Learn how to Deal with Pediatric Emergencies in New York Throughout COVID-19

**As of April 15 NYU Langone’s Hassenfeld Youngsters’s Hospital is open for non-COVID emergencies. Pressing care video visits with a care supplier are additionally obtainable for youngsters ages 5 and older.**

Pediatric Emergencies in New York

With New York being the epicenter of COVID-19, many dad and mom understandably have been involved about tips on how to method a pediatric emergency state of affairs for his or her youngster in New York.

Lauren of Brooklyn, mother of two, shared, “I hold reminding my kids to be additional cautious to not get harm as a result of we are able to’t go to the hospital.” Whereas Robert, a father of three, commented: ” I’m not frightened; we now have an amazing pediatrician who I do know will lead us in the fitting path if there may be an emergency.”

Is there trigger for concern? Whereas hospitals are overwhelmed with the pandemic, surprisingly, most pediatric emergency rooms usually are not overcrowded. We spoke with Physician Chris Kelly, MD, Chief of Pediatric Emergency Medication at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. Dr. Kelly shared that COVID-19 is “protecting folks away from the emergency room.” He continues, “first, if potential, contact your main physician or have a telemedicine name immediately because the emergency room ought to be used for the very sick.” Physician Kelly additionally suggests utilizing logic coupled with father or mother intuition. “Rush to the ER in case your youngster has vital hassle respiration, indicators of dehydration, not urinating at a standard quantity — principally not being themselves.” And whereas dad and mom could hesitate to go to the emergency room, know that “all private and sufferers are masked and at a hospital similar to NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. We’re making pediatric emergency visits similar to getting stitches carried out effectively to get the kid out and in as quick as potential.”

We additionally touch-based with Queen’s doctor Dr. Lashley of Allied Physicians Group, the place he and greater than 150 different medical practitioners of Allied see 1000’s of sufferers every week. Physician Lashley is Board Licensed by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a Fellow within the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Nassau Academy of Medication.

1. New York’s hospitals are in deep disaster mode and preventing to avoid wasting COVID-19 sufferers. How do dad and mom deal with a pediatric emergency for his or her kids?

Firstly, most unbiased pediatricians and their practices are working very exhausting to maintain sufferers out of the hospital to ease the pressure on the Hospital System. A affected person’s pediatrician is greatest ready to work with a affected person and the affected person’s household. Pediatricians, when they’re on the workplace, and in some instances when working remotely, have entry to the affected person’s medical data. That is useful for figuring out if a state of affairs could be managed by a telehealth go to, workplace go to, or if a father or mother must take a toddler to the hospital. Many unbiased pediatricians and first care docs are making a concerted effort to be obtainable, and are making themselves obtainable 24/7 through telehealth. Utilizing telemedicine, pediatricians are capable of deal with most sufferers’ issues and issues and ship solely the very sick to the hospital or specialist when wanted.

2. Are Pressing Cares facilities a helpful useful resource for pediatric emergencies as many alleged coronavirus sufferers are inclined to go to those care facilities for assist?

Pressing Care facilities usually are not a great place for pediatric sufferers to obtain care. These medical suppliers have no idea a affected person’s historical past and don’t guarantee continuity of care and observe up. Usually, on this setting, sufferers usually are not seen by a pediatric specialist. Antibiotics are way more overused by Pressing Care facilities and extra appropriately given by main care practitioners. For an harm similar to a damaged arm, the father or mother ought to name the kid’s pediatrician first. If this isn’t potential, the kid ought to be taken to a hospital emergency room/division. Hospitals proper now have the suitable protocols and protections in place for non-coronavirus sufferers. Pressing Care facilities doubtless don’t have the staffing and the power to separate sufferers.

three. What constitutes a pediatric emergency versus a name to your youngster’s pediatrician?

An emergency means a toddler wants care instantly; on this case, they need to be taken to an emergency room, or 911 ought to be referred to as. Examples are bleeding, harm, dangerous respiratory issues, a seizure, or extreme accident. Fevers and sicknesses are normally higher handled by pediatricians. Usually involved dad and mom can name their pediatrician 24/7. If a father or mother can not get by means of to their Physician, they need to name 911 or take the kid to the hospital emergency division.

four. Are there hospitals which can be operating as non-coronavirus care hospitals?

Because of the extraordinary stress on the healthcare system, it’s “All Fingers On Deck.” Which means all hospitals are accepting COVID-19 sufferers and utilizing all their assets simply to maintain the sick alive proper now. Major care docs and pediatricians are doing our greatest to alleviate the pressure on the system. We aren’t conscious of any non-coronavirus hospitals. All New York hospitals are ready for non-coronavirus sufferers.

5. With coronavirus overtaking some areas/boroughs similar to Queens, how does a father or mother take care of a non-COVID-19 pediatric emergency?

Initially, pediatric sufferers are doing extraordinarily nicely within the COVID disaster. Youngsters usually are not being admitted to hospitals in droves, and only a few ventilators are at the moment being utilized by pediatric sufferers. Most kids have a really gentle sickness and are simply cared for at house. Non-COVID-19 emergencies are nonetheless being handled by EMS and Youngsters’s Hospitals. Non-COVID-19 sufferers are getting nice care, and excessive measures are put in place to ensure they don’t catch the coronavirus whereas within the hospital. Nevertheless, if in any respect potential, we recommend that folks name their youngster’s main care physician previous to an ambulance or displaying up on the Emergency Division. Many pediatricians can be found on-call by means of the evening.

For extra data or to e book an appointment with Dr. Lashley go to, islandpediatricassociates.com

Psst.. need to know what to anticipate in a telemedicine appointment? Take a look at our submit on Pediatric Digital Appointments Throughout COVID-19 in New York: Every thing You Have to Know.