CHILDREN’S HEALTH MINUTE
Presented by the TexCare Partnership
60 Second Radio Feature   MP3

"Emergency Room Overuse”
FOR AIR WEEK OF July 21, 2003

It’s two a.m., your child is crying and seems to have fever -- what should you do?

Hi, I’m Dr. John Hellerstedt with the Children’s Health Minute presented by this station and TexCare -- connecting Texas families with children’s health insurance for 18 dollars a month or less.

A trip to the emergency room is in order if the condition is life-threatening, or if serious harm could occur without immediate attention. For some problems, like choking, loss of consciousness, severe bleeding, or ongoing seizures, getting trained help to the scene is the first step, so call 911.

But, most common problems aren’t that serious. Ask your doctor when it’s best to call them, versus going directly to the hospital emergency department. At two a.m., that knowledge will really come in handy.

Keep your kids healthy. Call TexCare at 1-800-647-6558 to apply or when it’s time to renew your children’s health care coverage. That’s 1-800-647-6558.