Over the past five years, and in the process of dealing with hospital visits too numerous to count, I've come up with some ideas and suggestions that may make these unpleasant trips a bit less emotionally painful. Naturally, you should avoid going to the emergency room whenever possible. If at all possible, the emergency room should not be used for diagnosis of a cold, ear infection, or other common ailment. If you are part of an HMO, you may have the option of visiting an urgent care center. This center is staffed with physicians who are trained to deal with emergency situations, as well as common colds.
Some situations definitely merit an emergency visit.
Allergic reactions which cause breathing problems should always be treated in an emergency room. Even if you have administered an EpiPen, you should seek follow-up treatment. Falls which result in a loss of consciousness should always be treated. If the child revives quickly, you should be able to call your pediatrician and see if he prefers that you go to his office or the hospital. If a child does NOT immediately regain consciousness, call 911.