At Baptist Health Care, caring for your family — at times when you need us most — is what we do best. Our pediatricians are also trained in emergency medicine, so we are prepared to care for your children when they are ill or injured, no matter how severe their condition.
Our Mission is to help your family throughout life’s journey, beginning in the early years. Pediatric emergency doctors diagnose and treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries in toddlers, children and adolescents in our combined emergency room (ER) and urgent care centers. Our staff has special training to soothe and calm children who may feel scared or anxious during their visit.
Baptist Emergency Room & Urgent Care locations offer a fast, convenient way for your family to get quality medical care without an appointment. We have the advanced equipment needed to care for patients who are at least 1 year of age.
SIGNS OF AN EMERGENCY
Call 911 right away if your child stops breathing or loses consciousness, or if you fear their life is in danger. Do not drive your child to the hospital. Calling 911 allows paramedics to begin critical treatment for your child in the ambulance during the drive to the ER.
Our emergency-trained pediatricians treat these common conditions, as well as a range of other illnesses:
- Persistent fever
- Severe infections
- Breathing difficulties
- Severe pain
- Dehydration
- Seizures
- Allergic reactions
- Fractures
- Head injuries
- Burns
- Poisoning
- Complications of chronic illnesses
- Lacerations and open wounds
- Animal bites and puncture wounds
- Sprains
- Foreign objects removal
Early detection of an illness is key to preventing it from getting worse or becoming so serious that could cause lasting harm to your child. Symptoms of a medical emergency include:
- Any head injury
- Difficulty breathing
- High fever
- Loss of alertness or consciousness
- Rhythmic jerking
- Turning blue
- Unusual behavior or sudden low energy
Common accidents that can cause serious injuries in children include:
- Bicycle accident
- Burn
- Car wreck
- Choking
- Drowning
- Electric shock
- Fall
- Overdosing on a toxic substance
If your child has a serious accident or shows warning signs of any emergency listed above, call 911 right away. Baptist Health Care emergency rooms are open 24 hours a day, every day.
SYMPTOMS NEEDING URGENT CARE
Open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, Baptist Health Care urgent care locations provide these and other services to children over 1 year old:
- Imaging
- Lab tests
- Minor illnesses
- Minor injuries
- Prescriptions (Note: We do not prescribe narcotics or other controlled substances.)
- Referral to a specialist
- Routine immunizations
- School examinations
- Sports physicals
Our combined emergency and urgent care services take the guesswork out of what level of care your child may need. When you visit a Baptist Emergency Room & Urgent Care location, our emergency-trained staff will assess your child to be sure they get the appropriate level of care. And if you visit while our urgent care center is open, you’ll only pay for the services (urgent care vs. emergency room) used to treat your child.
WHAT TO BRING TO THE ER
Being prepared before an emergency happens can help your child at a time when every minute counts. Bring these items with you when you visit us:
- List of your child’s current medications
- Your child’s medical history
- Your health insurance card
- Name, practice and phone number for your child’s pediatrician
The doctor will ask for a sequence of events that led to your visit. As a parent or guardian, you are the best advocate for your child. If you have concerns about their health or well-being, don’t hesitate to speak up. Ask questions and don’t leave our facility until you understand how to give your child the best care at home during their recovery.
After you return home, call your child’s pediatrician to inform them about the diagnosis. The pediatrician may want to see your child for a follow-up exam to be sure they are recovering as expected.
