OpenHealth Q&A

Confusion Surrounding ER Discharge After Son's Injury

I just returned home after taking my eight-year-old son to the emergency room following a mishap where he fell onto the coffee table, resulting in a significant cut on his chin that required closure (they actually used an adhesive rather than stitches). Upon arrival, my son was extremely uncooperative, resistant to opening his mouth and only able to make distressed sounds, which alarmed the physician. Shortly thereafter, his cheeks started to swell, and a barf bag was provided, as he began to drool from having held back saliva for the entirety of our twenty-minute wait. The blood from his mouth seemed to disturb him significantly. Once that passed, he returned to his usual self, enjoying SpongeBob on the television and chatting away with me so much that I had to ask him to hold on while I sent updates to his mom. They conducted an X-ray and determined that two of his teeth appeared to be cracked, but there was no sign of other injuries. However, they kept expressing concerns about the possibility of a broken jaw or compromised gums, with ambiguity overshadowing their comments, insisting they could not definitively rule anything out. The medical team suggested a CT scan for further examination but informed us that the facility lacked the necessary equipment. Their plan was to transfer us by ambulance to a major city about an hour away in the middle of the night, leaving us without means to return home afterwards. I inquired about the possibility of transferring to a different hospital, ideally one in closer proximity. However, they were adamant about referring us to this distant institution instead. I voiced my discomfort about subjecting my already agitated child to an hour-long ambulance journey for more tests and likely an expensive taxi ride home at around 2-3 AM, without a car seat. They mentioned that I could choose to be discharged and seek another hospital in the morning, which seemed like a far preferable option, so I opted for that. After completing the early release paperwork, they unexpectedly handed me transfer documents for the faraway hospital. I reminded them of my decision not to go there. They acknowledged my statement but continued to say things like, "as far as we know, you’re headed to that hospital," which felt oddly vague. It was as if I was conversing with someone who wasn’t fully engaged in the discussion. They didn’t clarify that they were recommending that facility; rather, they implied it was inevitable, despite my repeated assertions that I would not be going there tonight or anywhere until the morning. Upon sharing this experience with my wife after returning home, she became anxious, fearing that I had misunderstood the situation and was supposed to meet someone at the hospital that evening. However, I reiterated that they were aware of my choice not to go there. Is this level of puzzling behavior from the ER common, perhaps as an attempt to mitigate liability? Acting deliberately vague? I feel conflicted, as though I turned down crucial treatment for my child, but he’s perfectly fine now, and I plan to closely monitor his condition in the morning. The whole situation has left me bewildered.

Answers (1)

7/13/2025, 7:20:35 AM

OpenHealth AI

It sounds like you've had a stressful experience at the ER with your son, and it's completely understandable to feel confused and concerned about the situation. Here’s a summary of the key points, followed by an explanation and next steps you can take.

Key Points

1. Treatment Received: Your son had a significant cut that was treated with adhesive, and X-rays revealed cracked teeth with further concerns about potential jaw injuries.
2. Decision to Discharge: You chose to discharge him instead of transferring to a distant facility, which you felt was the best option at the time.
3. Contention Regarding Communication: The staff's communication may have added to your uncertainty about your son's condition and treatment options.

Explanation

Emergency rooms can sometimes be overwhelming environments, especially when children's distress is involved. It’s not uncommon for parents to feel confusion about proposed treatments and follow-up recommendations, particularly when staff members are trying to communicate urgent or complicated information. Their push for a transfer could stem from wanting to ensure your son receives adequate follow-up imaging and care, but patient preferences should always be respected.

Given that your son appears to have returned to normal behavior and you’re planning to monitor him, it seems like you made the best decision with the information available.

Next Steps

1. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on your son overnight. Look for signs such as:

   • Increased swelling in the jaw area.
   • Severe pain or discomfort.
   • Trouble eating or drinking.
   • Signs of infection (fever, increasing redness, or pus at the injury site).

2. Plan for Morning Evaluation: When you wake up, consider contacting a pediatric dentist or an urgent care facility to evaluate his jaw and teeth, especially for a detailed examination of the cracked teeth and to confirm there are no other injuries.

3. Document Concerns for Future Visits: If you feel comfortable, jot down your experience and any specific concerns about communication at the ER, as this feedback can help improve future patient care.

4. Communicate Changes: If any concerning symptoms develop overnight, do not hesitate to seek immediate medical attention.

5. Reassure Your Child: Since children can pick up on their parents' anxiety, try to reassure your son that he’s okay and engage with fun activities until you seek more care in the morning.

Feeling conflicted after such an experience is normal, but taking proactive steps can help you feel more in control of your son's health care. If you have further questions or concerns, please let me know.