The province is battling the “triple threat” of COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). BC Children’s Hospital is experiencing “high volumes” and on Wednesday, estimated wait times exceeded 4.5 hours, with an expected length of stay of more than nine hours.

		Read more: BC hospital intensive care units hit by sick children 		
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			The intensive care units of the hospitals of BC  they beat sick children

According to the hospital, half of the top reasons patients visit its ED may not actually require emergency care. Nasal congestion, coughing, common cold symptoms, mild asthma or wheezing that responds to regular puffs are not considered emergencies, he said. Respiratory problems that include difficulty breathing, pale skin, white or blue lips, or asthma that doesn’t respond to prescribed medication, however, may require a visit. Story continues below ad Parents should also consider a trip to the ED if babies under three months old are vomiting, have a fever, or have diarrhea. For older children, the hospital said emergency care may not be needed if the child is vaccinated and otherwise healthy, or if vomiting or diarrhea occurs less than five times a day. Diarrhea can last up to two weeks after the stomach flu, he added, but dehydration with a dry mouth or no urine for more than 12 hours is a red flag. Having a sick child can be stressful, but it helps to know when it’s time to seek emergency treatment. Learn where to go for the right care when your child is sick: pic.twitter.com/lRsyU0zNZd — BC Children’s Hospital (@BCChildrenHosp) November 17, 2022 Parents may also skip the ED for recurrent rashes or skin problems, rashes combined with cough and cold symptoms, and mild hives that respond to antihistamines without difficulty breathing or swelling of the throat and tongue. A fever with a rash that looks like blisters or bruises that don’t whiten or fade with pressure, however, can be a sign of a problem, the hospital said. Current trend

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Story continues below ad If children are difficult to wake up or a fever persists for more than five days in children of any age, this is considered an emergency, as is a fever in children with complex chronic health problems or with weakened immune systems. Any parent who believes their child has been poisoned is urged to call poison control at 1-800-567-8911 and visit the ED if directed to do so.

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																4:15 What is the BC government doing?  about waiting times in hospitals?

For physical injuries, BC Children’s Hospital is concerned about falls of more than five feet, burns that blister and are larger than a female, eye injuries, and injuries that cause chest or stomach pain that warrant a visit to the emergency department. It also considers injuries that cause the arm or leg to look crooked, decapitate the limb, or lead to swelling that doesn’t go down with ice and rest after 48 hours. Story continues below ad Sunburns, scrapes and bruises where the injured body part can be used, and even mild head injuries without confusion, vomiting or blacking out, are not emergencies, he said. Even large lumps on the forehead may not require an ED visit if normal behavior returns within four hours. Parents should, however, consider emergency care if their child’s head injury is accompanied by confusion, loss of consciousness, or visible lumps behind the ears, sides of the head, or back of the head. Any head injury with visible swelling in a child younger than three months is also cause for concern, such as a cut with open edges or persistent bleeding despite immediate pressure, the hospital said. Resources are also available for children experiencing a mental health crisis, the hospital added, and parents should call 911 or 1-800-SUICIDE if their child is considering taking their own life.

		Read more: BC government activates pediatric board to tackle rising hospital admissions

Recognizing that long ED wait times have particularly affected children, on Wednesday the BC government. activated a “children’s table”, led by BC Children’s Hospital. The system aims to address the increase in pediatric patient admissions by coordinating pediatric resources, improving the triage process, connecting patients to community care options and hiring additional patient care coordinators. Story continues below ad Health Minister Adrian Dix said Wednesday the province also recently expanded 811 service and added some new emergency and primary care centers in communities. © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.