Knowing which step to take could save your child's life. Your pediatrician or family doctor can advise you on the types of injuries or illnesses that can be handled at home, when to call your doctor's office and when to go to the emergency department. Open communication with your physician is key. This type of plan sets a clear course of action for managing your child's asthma therapy as well as determining what to do if your child has a severe asthma attack. Many doctors' offices are now able to handle asthma related problems, so initiating a plan will help you determine where to go if a crisis occurs.
Emergencies can happen at any time.
In case you can't be reached, leave a letter with your child's caregiver or baby-sitter that states your child has permission to be treated for emergency care. In addition, create a list that includes the phone numbers of your pediatrician or family doctor, local emergency department, health insurance provider, dentist, pharmacy and immediate family members. Also make sure the list includes any pre-existing conditions or allergies your child has. Visiting a hospital for emergency care can be a traumatic experience for a child. For this reason, the center features a separate waiting area for children featuring games, toys and television.