Shaw Family Pediatric Emergency Center
At, the Shaw Family Pediatric Emergency Center , we care for children of all ages in a kid-friendly, family-centered environment. Our dedicated emergency center is specifically designed to reduce your child's anxiety while being treated. Our team of board-certified pediatricians and specially trained pediatric nurses staff the pediatric emergency center
Because we're an emergency center, you don't need an appointment to be seen. And we're open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
We treat a variety of pediatric emergencies including:
- Asthma attacks
- Allergic reactions
- Broken bones
- Flu
- Strep throat
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Head injuries
- Children and teens in crisis.
What to Expect During Your Visit to the Shaw Family Pediatric Emergency Center
When you arrive, our specially trained pediatric nurses and team of board-certified pediatricians will evaluate your child’s condition and ensure around-the-clock pediatric expertise. The pediatric emergency center primarily deals with patients under the age of 18.
There are four steps to being treated at Shaw Family Pediatric Emergency Center:
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You must first check in at the main emergency department triage window. Please provide the patient’s name, birth date and reason for visiting the pediatric emergency department. You must show a picture ID. Your insurance card is not needed at this time.
We use the triage system to help us assess the order in which patients are treated based on the severity of their conditions. We treat severely injured or ill patients first, as it helps us treat all patients as quickly and safely as possible. For example, a patient arriving by ambulance, a patient having breathing problems or severe bleeding will be seen before a patient with a cut, sprain or broken bone, even if you arrived before those patients.
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Listen for the Triage Nurse or Pediatric Staff to call your name. We make every effort to bring your child directly back to the Pediatric Unit, but if the unit is full you may have to wait in the reception area.
We ask that patients do not eat or drink without permission from our medical staff while they are waiting for treatment. Some medical tests and procedures must be performed on an empty stomach. Family and friends, as well as patients allowed to eat and drink, can find a variety of on-campus dining options at the Suburban Hospital.
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Sometimes your child’s condition may be treated more promptly if your child is seen in a hallway area. An example of this would be an ankle sprain or finger injury. In this case, the condition could be treated without having to wait for a room to become available. Patients with more life-threatening or serious concerns may still need to be brought to a room and treated before your child. You may choose to wait for a room if you desire; however, this may prolong your stay.
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Registration is usually done at the bedside. The registrar will obtain any insurance information and ask you to sign documents necessary for treatment. Sometimes, we may ask you to go out to the Registration desk in the Reception area in order to be registered in a timely manner. We do not refuse patients without insurance.
If your child needs to be admitted to the hospital for further care or observation, our unit is designed to help to ease the transition from emergency care to an inpatient bed, providing a more comfortable experience for children who need admission.
We provide a full range of ancillary care, including radiology and laboratory services. The Shaw Center also offers support for children who are undergoing outpatient procedures.
Our state-of-the-art facility, dedicated to kids, is designed to lessen the fears that children may experience in an adult health care environment. The Center features three rooms for emergency patients, four inpatient beds and a separate family waiting/play area. Bright murals and stuffed animals help make the Shaw Center a cheerful, comforting place.
Have a question for our staff? Call 301-896-2400.
We are located at Suburban Hospital just off the main entrance at 8600 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814.
Parking for patients and visitors are clearly designated. Suburban Hospital does not validate parking receipts. Payment can be made by cash or credit card. Learn about our hourly rates and valet parking or call the operator with questions at 301-896-3100.
Read about the Shaw Family Foundation's $1M donation that launched the Pediatric Emergency Department in 2012.