Split-second decisions: First aid at home or rush to the ER?

Implications

During early childhood, children become progressively more mobile and curious about their surroundings, but are not yet able to understand and follow rules consistently. Sometimes, even with careful monitoring, children experience urgent medical situations, forcing parents to make immediate decisions about administering first aid at home, calling for advice, and/or seeking emergency care.

Results from this Mott Poll suggest that some parents of young children may be using the ER for common situations that could be handled at home. While going to the ER may reassure parents that their child is unharmed, there are downsides. For example, the time spent traveling to the ER may interfere with quick action. For example, a child who is choking would likely see a greater benefit from their parent dislodging the object as quickly as possible, rather than delaying immediate action to drive to the ER. Also, the ER is a costly location for care; a large bill for emergency care is justified for true emergencies, but perhaps not for minor injuries.

Many parents in this Mott Poll indicated that their strategy to handle urgent medical situations would involve calling for advice. This is a sound strategy that allows parents to avoid an unnecessary ER visit, but still obtain guidance from a health care professional. The child’s usual health care provider is a common source of telephone advice; however, not all clinics have trained health professionals answering calls. It is important for parents to understand clinic policies related to telephone advice, so they don’t waste time in an urgent situation waiting for a provider to return their call.

In the case of a child who may have swallowed medication, 6 in 10 Mott Poll respondents would call Poison Control for advice. This is an excellent strategy, as the Poison Control staff can elicit information about the type of medication and direct parents on the appropriate next steps. In the heat of the moment, parents who take their child directly to the ER may forget to bring the source of possible poisoning, leaving ER providers with limited information to determine the child’s treatment.

These Mott Poll results demonstrate that first aid knowledge and training helps parents feel more confident in their ability to handle common medical situations. In certain situations, such as a small burn, parents would likely be able to consult a first aid book or online reference to guide their response. In contrast, more time-sensitive situations such as choking require that parents be knowledgeable and ready to act. First aid training can help parents manage urgent medical situation effectively.  

Unfortunately, 4 in 10 parents of young children have received no first aid training, and thus may be unprepared to handle common medical situations that may arise. Birth preparation classes often contain a first aid component, but parents may want to participate refresher courses to make sure their knowledge is up-to-date. First-aid training through community organizations and health care facilities, as well as online modules, are useful steps to boost parents’ knowledge and confidence.