly trained staff are devoted to the care of pediatric patients.”
For more information about the Pediatric Emergency Department at Chilton Medical Center, call 973-831-5394.