Elliot Hospital in New Hampshire provides an essential service with its Pediatric Emergency Department (ED), a specialized facility dedicated to meeting the urgent healthcare needs of children. The importance of such a facility is underscored by the number of children it serves annually and the quality of care provided by its specialized staff.
Pioneering Pediatric Emergency Care
Unique Position in New Hampshire
Elliot Hospital’s Pediatric ED is the only dedicated pediatric emergency facility in New Hampshire, catering to over 13,000 children each year. This level of utilization underscores the department’s critical role within the local healthcare landscape. Its capacity to treat more pediatric patients than any other hospital in the state places it in a unique and crucial position. The high demand for its services signifies the trust and reliance that families have in the specialized care provided, proving the Pediatric ED’s indispensable role.
Specialist Staff and Services
The Pediatric ED at Elliot Hospital is staffed by board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physicians, pediatric-trained nurses, and child life specialists. This highly specialized team provides a range of care that goes beyond the medical treatment of injuries and illnesses. Child life specialists, in particular, play a vital role in comforting young patients through the implementation of play, procedural preparation, and age-appropriate education. This holistic approach helps in significantly reducing the anxiety and fear often experienced by children in emergency situations, making the treatment processes more manageable for patients and their families.
Excellence Recognized
High Readiness Score
The Pediatric ED at Elliot Hospital received significant recognition in 2021, scoring 96 out of 100 on the National Pediatric Readiness survey. This score, which surpasses national averages, reflects the department’s exceptional preparedness to handle pediatric emergencies. Attaining such a high readiness score speaks volumes about the department’s dedication to maintaining stringent standards in pediatric care. It validates the extensive efforts made to ensure that every aspect of the Pediatric ED—from protocols to staff competencies and equipment—is optimized for delivering the highest quality of emergency care to children.
Standards Supported by AAP
The high standards of Elliot’s Pediatric ED find support in the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP emphasizes the pivotal role of specialized emergency care environments for children, citing numerous studies that have shown better outcomes for pediatric patients treated in such settings. The legitimacy provided by the AAP’s endorsement underscores the importance of maintaining a dedicated pediatric emergency department. It highlights how specialized environments, like the one at Elliot, are critical in providing the most effective care tailored specifically to the needs of children.
Comprehensive Facilities and Services
Dual Emergency Departments
An integration of a general ED and Pediatric ED at Elliot ensures seamless, age-appropriate care without the delays that can occur in non-specialized environments. This dual setup offers both dedicated pediatric services and the resources of a larger emergency department, creating an unparalleled dynamic in the healthcare delivery system. This means that while the Pediatric ED is fully equipped and staffed to cater to children’s specific needs, it can also tap into the extensive resources of the general ED, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of excellent patient care.
Child-Friendly Environment
The Pediatric ED is designed explicitly with children in mind, from specialized medical equipment to child-friendly décor. This meticulous customization is aimed at not only addressing the medical needs of children but also making the environment less intimidating. Critical care areas, including a state-of-the-art pediatric trauma room, are equipped to handle the most severe cases, ensuring the highest level of medical attention. These thoughtful details work together to create a more welcoming and calming environment, which is especially important in helping reduce stress and anxiety for both young patients and their caregivers.
Broad Spectrum of Care
Access to Specialists
Elliot’s Pediatric ED provides a wide range of services, including sedation for painful procedures, on-site radiology, and 24-hour psychiatric coverage. The presence of these services ensures that various urgent needs of pediatric patients are met promptly and effectively. Collaboration with specialists in fields such as orthopedics, trauma, surgery, and neurology ensures comprehensive care. This multidisciplinary approach allows for a wider range of medical conditions to be addressed directly within the ED, minimizing the need for transfers and ensuring timely intervention.
Regional Healthcare Network
The department benefits from partnerships with major institutions like Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Boston Children’s Hospital. These collaborations extend the scope of care, offering access to pediatric specialties and intensive care that might not be available on-site. Such strategic alliances enhance the Pediatric ED’s capability to provide a continuum of care, ensuring that even the most complex cases receive the specialized attention they require. This regional network fosters an environment where expertise and resources can be shared, ultimately benefiting the overall quality of pediatric care in New Hampshire.
Inpatient and Community Support
Robust Inpatient Care
Elliot Hospital’s Level III NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and dedicated pediatric/adolescent unit underscore the breadth of inpatient services available. Children needing further treatment after emergency care typically begin in the Pediatric ED and are admitted to these specialized units as necessary. This seamless transition ensures continuity in the high level of care. It highlights the hospital’s commitment to maintaining an integrated healthcare approach that follows the patient’s journey from emergency treatment to ongoing inpatient care, ensuring all health needs are continuously met.
Community Focus
A notable aspect of Elliot’s Pediatric ED is its existence within a nonprofit community hospital. This organizational structure provides local families with access to high-quality emergency care typically found only in large academic medical centers in major cities. Having such an advanced facility within reachable proximity not only increases the accessibility of pediatric emergency services but also helps in building a strong community bond. Families can find comfort in knowing that some of the best pediatric care is available within their region, reinforcing the sense of community care and support.
Leadership and Legacy
Expert Leadership
Under the guidance of Dr. Emily A. Zajano, a board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physician, the Pediatric ED at Elliot Hospital exemplifies specialized and compassionate care. Dr. Zajano’s extensive training and dedication to pediatric emergency medicine showcase the commitment to excellence that defines the department. Her leadership not only drives improvements and innovations in the Pediatric ED but also ensures that every child receiving care is treated with the utmost professionalism and empathy. This leadership underscores the hospital’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in healthcare.
Elliot Health System History
Elliot Hospital in New Hampshire provides an indispensable service through its Pediatric Emergency Department (ED), which is a specialized facility focused on addressing the urgent healthcare needs of children. This facility is crucial, considering the large number of children it treats each year and the high standard of care delivered by its dedicated and skilled staff. The Pediatric Emergency Department is well-equipped to handle a variety of medical emergencies that are unique to younger patients, ensuring both prompt and effective treatment. The specialized team at Elliot Hospital’s Pediatric ED is trained to manage everything from minor injuries to more serious conditions, offering a reassuring environment for both children and their families. This kind of comprehensive care in a dedicated setting is vital for the community, as it not only serves immediate medical needs but also fosters long-term health and wellness for the pediatric population. The expertise and commitment of the medical professionals at Elliot Hospital play a pivotal role in the facility’s ability to provide exceptional care.
