::How to handle an Emergency::

7. Medical emergencies – questions to ask the doctor about how to handle an emergency
• What is the quickest way to reach your doctor in an emergency?
• Learn the steps your health plan requires in an emergency.
• Which is the best emergency department in your community?
• For children? Trauma Center? Burn Center?
• With which hospital(s) does the doctor have an affiliation?
• Is there specific information you should give to paramedics and emergency room doctors and nurses? For example, about the baby’s medical history? Medications? Treatment?
• Is there specific medical information about the baby you should carry at all times?
• Are there CPR and first-aid courses in your community that the doctor can recommend?

Call 9-1-1 if your baby :

• Is unconscious or losing consciousness
• Has trouble breathing
• Is bleeding
• Is injured; appears in pain
• Is having a seizure
• Has a possible broken bone or a dislocated shoulder
• Has been burned
• Has a warning sign the baby’s doctor has told you requires hospital emergency care
• Has swallowed or inhaled poison

8. How to make a difference in an emergency
• Trust your instincts.
• If you think there is an emergency, there probably is. Doing nothing is the worst thing you can do. Act immediately! Even if a family member may want you to wait–insist on taking action.
• Call for emergency help first. Do not first call your doctor, or a friend, relative or neighbors for help – that will only delay getting professional help. The emergency department doctor will call your doctor for information.
• Ask questions in the emergency department. If you don’t understand a procedure or test, ask the doctor or nurse to explain it to you.
• Understand any consent form you are asked to sign.
• Learn warning signs of medical emergencies.
• If your baby has a medical condition, learn the warning signs that mean emergency care is needed. Ask your baby’s doctor the warning signs to watch out for.
• Familiarize yourself with the nearest emergency department to your home and day care center.
• Find out the exact location and layout, the entrance you would use, and where you can park if you were to drive there. You’ll feel a little more at home if you must later return under emergency circumstances.
• An emergency department should always provide treatment to stabilize a life-or limb-threatening emergency.
• Don’t set up a programmable phone to dial emergency help automatically. Although it sounds like a great idea, the number may be accidentally dialed instead of another pre-programmed number.