The Johns Hopkins All Children’s Emergency Center helps patients and families know what to expect during and after their visit.

Once you arrive at the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Emergency Center, our team will help you find where you need to go. We understand that a trip to the Emergency Center is almost always stressful, but knowing what to expect can help reduce stress.

What to Expect at Our Emergency Center

A visit to our Emergency Center may include the following:

• Triage. The purpose of triage is to quickly assess your child’s needs and to begin planning for their care. A pediatric nurse will ask you the reason for your visit and examine your child. It is important to give all needed information to the triage nurse. He or she may tell you not to give your child anything to eat or drink while waiting. Please follow these instructions. Children with life-threatening illnesses are seen first.
• Waiting area. You will be asked to wait in the waiting room if an exam room is not available. There is a TV available to make the time go faster. As soon as a room is available, a staff member will escort you to your room. If you believe your child has gotten sicker while waiting, please let the triage staff know.
• QuickKid^TM. If the Emergency Center is very busy, children with less serious problems may be sent to the QuickKid^TM area of the Emergency Center for treatment.
• Exam room. Once you are in a private room, your child will be examined and evaluated by a team of doctors and nurses. All members of our care team have been specially trained to work with our pediatric patients.
• Additional testing (if needed). Your child may need X-rays or blood tests. In this case, you might have to wait for these results in our waiting room. The attending physician might also consult with another specialist during this time.
• Registration. Our registration clerk will come to or call your room and ask for your child’s medical information. He or she will have you sign a consent form for your child's treatment. Insurance companies often require approval for Emergency Center visits. If your child’s doctor has not called in with an approval, the registration clerk will do so. Note: we will treat your child if your insurer does not approve the visit or you do not have insurance. Our financial counselors can assist you, if needed.
• Admission (if needed). Your doctor may decide that your child needs to stay in the hospital. In this case, your child will stay in the Emergency Center until they are brought to a hospital room.
• Discharge. When your Emergency Center visit is over, we will give you written instructions about your child’s home treatment, medications and follow-up care. If you have any questions after you leave, please call the Emergency Center at 727-767-8400.
• Notifying your child’s primary care physician. After your visit, we send a copy of your child’s record to your child’s primary care physician. This record explains your child’s treatment in our Emergency Center and the care plan received.