Children’s Emergency Center
The Elizabeth M. Pfriem Children's Emergency Center
When your child needs emergency care, his or her fear of a strange environment can add to the stress. That's why we created a separate designated waiting area and exam rooms specifically designed for children and adolescents ages 18 and under who are ill or injured. The child-sized furniture, fish tank, and activity center where waiting children can play. welcome and comfort children and families.
Parents can rest assured knowing that the expertise of Yale New Haven Children's Hospital board-certified physicians are there to provide specialized care to children in the ED at Bridgeport Hospital. It's one of the many benefits with being a part of a health network at the forefront of medicine.
Located within the adult Emergency Department (ED), the Children's Emergency Center features a dedicated 4-bed pediatric intensive care unit, a 20-bed newborn intensive care unit and an 18-bed pediatric unit that specializes in the care of infants through adolescents. The ED also includes a helipad for the rapid transport of traumatically injured patients.
To access the Children's Emergency Center, enter through the main Emergency Department entrance. Visitors can park in the garage next to the ED main entrance.
Making Children Comfortable
Most importantly, the center's staff knows that children's fears and anxieties are often different from those of adults. "We have always cared for children in the Emergency Department," says Michael Werdmann, MD, Chairman of Emergency Medicine and medical director of the Children's Emergency Center, "but we also have specialty staff skilled in pediatric care." Child Life specialists are also on hand to help children cope with the adjustments of being in a hospital by providing a variety of play experiences. These activities help both children and families gain a greater understanding of medical procedures, which helps reduce stress and fear of the unknown. Through play, the child life specialist helps facilitate the emotional and social growth of a child during the crisis of illness.
