Going to the hospital for emergency care can be a stressful experience for anyone, especially children. That’s why the Pediatric Emergency Room at Northwest Community Hospital has played such a vital role for more than 100,000 kids and their families. The Pediatric ER celebrated its 10th anniversary last week.
“The special environment we created just for kids in March 2001 has gone a long way in making them more comfortable when emergency care is needed,” said Barbara Weintraub, director of the ER. “The Pediatric ER is separate from the main emergency room, providing a quiet space that’s specifically designed for children.”
Toys, games and puzzles are available to keep kids happy and occupied, and each pediatric treatment bay features a television and child-friendly décor.
All physicians and nurses in the Pediatric ER are specially trained in pediatric emergency care, knowing there are important differences between treating adults and children. Child-sized equipment is used, and doctors follow guidelines for weight-appropriate medications.
NCH is the only hospital in the northwest suburbs with a Pediatric ER staffed full-time by board-certified specialists from Children’s Memorial Hospital. Whatever the emergency, parents can rest assured their child will receive world-class pediatric care in a kid-friendly environment, close to home.
“Treating children and families in a dedicated pediatric area helps ease the anxiety of both,” Weintraub said. “Having a dedicated Pediatric ER staff ensures that the needs of everyone are met, which leads to a less traumatic experience for all involved.”
NCH’s Pediatric ER, which moved into a newly renovated and expanded space in May 2010, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. It treated more than 12,000 patients last year. Children’s Memorial pediatric specialists are on-site 24/7 to see children for consultations in the main ER when the Pediatric ER is closed.
For more information about Northwest Community Hospital and its service offerings for children, visit www.nch.org/kids.