Parenting brings forth many challenges, but nothing is more intimidating than when your child is sick or injured. It can be stressful trying to figure out who to see and where to go. That’s why we went straight to our experts at Riley Children’s Health, who now provide highly skilled and dedicated pediatric emergency care at three hospital locations – Riley Hospital for Children in downtown Indianapolis, IU Health North in Carmel, and IU Health Fishers in Fishers. We were grateful to speak with Dr. Cory Showalter, who shared his educated insight to help answer these hard hitting questions about knowing when to go to the pediatric emergency department.
How do I know if my child’s symptoms are serious enough for the ER instead of urgent care or our pediatrician?
Dr. Showalter suggests that, “as a first step, parents should first contact their pediatrician or primary care provider. Your primary care physician knows your child well and has the expertise and experience to determine the best care option for your child. A discussion with your primary care physician is also helpful with communication. Should your child require a visit to the emergency department, your primary care physician can call ahead and provide information needed to optimize the care your child receives.”
He does note that for life-threatening emergencies, you should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
For help answering if a child’s symptoms are a medical emergency or not, Dr. Showalter suggests a very useful resource. “Riley Children’s Health has created a symptom guide. This guide helps families determine which care option may be appropriate.”
Always remember that families should always seek care at a facility that works for them and their family.
What should I bring with me to make the visit smoother (like medical records, medications, or insurance info)?
“When coming to the ED, you should have an up-to-date list of medications, allergies, your pediatricians name, and any special information the care team should know about your child.” He continues, “this could include preferred communication style, concerns, fears, etc.. All of this helps the care team better help your child.”
Will my child be treated differently in a pediatric ER than in a regular emergency room? Will my child be treated by doctors who specialize in pediatrics?
Dr. Showalter says the environment at all Riley Children’s emergency medicine locations is geared towards pediatrics patient. “Yes, you will find that the environments are different from general or adult emergency departments. They are designed with children and families in mind, creating a comfortable space to help kids and families cope in a stressful situation. This includes having dedicated pediatric spaces, including the waiting area and exam rooms.”
He also mentions the holistic approach that is utilized by the Riley Children’s Health emergency medicine team, prioritizing both the physical and emotional wellbeing of each child that comes through the doors. “We have an entire team, including Child Life Specialists, therapists, and technicians trained and ready to address the psychosocial and emotional needs of both kids and families in an emergency setting.”
Their team is trained specifically to care for children. He shares, “including our pediatric nurses who are onsite 24/7. Our pediatric emergency medicine physicians are board-certified in pediatric emergency medicine, which includes additional training for up to seven years after medical school.”
Riley Children’s Health has three pediatric emergency medicine locations that are open 24/7– Riley Hospital for Children in downtown Indianapolis, IU Health North in Carmel, and IU Health Fishers in Fishers. At Riley Hospital and IU Health North, we have a pediatric emergency medicine physician onsite 24/7. At IU Health Fishers, we currently have a pediatric emergency medicine physician onsite from 2:30pm-11:30pm, which is the peak volume hours. Outside of those hours, a general emergency medicine physician at the IU Health Fishers ED will examine and treat our pediatric patients, with consult from a Riley Children’s pediatric hospitalist that we have onsite 24/7.
Can I stay with my child the entire time during testing or treatment?
“With very few safety-driven moments, a parent can be with their child for the entire visit,” Dr. Showalter tells us. He shares a few examples of when a parent may be asked to step away:
- To minimize unnecessary radiation exposure, we will briefly separate children from their parents. This is just for a few seconds, and we will utilize specialized nursing and Child Life Specialists, and radiology technicians specialty trained in pediatrics to make this a smooth process.
- During viral season, we may limit the number of visitors but parents/direct guardians can stay with their children.
- During OR or bedside surgical procedures requiring sedation, we will ask family members to leave the room to minimize risk of infection and ensure safety.
When your child isn’t feeling well, deciding where to seek care can feel overwhelming—especially in the moment. With the helpful insights of professionals like Dr. Showalter and partnership with your primary care physician, you can be confident in making the best choice for your child. You can reduce stress, get your child the right care faster, and focus on what matters most: helping them feel better and get back to being a kid.
Meet Our Expert: Dr. Cory Showalter, MD
Dr. Showalter has been with Riley Children’s Health since 2012 and is currently the Chief of Access and Outreach. He is also the Division Chief and Vice Chair, Pediatric Emergency 
Medicine at IU School of Medicine Department, Emergency Medicine. Dr. Showalter graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He attended medical school at Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his pediatric emergency medicine residency, chief residency and fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
