It is one of the unwritten rules of parenthood that children seem to suffer more mishaps and experience intensely worsening symptoms after the pediatrician’s office closes. Statistics may or may not bear this theory out. However, high quality emergency medical care that is focused on children’s needs is available at any time of the day or night through Huntington Hospital’s Clark Gillies Children’s Emergency Care Center.

Staffed around-the-clock by experts in pediatric emergency care, the Center has made a special commitment to enhance staffing during the critical hours immediately after most pediatricians’ offices have closed, from 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM. During these times, patients in the Children’s Emergency Care Center will be seen by a physician who is dedicated to providing pediatric emergency care.

Non-life threatening conditions such as asthma, infections, and minor trauma make up the vast majority of problems diagnosed and treated in the Center. Even so, it is staffed and equipped to provide the most sophisticated life-saving care to infants and children.

“Every staff member in the Children’s Emergency Care Center is certified in pediatric advanced life support,” said Michael B. Grosso, MD, Sr. Vice President of Medical Affairs. In addition, the Center contains age- and size-appropriate equipment to meet all resuscitation and medical needs of children.

The idea for a Children’s Emergency Care Center was borne from need. Nearly a quarter of Huntington Hospital’s Emergency Department visits each year are made by children under the age of 19. That translates to Huntington’s staff caring for more than 10,000 children each year.

“Our board and administration recognize the importance of fulfilling our role as a full service community hospital and that means ensuring that we meet the needs of all those who turn to us for care, and do so with the highest standards of quality,” said Dr. Grosso.

During an emergency, parents often do not have a choice about where to bring their child for care. In extreme emergencies, the closest hospital is the only option.

“At times like this, it is comforting to know that Huntington’s standards of care for children are in line with those found at major university affiliated teaching centers,” Dr. Grosso observed.

In fact, Huntington’s relationship with Schneider Children’s Hospital, part of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, provides for seamless coordination of care in rare instances when children’s medical needs require intensive care or access to certain subspecialty services. //

Healthline July 2008