 “Parents may need help in making the decision about the care their child needs,” says Karen L. Kamachi, MD, Chair, Pediatrics at Salinas Valley Memorial. “That’s why most local pediatricians and family doctors have ‘after hours’ phone numbers where they can be reached for consultation. If emergency care is required, I refer the parents to Salinas Valley Memorial’s Emergency Department. And they have a dedicated Pediatrics Department with pediatric-certified nurses when hospitalization is needed.”
“It’s not always easy to tell real emergencies from what we call manageable conditions,” says Nuala Rippere, RN, Director of Emergency Services for Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System. “As a parent myself, I can understand that when a child is sick, especially when they’re too young to talk, you want the most immediate solution. Generally, a call to my pediatrician helps prevent unnecessary trips to the Emergency Department.”
The Emergency Department at Salinas Valley Memorial has specialized staff, procedures and equipment tailored to the smaller size and lower weight of young children. The Emergency Department physicians are all Board Certified and specially trained for pediatric emergencies. Physicians and nurses will confer with the child’s pediatrician or family doctor who is most familiar with the child’s medical history. They draw on the technology and expertise available throughout the healthcare system when treating specific types of conditions. For example, ED physicians can call on one of the three neonatologists who provide around-the-clock coverage at the hospital.
Immediate, priority access to advanced technology within the hospital supports ED staff in assessing the problem and planning treatment. CT scans, for example, help speed the process of identifying appendicitis in children. Digital x-ray technology makes images instantly available, and they can be transmitted to a pediatrician, family doctor or other specialist for review on-line.
“The most common reasons parents bring their children to the ED are related to respiratory conditions such as upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma,” says James Stubblefield, MD, Director of Emergency Medicine for Salinas Valley Memorial. “As parents and their children learn to recognize the symptoms earlier on, they can better manage the condition to avoid an emergency situation. A good example is Asthma Day Camp. We have seen a significant reduction in the number of times we see the same child for asthma related illnesses in those families who participate in the camp.”
“During well-child visits, I make a point of discussing how parents can treat fevers and common respiratory illnesses,” says Sumana Reddy, FAAFP, Chair, Family Medicine at Salinas Valley Memorial. “This better prepares them and helps prevent late-night anxiety. When a child’s condition necessitates admission to the hospital, I appreciate the  excellent communication between the ED staff, pediatric nursing staff and the admitting physician. This gives parents comfort in knowing that their child is in good hands.”
Emergency medicine specialists talk with the parents and provide written information that is specific to the child’s condition, in English or Spanish. If the child has a chronic condition such as asthma, they discuss ways to prevent the symptoms from getting out of control.
“Our leadership in technology and our skilled team of healthcare professionals mean that parents can count on all of us at Salinas Valley Memorial to care for their children, from premature newborns through young adults,” says Sam Downing, President/CEO. “And our strong affiliations and community partnerships mean that we can immediately call upon additional resources as they are needed.” |
