What parents should do in a medical emergency

If your child breaks a bone struggles to breathe or suffers frightening thoughts that tell them life isn t worth living will you know how to help them These are examples of anatomical emergencies that parents and family members must be ready to manage A anatomical urgency is defined as any point when a sudden injury or illness could end a child s life or severely harm their fitness Injuries are the number one cause of death among kids in the U S so families need to prepare themselves to act when seconds count The largest part common injuries seen in kids and teens include falls car and recreation bus crashes drowning poisoning burns suffocation sports injuries and dog bites In the U S more children and teens die from injuries than from cancer birth defects and all other causes combined This is a serious vitality difficulty that necessities a better approach And not all healthcare emergencies stem from sudden injuries Children may need crisis care when existing medical conditions flare up For example a child with asthma or allergies might struggle to breathe even after rescue medications are given Kids with diabetes can go into shock when their blood sugar spikes and children with epilepsy can have severe seizures that call for quick physiological attention If your child is sick or hurt but doesn t seem to be in serious danger it s usually best to reach out to their professional first Do call without delay if your child or teen is struggling to or can t breathe is having a seizure loses consciousness is bleeding uncontrollably sustained a serious burn ingested something poisonous or is witness to or the victim of a serious crime If you re not sure what s wrong but you believe your child is in danger call The operator will ask questions and guide you through the next actions in finding the care your child may need An crisis department that is properly prepared to care for any ill or injured child is called pediatric-ready A pediatric-ready crisis department has the ability to stabilize and transfer your child to a trauma hospital Unfortunately several U S hospital emergency departments aren t fully equipped to care for injured children They may not have the right-sized equipment or training to provide the best and safest care In the worst cases young lives are lost to a lack of materials training or staff Children who survive may suffer worse soundness outcomes than those treated in hospitals staffed and prepared to treat injured children In addition several kids face obstacles to getting the quick effective trauma recovery they need The American Academy of Pediatrics calls for a stronger pediatric trauma care system in the U S This starts with injury prevention programs focused on babies children and teens Improved exigency response systems coupled with better hospital remedy transfers between hospitals when needed and effective post-injury care can help all injured kids recover and thrive For immediate help over the phone there are a limited phone numbers parents and care providers should know is the nations Suicide Situation Lifeline where trained counselors are available to help anyone facing a mental fitness situation Parents support workers and family members can call text or chat to find urgent care for a child or teen experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions emotional outbursts extreme anxiety or a desire to harm others If your child swallows something that could be toxic call Poison Control at - - for immediate help even if they show no signs or markers of sickness Attainable poisons include household cleaners and air fresheners nail polish remover medicines meant for someone else yard and garden chemicals gasoline or antifreeze liquid nicotine or cannabis from vapes batteries especially coin-shaped batteries and magnets Have the package of what your child swallowed in hand when you call This will help the operator pinpoint promising dangers and advise you how to find care near you While you wait for help to arrive stay as calm as you can This will help your child manage their own feelings If your child is not breathing give rescue breaths If their heart has stopped apply CPR or find someone who can If your child is bleeding apply steady pressure to the site with a clean cloth If your child is having a seizure precisely place them on the floor with their head and body turned to the side Do not put anything in their mouth Once you have called for crisis assistance do not move an injured child unless they are in immediate danger Stay with your child until help arrives and bring any medicines they regularly take with you to the hospital When you get to the crisis department share your pediatrician s name and contact information with the crisis band This helps coordinate care with your child s clinician which can make a major difference in helping them recover To help prepare for the possibility of a biological crisis parents and family members can benefit from learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR The American Red Cross offers CPR training in nearly every locality Additionally the American Heart Association offers a CPR class geared to the requirements of friends and family Mary E Fallat MD FACS FAAP is Professor of Surgery at the University of Louisville and a pediatric surgeon at Norton Children s Hospital Katherine Flynn-O Brien MD MPH FACS is a pediatric surgeon and the Trauma and Burn Medicinal Director at Children s Wisconsin Tribune News Institution