Wondering When to Take Your Child to the ER on the Central Coast?

As a parent or caretaker, it’s never easy to see a child sick or hurt. Handling the situation may feel challenging if you are unsure if a trip to the emergency room is necessary.

There are times when an urgent care clinic or your doctor’s office are the ideal settings to receive medical care. You should, however, take your child to an ER when potentially life-threatening conditions or extreme circumstances are present.

Next time you’re wondering when to take your child to the ER on the Central Coast, visit our emergency doctors and staff for personal care.

 

When to Take Your Child to a Dignity Health Central Coast ER

Seek immediate treatment in an ER if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms: 

  • Fever higher than 100.4 degrees in a newborn baby, more than 102.2 degrees in a toddler, or 102 degrees or higher for several days in an older child
  • Stiff neck with fever and headache
  • Severe dehydration, especially in a newborn
  • Serious head trauma
  • Vomiting blood
  • Suspected sexual or physical abuse
  • Fainting or difficulty breathing
  • Broken bone, especially if the bone has cut through the skin
  • Deep cut that has not stopped bleeding after 15 minutes of pressure
  • Rapid heartbeat that does not slow down
  • Inability to speak, move, or walk
  • Serious burn
  • Seizures
  • Severe allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis
  • Poisoning or suspected poisoning
  • Serious car accident injuries
  • Change in mental state or behavior, such as confusion or extreme sleepiness

There are also times when the best thing you can do is call 911 right away. A few examples of these types of situations include:

  • Poisoning
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Choking or inability to breathe
  • Spinal or neck injury
  • Seizures that last more than three minutes

Our Dignity Health Central Coast doctors understand that nothing is more important than keeping your child safe and healthy. Our emergency care providers are equipped to provide quality care geared specifically for your child or teen in our pediatric ERs.

 

Making the Decision to Take Your Child to the ER

Dignity Health Central Coast offers a range of options to fit your lifestyle and medical needs, no matter what time of day. You may determine that a regular appointment with your Dignity Health Central Coast doctor is the most appropriate way to get quality care for your child.

Following your visit to one of our pediatric ERs, Find a Doctor at Dignity Health for a long-term partner for your child’s nonemergency medical care on the Central Coast.

Dignity Health helps answer the question of “when to take your child to ER” on the Central Coast of California.