Pediatric Emergency Department

For young patients, a trip to the emergency department can be especially frightening and stressful. At St. John’s Mercy, the new Pediatric Emergency Department (ED) was designed with the young patient in mind. Children who are seen in the ED will go to a separate treatment area that is focused on pediatric emergency care.

They will check in at the pediatric triage area and wait in a child-friendly waiting area that is decorated with designs from the Rainbow Fish book series. Following the book’s beautiful artwork, the waiting room/play area has oceanthemed murals on the walls, colorful matted flooring, twinkling lights in the ceiling and a large saltwater aquarium stocked with exotic fish. The Rainbow Fish theme is carried out in each of the 12 pediatric rooms, including designs on the ceiling to keep their attention while young patients are lying down.

While the new Pediatric Emergency Department’s environment is friendly and playful, the medical care is nothing short of advanced. There are 12 treatment rooms, including four trauma rooms and a room with video-monitoring capability. Each room is equipped with nitrous oxide, allowing physicians to manage patients’ pain more easily and effectively.

 

In addition to innovative technology, the Pediatric Emergency Department staff are specially trained in pediatrics. There is a core group of doctors and nurse practitioners trained and certified in pediatric emergency medicine, and pediatric nurses and other specialists also provide expert care.

The St. John’s Mercy Pediatric Emergency Department is located on the first floor of the recently opened Heart Hospital, just north of the existing hospital.