Level I Pediatric Trauma Center
CHKD's Emergency Center is home to the first and only Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center in Hampton Roads, offering the highest level of care available to trauma patients under the age of 15. Our comprehensive team of pediatric
emergency medicine specialists, surgeons, nurses, therapists and other clinicians takes care of trauma patients from the time of injury through
rehabilitation. And those same emergency medicine specialists are here for every medical emergency your child faces.
About The Emergency Center
We hope you'll take a few minutes to learn about our pediatric emergency center, so you'll know in advance where to go if an emergency ever arises with your children.
Our emergency center is located on the first floor of the hospital. It has its own entrance and parking, at the Raleigh Avenue side of the hospital.
It's best to call your doctor before you visit the emergency center.
Who Will Help Care For Your Child?
Children who come to CHKD's Emergency Center are cared for by specialists - pediatricians, nurses and technicians - who are especially trained to understand and meet the unique needs of children. Here are some of the people who may help take care of your child while you're here:
- Physicians: An attending physician is in charge of your child's care for this visit. Other physicians and physicians-in-training (residents) may also see your child.
- Triage Nurse: This is the first nurse to see your child.
- Registered Nurse (RN):This nurse takes direct care of your child.
- Technicians:Sometimes technicians help by checking blood pressure, taking blood samples for the lab or doing X-rays. They work with the nurse to provide direct care for your child.
- Nurse Practitioner:This nurse works with the physician to plan and deliver care to your child.
- Respiratory Therapist: This person helps children with breathing problems.
- Pharmacist: This person provides the necessary prescribed drugs you child will require.
Others you may come in contact with during your visit
- Child life specialist: This person is specially trained to communicate with your child, giving explanations your child can understand, providing emotional support and helping to ease your child's fears through play therapy.
- Patient relations specialist: This person may let you know why you are waiting and will answer questions to make your visit as comfortable as possible.
- Registrars: They register your child to the CHKD emergency center or the hospital.
- Support associates: They help to keep the Emergency Center clean and stocked with supplies needed to care for your child.
Triage Team
This is the first area you come to when you enter CHKD's emergency center. The triage nurse will take care of your child's immediate medical needs, such as placing a bandage on an open wound, applying ice, or providing fever or pain medication. The triage nurse will record your child's weight, temperature, heart and breathing rate, and blood pressure.
The triage nurse briefly examines your child to help decide what to do next. The nurse will also ask you a few questions about your child's health. The nurse then decides which patients will be seen first, according to whom is the sickest. The triage nurse, with the help of a triage 2 nurse or paramedic, decides where patients will be seen in the CHKD emergency center (whether in fast track or the main treatment area).
After Triage
After triage, you will go to the main waiting area. Soon, a staff member at the registration desk will call your child's name. The registrar will ask your name, address, and child's
insurance information. Guardianship papers or written permission from the child's parent will be needed if you are not the parent. A medical record will be made and a name band will be placed on the child's wrist or ankle.
Waiting Area
You will wait in the waiting area for your child's name to be called for treatment.
For your convenience, the following are available in the waiting area:
- Vending machines
- Reading material
- Toys and a television
- Rest rooms
Minor Care
Minor care is where children with less serious injuries and illnesses receive care. Minor care wait times vary depending on the number of children being seen. A nurse practitioner or a physician may see your child.
Treatment Room
You and your child will be escorted to a treatment room as soon as one is available. Two adults are allowed in the treatment room with the child. We ask that one adult remain with the child at all times.
Special treatment areas of the emergency center:
- Special treatment rooms
- Suture room -- where cuts get fixed
- Cast room -- where broken bones get fixed
- Resuscitation room -- where seriously ill patients are stabilized
- ENT room -- where ear, nose, throat and dental emergencies are treated
What to expect when you and your child go into a treatment room:
- A doctor and nurse will examine your child.
- Your child may have tests done by a technician (such as blood or urine tests).
- Your child may go to a room nearby to have
X-rays taken.
- Your child may be connected to a heart monitor.
- Your child will get the treatment he or she requires at the time, according to his or her specific emergency needs.
Reasons you may have to wait in the CHKD emergency center after seeing the doctor:
- If
Lab and X-ray tests were done, we must wait for the results.
- Your child is receiving treatment.
- Your child is being observed after receiving treatment.
- Other patients with more serious injuries or illnesses are being seen.
- Your child may need to be admitted to the hospital and arrangements are being made to get a bed in an appropriate place in the hospital.
- Your child has to be seen by a special doctor or by his/her private doctor.
- Your child has to be seen in one of the specialty treatment rooms of the emergency center.
What to Bring with You to the Emergency Center
- Legal custody or guardianship papers*
- Your child's shot records
- Containers of medication your child is taking
- Your child's favorite toy, book or blanket
- If you suspect your child may have swallowed something dangerous, bring the container of that material
- Information about your child's insurance
* If you are not the legal guardian, please bring a written note from the parent giving you permission to seek treatment for this child.
Before You Leave
Before you leave the CHKD emergency center, be sure you have received a written copy of the discharge instructions.
Here are some things we will tell you to make sure you understand the care we've provided:
- What is wrong with your child
- What you need to do at home
- How much and for how long to give medication (if necessary)
- When and where to have a follow-up exam
- Who to call if you have problems once you leave
It's important that you stay until your child is discharged. But, if you must leave before you are discharged, please tell one of the CHKD emergency center staff before you leave.
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