Visiting the Children’s Emergency Department at Port Moresby General Hospital can be challenging, but with some preparation and understanding, you can improve the experience for both your child and the healthcare workers. Here are some practical tips to keep in mind:
At Home: Initial Steps for Managing Illness
1. Manage Minor Illnesses at Home
– Fever: You can manage a fever at home by cool sponging your child (using a damp cloth to lower body temperature) and administering Panadol or paracetamol. Keep these medications at home, along with a prescription for paracetamol suppositories (PR Panadol) in case oral medication is difficult to administer.
– Coughs and Colds: Most childhood coughs are viral and will resolve on their own. Keep some cough syrup at home to manage symptoms.
– Diarrhea: Keep oral rehydration salts (ORS) at home to manage dehydration caused by diarrhea. Avoid giving your child milk or other foods that might irritate the gut during a diarrhea episode.
2. Keep Track of Your Child’s Weight
– Whenever you visit a clinic or hospital, ask the health worker to weigh your child and document the weight in the clinic book. A child’s weight is crucial because medications are often dosed based on weight. Having a recent weight recorded (within the past one or two weeks) is especially helpful in emergencies where a new weight measurement might not be possible.
Visiting the Clinic: The First Point of Care
3. Go to Your Urban Clinic First
– If your child is unwell, visit your local urban clinic first. If the clinic cannot manage the issue or if your child is too sick, they will refer you to the Children’s Emergency Department at Port Moresby General Hospital. As the country’s referral hospital, PMGH is often overwhelmed with cases, so it’s important to reserve emergency visits for genuine emergencies.
4. Keep All Test Results Together
– If your child has been referred from another facility, keep all test results together, such as blood test results. If you have an X-ray, ask the staff if you can get a copy or, if not, take a photo of it with your phone. This ensures that the results are safe and accessible, making the doctor’s job easier and potentially avoiding the need for repeat tests and additional radiation exposure.
At the Hospital: What to Do During Your Visit
5. Bring the Correct Clinic Book
– When you visit the hospital, ensure you bring the correct clinic book for your child. The book should have enough space for the doctor to write in. If the current book is nearly full, bring a new one as well.
6. Provide a Complete Medical History
– The person accompanying the child should be able to provide a full medical history, including details of the current illness and any previous medical conditions. This may not always be possible in emergencies, but it’s crucial for planned visits.
7. Attend Appointments at the Appropriate Times
– If you’re attending a review appointment, make sure you go on the correct day and time. For instance, reviews at the Children’s Emergency Department are usually scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 p.m. Arriving at the right time ensures that your child is seen promptly.
8. Avoid Shift Change Times
– The hospital operates on three shifts: morning, afternoon, and night. Shift changes occur around 8 a.m., 4 p.m., and 10 p.m. if possible, avoid arriving during these times, as there may be delays in treatment due to handovers. However, if your child’s condition is an emergency, they will still be seen.
9. Obtain an MR Number
– You’ll need a Medical Record (MR) number for your child. This number is necessary for all investigations, such as X-rays, CT scans, and for getting medications from the pharmacy. MR numbers are issued when your child is registered in the emergency department, or you can get one from the revenue section in the main foyer of the hospital.
10. Bring Results to Review Appointments
– If your child needs to be reviewed with test results (e.g., blood tests, X-rays), make sure to collect these results before your appointment. You can obtain blood test results from the pathology laboratory by providing your child’s MR number and the date of the test. Bringing the results with you will help the doctor assess your child more quickly and effectively.
After the Hospital: Ensuring Continuity of Care
11. Confirm Your Review Date and Location
– Before leaving the hospital, confirm your child’s review date and the specific clinic or department where it will take place. Whether it’s the Children’s Emergency Department, a specialty clinic like TB or Neurology, knowing where and when to go next is essential.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your visit to the Children’s Emergency Department is as smooth as possible, improving the experience for both your child and the healthcare professionals involved.
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