Families in the Bridgeport area now have access to the same world-class pediatric emergency care available at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital—closer to home. Pediatric emergency medicine physicians from Yale have joined the team at Bridgeport Hospital’s Children’s Emergency Center, bringing the depth of Yale Medicine expertise to the region’s only dedicated children’s emergency department. Since July, Yale pediatricians have been working alongside Bridgeport Hospital’s emergency department team to provide specialized care for children in need. This collaboration ensures that families benefit from advanced pediatric emergency medicine without leaving their community. To share more about this important initiative, we spoke with Rakesh Mistry, MD, section chief of pediatric emergency medicine, who offers insight into what this means for patients and families.
Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital Expertise Now at Bridgeport Hospital’s Children’s Emergency Center
Pediatricians from Yale have been working in Bridgeport Hospital’s emergency room since July of this year.
We’re thrilled to partner with Bridgeport Hospital to bring Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital expertise to the Children’s Emergency Center! What can you tell us about this collaboration?
Yes, we are really excited to partner with Bridgeport Hospital to provide Pediatric Emergency Medicine services! Families can now access pediatric emergency care from physicians specifically trained to treat acutely ill and injured children—18 hours a day, 365 days a year—right in Bridgeport’s Emergency Department (ED). This collaboration means parents will interact with providers who understand the unique needs of children and families, and who have deep knowledge of pediatric-specific emergency conditions. Bridgeport’s ED offers a dedicated, child-friendly environment, including a separate waiting area, specialized patient-care spaces, pediatric nurses, and child-life specialists. And if a child requires highly specialized care available only at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, this partnership ensures seamless communication and efficient transfer for the best possible outcomes. Parents can feel confident knowing their children will receive exceptional pediatric emergency care from experienced specialists—close to home.
What kinds of pediatric injuries are typically treated in the emergency room? How should a parent or caregiver know when they should bring a child in?
There is a wide-range of illnesses and injuries that present to pediatric emergency rooms. Fortunately, we are trained and prepared to treat them all. This includes minor illness such as fevers and respiratory infections, to more severe conditions such as asthma exacerbations, dehydration, and even specialized illnesses including diabetes, sickle cell disease, and seizures. We are also equipped to care for injuries such as lacerations, fractures, head trauma, and burns. Our team can perform all emergency procedures in a child-friendly environment, improving our ability to place intravenous lines, procedural sedations, fracture reductions, and conduct all medical treatments.
The decision to bring a child is up to the parent. If you feel you child is in any danger from their illness or injury, they should come to the ED. Our general approach is that we would rather see your child in the ED, even if it means we can assure you that there is nothing severely wrong. At least the parents can go home knowing their child has been fully evaluated by an expert in pediatric emergencies and is safe.
What areas of Connecticut does Bridgeport Hospital typically serve?
Bridgeport ED expands our ability to offer pediatric care for acutely ill and injured children down the Connecticut shoreline. We are accessible to many communities that can really benefit from accessible emergency services for children. This includes Fairfield, Trumbull, Stratford, Easton, and Westport. Of course we are proud to offer our emergency services for any child in the region, it is our mission!
What else should parents and caregivers know about this collaboration?
Not every emergency department is the same. The care provided by pediatric specialists is unique and fully centered around your child. The affiliation between Bridgeport Hospital and Yale New Haven Children's provides access to the highest quality pediatric emergency care in our region. The Bridgeport Emergency Department separates itself from many others in the area through this collaboration to offer specialized pediatric emergency care.