The Hospital Experience We have the same goal as the patient families who put their trust in us: to ensure that your child receives the absolute best care possible. Whether your child has yet to be born or is headed off to college, we aim for the best-case scenario for each of the more than 250,000 patients who come to us from the region and across the country. The emergency department at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center treats children and young people up to age 21 who need immediate medical care. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our emergency department is prepared to handle any infant, child, or adolescent’s medical emergency. We have patient-sized equipment to tailor our care to your child. This includes everything from the size of our beds to our lifesaving defibrillators customized for children to child-sized blood pressure cuffs. We also provide medications appropriate for a child’s age and weight, with systems in place to assure quick access to the highest level of care. These things and many more make it possible for our physicians and nurses to provide the best care for our patients. Our physicians and nurses are specially trained in pediatric emergency medicine and have additional expertise in easing your child’s anxiety or concerns that might come with emergencies. They are skilled at: Explaining what is happening to your child during treatment Understanding that children often react differently than adults to medical settings Providing instruction on how to care for your child when you get home Assessing the unique treatment needs of children and teenagers Tests, Treatments, And Services Available Radiology and laboratory services: Imaging tests (e.g., X-rays, computed tomography scans) and lab tests (e.g., blood draws or urine samples) allow us to check for signs of broken bones, tumors, or signs of illness. Child life: Child life specialists help you and your family navigate the hospital and manage the stress that comes with an emergency. They make the hospital a more positive and less frightening place for your child. Respiratory therapy: Respiratory therapists assess, treat, and monitor your child if they have heart or lung problems that may require breathing assistance with a ventilator (machine to help breathe) or medical gases (e.g., oxygen). Social work: Social work staff members provide emotional support and counseling, as well as advocate for you and your child. Pastoral and spiritual care: Clinically trained chaplains are available at all times to provide spiritual care to you and your child. Case management: Your child’s needs will be assessed and continually monitored. We will work with various specialists to implement a treatment plan designed to meet your child’s unique needs.