Breast cancer survivor, Sara Olsher, battles the disease as a single parent, using her experience to empower others and create resources for families facing cancer, in a moving and inspiring episode of the Child Life On Call podcast. I am my daughter's person...my...
Episode 175 | Child Life in the Emergency Room (ER)
Podcast Show Notes
Going to the emergency room with your child for any reason is never an occasion you plan on. Today, Sam Kraewic and Jessica Baird, Child Life Specialists working in the Emergency Room empower and equip us on how to be the best advocates when it comes to the Emergency Room. From medical play to normalizing the hospital at home there are many ways parents can plan for the unexpected. Katie, Jessica, and Sam have a great conversation surrounding Child Life in the Emergency Room.
[3:30] Introductions
[3:46] Meet, Jessica
[4:40] Meet, Sam
[6:25] Swabs in the emergency room
[8:15] Medical play for swabs
[10:00] Letting parents know they have a voice
[12:00] Comfort items in the waiting room
[13:34] Triage can be stressful
[14:50] Talking to your child about what you might see
[15:19] Don’t make promises they can’t keep
[18:17] Familiarizing home and hospital
[20:20] Children feed off our emotions
[22:22] Stepping away is ok
[23:10] Mental Health in the Emergency Room
[25:50] Therapeutic games addressing emotions
[27:00] First trusted contact
Connect with Jessica and Sam
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- Give medicine to your child without it becoming a wrestling match
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- Create and use a coping plan for any medical appointment or procedure
The first sign of sniffles, or worse, shouldn’t send you into a tailspin. Feel confident in your role as a parent and advocate, no matter what medical situation you’re facing.
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