Better Safe Than Sorry :: Baylor Scott & White Emergency Hospitals Have Your Kids’ Back

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Disclaimer :: Baylor Scott & White Emergency Hospitals sponsored this post to share information about its services with our readers.

I’ve only been a mom for a couple of years, but I can tell you one of the worst feelings is when you know something “just isn’t right” with your child. When kids are roughhousing or playing sports, it’s not a matter of “if” your kid will get hurt, it’s more a matter of “when.” I don’t think kids should stop playing sports (I mean, kids are going to find a way to get bumps and bruises, even if we wrap them in protective bubble wrap), instead that as parents we need to be prepared.

coach tying soccer player's shoeThat “not right” feeling happened to me a few months ago when I got home from work and went outside to play with my daughter. My husband told me she took a spill earlier in the day, but she seemed happy and fine so he didn’t give it much thought and neither had I. But after pushing her in her swing for only a couple minutes, I noticed her left eye starting to drift inward. Was I seeing things? Was I imagining it? 

When my husband confirmed that I wasn’t exaggerating — that her eye wasn’t looking straight ahead — I immediately called our pediatrician. Long story short, her doctor said we didn’t have to take her to the emergency room. But there was some amount of comfort knowing we could and that we would be seen in a quick, efficient, and caring manner at one of Baylor Scott & White’s Emergency Hospitals

The following day, we took our daughter to a pediatric eye specialist and it turned out to be a minor occurrence. In a nutshell (and I’m no doctor, so take this with a grain of salt), her eye got tired and started to drift. It was unrelated to the fall. 

If I feel that way from a non-sports related injury, I can only imagine what it’s going to be like once she does want to play volleyball, ride horses, or compete in some other sport. Yet for many families, sports season is here and in full swing. And that means along with more team practices and games, there will also be more injuries.

In addition to stockpiling bandages and hydrogen peroxide, it’s also a good time to bookmark Baylor Scott & White Emergency Hospital’s check-in webpage. Checking in online allows parents to schedule their estimated arrival time, which speeds up the check-in process once they arrive at the hospital with their child. 

In the past, I’ve been tempted to go to a walk-in clinic for medical issues. But what I like about Baylor Scott & White Emergency Hospitals is that they’re fully licensed emergency hospitals that have a local, neighborhood feel, and they are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. Click here for a full list of Baylor Scott & White Emergency Hospitals in North Texas.

Wait times are short (typically less than 15 minutes), and the hospitals have access to comprehensive care for children and adults, and doctors and facilities that are in-network with most major medical insurance providers. 

Sure, most nicked knees and elbows can be treated with cleaning, bandaging, and a kiss to feel better. But there are times when that feeling creeps in that there’s something amiss. Since I don’t have a ton of experience with kiddo injuries, I asked some mamas on the Fort Worth Moms’ executive team for some words of advice: 

Mary, our event and neighbor group coordinator, says this: “Breathing is how we calm down and keep calm. We practice breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. We even do it with them! Everyone can get flustered or upset, and it helps mom, too.”

Emily, owner and Momfessions podcast co-host, says: “When in doubt, go in to see a doctor. There is no harm and no foul if it turns out to be an easy fix, but it is so better safe than sorry. Bruises and sprains can sometimes trick you and end up being breaks and tears. Go sooner rather than later!

Elisa, our resource director, says: “Since I usually don’t see the injury happen, my first instinct is to calm my child down and figure out what exactly is hurting. That helps me determine if a visit to the doctor is in order.”

Dominique, our hospitality coordinator, says: “Stay calm. When you’re calm and confident, your child will be less frightened. Go with your gut. A momma’s intuition is like no other.” 

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Katie F
Katie has been and editor and journalist since 2010. She’s worked for various national publications, including EQUUS and Western Horseman, and freelanced for titles such as Horse Illustrated and The Reiner. In addition to her role as managing editor at Beal Media, Katie is a content writer for The National Council of Mental Wellbeing and secretary for the Ranch Horse Association of America. In all her work, she’s drawn to projects that serve a purpose and help others. She lives in Willow Park, Texas, with her husband, two kiddos, horses, dogs, chickens, and cat.

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