$Unique_ID{BRK02405}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Should Parents Be Aloud To Stay in Emergency Rooms with Their Children?}
$Subject{emergency room hospital hospitals child parent children er rooms
parents accidents kid kids accident}
$Volume{W-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Should Parents Be Aloud To Stay in Emergency Rooms with their Children?


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QUESTION:  Recently our little girl fell and was taken to the emergency room
at our local hospital.  Though the wound was not serious, she did need
stitches.  I wanted to stay by her side to comfort her during the procedure
but the doctor made it very clear that he did not wish me to stay.  Is this
the routine in most emergency rooms, or was it just that this doctor didn't
want me around?  Are there any special rules that prevent a mother from
staying with her child, or could I have stayed if I insisted?

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ANSWER:  I am unaware of any generally accepted rules that would apply to all
hospitals, and believe that each case is probably judged individually.  The
circumstances would depend upon the age of the child, the seriousness of the
procedure, and perhaps the emotional state of the parent.  Many parents feel
that their children want them by their sides during the anxiety provoking
experiences of an emergency room visit, and feel that their presence will help
to calm the child.  In some cases a desire to know what is going on will
motivate a parent to remain in the treatment room.
     For the most part, it is probable that the ER staff would permit a calm
parent to remain during a minor procedure, injections, laceration repairs,
splinting or bandaging, but would ask a parent to leave if the situation was
more complicated.  Available space might be a consideration.  If there was
insufficient space available (when several nurses and doctors are needed to
treat the child) or if they felt the parent would become anxious during the
treatment, a parent could be asked to remain in the waiting room or other
suitable room often provided for families.
     In the situation you describe, it may have been the actions of the doctor
more than his words that gave you the impression that he wished you to leave.
In that case, you could have asked to stay, and if the situation was under
control, would probably have been permitted to remain with your child during
her treatment.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.