Emergency Department - Children's Wisconsin — Local services in Wauwatosa

On Saturday my son was having coughing fits all day. He was coughing so hard he was throwing up. Took him into the er around 10pm. By that time he had thrown up at least 7 times. I was worried about dehydration and croup. He has had multiple bouts of croup this year which is evident in his chart, that they have easy access to. Usually he is perscribed a steroid to reduce swelling which helps tremendously. We were seen by a doctor at the ER. I explained his history and that it presents like croup again. (Mind you he was diagnosed with croup 2 weeks prior, recieved steroids and was better). I expressed deep concern that he is in pain from coughing so hard, can't sleep, can't function normally, coughing almost every other minute. They proceeded to tell me that he has nasal drip causing mucus to cause upset tummy. They wanted to perscribe him anti nausea meds. I explained that he isn't throwing up from an upset tummy but because he is coughing so hard. I asked if we could have the steroids per his medical history and they refused. I asked if maybe he needed a rescue inhaler for the coughing fits and again they refused. The doctor seemed to lack any concern to helping the actual problem. I told her it was hard for him to breathe and she provided no care and concern. Both the doctor and nurse were apparently annoyed that I was asking questions and was unhappy with their treatment plan. They were condescending and acted like I was an idiot that didn't know anything. As a mother I was so upset that I would come to the er to get help for my child that is struggling and be so dismissed and treated like we didn't matter. I would expect a hospital that is there to treat children would actually treat them. I left with no answers or help devastated for my child. He had to suffer two more days coughing, vomiting and in pain until I could get an appointment with his primary care physician on monday. The primary care doctor listened to my son cough twice the instant he walked in the room and could tell he had croup and needed steroids. Also ordered a chest xray to rule out phenomia. I am disgusted that the er staff is so uneducated that another doctor could out diagnose my son in 2 seconds. My child had to suffer for 2 days because of the incompetence and disregard of a staff and facility that is there to help in an emergency. If a child presents to the er with trouble breathing and signs of dehydration that is serious regardless of the underlying cause and should be treated as such. Other parents, please be careful taking your...

Thank you!!! The nurses were great, the hand specialist was above and beyond amazing, and T. Hawley , MD was a delight to have on board for my son's visit. My son said if he ever had a hand issue again, he would want the same hand specialist because she was so so good. The nurses and Dr. Hawley kept us abreast of the situation and the direction they were going in for treatment. They explained things well and had the best bedside manner. Thank you for keeping my son comfortable during the procedure, and for not judging him (even though...okay, he wasn't being too smart when he got into that predicament.) He already "felt so stupid" over what had transpired, and learned an extremely valuable lesson (apparently me telling him repeatedly wasn't enough,) and he was so lucky to not have any nerve/bone/vascular damage in general. Even the tdap went well as he didn't feel it whatsoever. I saw how busy it was getting as we were being discharged, so I imagine we may have been the start of a chaotic night for the ER! I've typed out an entire novel now, but I just don't think this department gets enough praise. I witnessed a translator out front also doing a fantastic job, and even the security guard by front doors was extremely kind (and had a good sense of humor!) I cannot thank everyone enough! I know patients/parents get frustrated sometimes, and a lot of it is out of the staff's control...any ER visit = expect it to consume most - if not your entire - day. It seemed like the doctors/residents treated their nursing staff and all other staff with respect which is big in my book, and an absolute must! Doctors work miracles, and nurses are the backbone of any well oiled machine of an ER. Even the staff in registration have a vital role to play in there. I'm so impressed as this dept has grown in so many positive ways. Keep this up, don't let any of these medical staff members go anywhere else! Do everything you can to keep them because they made the evening more than tolerable. Thank you times...

Our child received the most compassionate care. We had to come 2x for the same illness due to worsening condition. The first time was late afternoon on Sunday. Naturally we had to wait as it was a very busy time. The waiting room was comfortable with nice amenities. The second time we came late morning on a weekday we got right in. In our exam room the staff was well equipped to make children feel not so scared. They had cartoons on in our room to help our daughter while we wait between tests and providers and the nurses brought bubbles and a slinky to cheer her up. Both visits they presented us with solutions and clear instructions for at home care. They gave us options for us to choose as her parents with their help as medical providers. My husband and I are so glad we drove the 50 minutes one way to have our daughter cared for by this staff. I can’t imagine a harder job and the entire staff handled it with grace and dignity. Especially under times like these, thank you Children’s Hospital ER for everything you did for us. Keep up the...