Emergency Medicine

This specialty focuses on medical treatment for critically injured children and/or children with severe or life-threatening conditions that require immediate attention to preserve life or stabilize health. Physicians in the Emergency Department provide care for a wide array of acute illnesses, injuries and critical situations affecting infants, children and adolescents, such as:

a child struck by an automobile
a teen with an asthma attack
a victim of child abuse
a jaundiced newborn with a fever
a hypothermic child after a near-drowning episode

Hoops Family Children's Hospital offers a dedicated lobby space and seven new treatment rooms for pediatric emergency patients from across the region.

The staff is experienced in stabilizing and managing critically and acutely ill children experiencing problems such as respiratory distress, fever, fractures, laceration repair, abdominal pain, vomiting, dehydration and/or seizures. Communication with parents is a key part of the process, and compassionate professionals keep the family informed and facilitate appropriate follow-up.

Pediatric Emergency Room

The Emergency Department at Cabell Huntington Hospital admits children to the Hoops Family Children's Hospital as appropriate. Because a visit to the Emergency Department can be a stressful experience for both children and parents, we have established a designated space in our Emergency Department lobby for our youngest patients.

Learn more below about our process so you can be prepared for your child's visit.

The first step is to sign in at the window so the staff knows you are here for treatment as well as the nature of your health concern.

Triage

The first person your child will see is the triage nurse, who assesses each patient's condition and prioritizes them according to their clinical urgency. This means that, although you may have arrived before other patients, you may not necessarily be treated before them. For example, regardless of who arrived first, a child with severe burns will be treated before a child with a rash. Our goal is to keep waiting times short, and you will be given updates as often as possible. If you think that your child's condition is worsening and he or she needs immediate care, please let the nurse know.

The pediatric emergency room lobby is a newly renovated space designed to match the rest of the children’s hospital complete with colorful seating and an interactive gaming system called BEAM™, an award-winning installation that turns any physical space to an immersive and active environment for children older than age two.

Treatment Area

Hoops Family Children's Hospital at Cabell Huntington Hospital offers a dedicated lobby space and seven new treatment rooms for pediatric emergency patients from across the region.

After triage, you and your child will be escorted to a treatment room for medical care. A nurse will take your child's medical history and answer your questions. Then your child will be evaluated by a physician, who will determine the treatment plan for your child. If necessary, blood work and other tests such as X-rays may also be performed. To keep young patients at ease, parents are encouraged to stay with their children.

Registration

The registration desk is located to the left of the main Emergency Department entrance. The registration clerk will obtain basic information and verify insurance information at the bedside in the treatment room. Please wait patiently as patient volume may be high, which may result in delays.

Treatment Plan

The physician will discuss your child's treatment plan with you. If your child requires admission to the hospital, the purpose of the admission will be explained.

When your child is ready to go home, you will be given discharge instructions and any prescriptions that have been ordered, as well as any recommendations for follow-up care. Information about your child's visit to the ED will be forwarded to his or her primary care physician. If you don't have a primary care physician, we'll be glad to refer you to one.

Hospital Admission

If your child is admitted, he or she will stay in the Pediatric Unit, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit or the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Fast Facts about our Emergency Department

Critically-ill patients are always the priority, regardless of who has been waiting longer.
We're open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
No appointments are necessary.
We cannot give medical advice over the telephone. Feel free to come to the Emergency Department at any time or call your primary care physician for medical advice.
Both parents may stay with young children.
Interpreters are available by phone.