Emergency Medicine
Dedicated to Providing State-of-the-Art Pediatric Emergency Care in a Family-Centered Environment
Emergency Medicine
If you think your child has a medical emergency or life-threatening condition, always call 911. If you think someone is poisoned, call the Central Ohio Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
The Division of Emergency Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital staffs two Emergency Departments, seven Urgent Care locations and the Psychiatric Crisis Department. Our team is comprised of pediatric emergency medicine sub specialists, general pediatricians and nurse practitioners.
Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital features a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center/Pediatric Emergency Department at our main campus and a Pediatric Emergency Department in Lewis Center, Ohio. Both are staffed by board-certified and board-eligible pediatric emergency medicine sub-specialists 24 hours a day.
The Emergency Departments provide expertise in pediatric advanced life support and resuscitation, as well as evaluation and treatment in every area for acute medical and surgical conditions.
Emergency Department and Urgent Care Locations
Nationwide Children’s provides expert, pediatric care when and where you need it most. Close to your home.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital offers pediatric emergency medicine services throughout Central Ohio, including:
- Two Emergency Departments- Open 24/7, 7 days a week
- Psychiatric Crisis Department- Open 24/7, 7 days a week
- Seven Urgent Care Locations- Hours vary by location
Find an Emergency Department Near You
Urgent Care or Emergency Room?
It’s important to know where to turn when your child needs medical care. If your child’s pediatrician or family doctor isn’t available, Nationwide Children’s Hospital is here to help.
View ED vs. Urgent Care Guidelines
If you think your child has a medical emergency or life-threatening condition, always call 911. If you think someone is poisoned, call the Central Ohio Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Referrals - Physician Direct Connect
We offer a 24-hour physician/provider consult-transfer center, managed by experienced RNs who can assist in caring for your patients by being a single point of contact for numerous requests.
To access Physician Direct Connect, call (614) 355-0221 or 1 (877) 355-0221.
Please call us to determine the best Emergency Department location for your patient.
Your Emergency Department or Urgent Care Visit
Emergency Medicine is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art acute pediatric care in a family-centered environment. Learn what to expect at your visit.
Road Construction and Traffic Information
Construction near Nationwide Children’s Hospital locations may affect your trip. Please allow more time for travel during construction. Visit ODOT’s website for traffic information, ramp closures, alternative routes and other news to help you safely reach our facilities.
Consent for Treatment
All patients who come to Nationwide Children’s for medical treatment need to have a signed consent for treatment on file. If a child under 18 comes to Nationwide Children’s Hospital for treatment with someone other than their parent or legal guardian, we need an authorization from the parent or legal guardian to allow them to sign medical consent for the child. The authorization form names someone over the age of 18, chosen by the parent or legal guardian, to seek medical treatment and sign consent for the child. For example, a baby-sitter, teacher or other family member. Make sure that anyone caring for your child who may need to seek medical attention for your child in your absence, has a completed authorization form.
Patient Photos
Nationwide Children’s is adding patient photographs to our electronic medical record as an additional form of patient identification as well as an extra layer of patient safety. Photos may be taken at your next visit to a clinic, Urgent Care, Emergency Department or during an inpatient admission. For patients between the ages of 6 months and 6 years, the photo should be updated every six months. For patients 6 or older, the photo should be updated annually.
Security Screenings at the Main Campus Emergency Department
At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, patients, families and visitors to the Main Campus Emergency Department are screened by our security officers before entering the emergency department.
Here's what to expect:
- Each individual will pass through our metal detector (this is similar to the airport, but faster).
- Officers will inspect all bags for items that could be used as a weapon (pocket knives, multi-tools, etc.)
- If you come to the emergency department by ambulance, a security officer may screen you with a hand wand or ask you to come to the metal detector.
- Security officers are trained to identify critical patients and to speed-up their admittance; often using a hand wand in these situations.
Our goal is to identify and remove items that could be used as weapons. We appreciate your patience and help in creating the safest surroundings for our patients and families. If security officers remove any of your items, they will be held during your stay. You can pick the items up when you leave. Due to a lack of storage space, items are held for seven days and then they are discarded.
Meet Our Emergency Medicine Team
Our team is comprised of pediatric emergency medicine sub specialists, general pediatricians and nurse practitioners.
Meet Our Leadership
Emergency Medicine Innovation
Family Centered Care
Nationwide Children's Emergency Department practices and promotes “Family Presence” during invasive procedures and resuscitative situations. The philosophy behind Family Presence supports the family as a constant in the patient's life. This practice recognizes and incorporates the strengths and coping strategies of the family in the child's care.
Thanks to an increasing trend with pre-hospital personnel, Family Presence is initiated in the field. Many EMS agencies are arriving with parents jumping out of the back of the ambulance or following closely behind the EMS crew. Family Presence has even taken to the skies. When appropriate, a caregiver is allowed to fly with his/her child in the helicopter during air transport.
Once the patient arrives in the ED, a team member focused solely on providing support greets the family members. This team member has no direct patient care responsibility and is specifically assigned to initiate interventions to assist the family, provide emotional and psychosocial support and be a shoulder to lean upon. Parents are never forced to enter the trauma room, but are offered the option to enter if they desire. They are assured they will not be in the way, and they are welcome in the room.
Accommodations are made as soon as possible to bring the family to the bedside, and the support-focused team member remains with the family member(s) at all times. It is the responsibility of this team member to act as a liaison with the medical staff and the family. Prior to the arrival of the family to the trauma room, the support person notifies the care providers of who will be entering. It is imperative that the line of communication remain open and the medical care team has knowledge of who is present in the room.
Emergency Medicine Research
Education And Training
The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is designed to prepare physicians for an academic career in Pediatric Emergency Medicine. Fellows are offered a broad experience in all facets of pediatric emergency medicine¸ including clinical care, teaching, research and administration.
We accept graduates from both pediatric and emergency medicine residencies.
Resources
Resources For Families
Resources for Providers
Inside Emergency Medicine
Conditions We Treat
- Burns
- Choking
- Clammy Skin
- Convulsions
- Cuts and Puncture Wounds
- Electrical Injury
- Heat Emergencies
- Inhaled or Swallowed Foreign Object
- Insect Bites and Stings
- Skull Fracture
- Slowed or Stopped Breathing
