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Original poster

How quickly would you expect to get triaged at a&e with a dehydrated toddler?

89 replies

Arewehumanorbones · 20/03/2019 15:44

Actually wanted a GP appointment but they sent us to a&e without even seeing him. Not had a wet nappy in nearly 24 hours and been sick for several days now.
We are probably just wasting everyone's time. So how long would you expect to wait to be seen to be sent home?

OP posts:
m0therofdragons · 21/03/2019 08:59

Wow, people have massively unrealistic expectations of an a&e. If you're a trauma case, unable to breathe etc then you'd get rushed in otherwise the target is a 4hour wait for 95 % of patients, which only 3 hospitals actually met in February. You're complaining about 1 hour 45min wait for a poorly child not in a life threatening condition?

Can people please reset their expectations, it would make our A&E team's life a lot easier if people weren't complaining after a hour of waiting! Hmm

Original poster
Arewehumanorbones · 21/03/2019 16:12

I was not complaining. I was asking what's reasonable.
However, now you have mentioned complaining, I do however think triaging should happen within an hour. Actual treatment I expect to wait several hours of course, but to be triaged so they can see how ill the child is should happen quicker than 1 hour ,45 minutes.
For a lot of that 1 hour 45 minutes Ds was white sheet pale and dozing on and off and floppy. They had no idea if he was seriously ill and unconscious as noone checked.
We have had one slightly wet nappy today and he's still stuck to my lap all-day so still not right but a bit better. So that's one wet nappy in 48 hours.

OP posts:
flitwit99 · 21/03/2019 16:17

We were triaged within 15 minutes at a&e last time. We then had to wait nearly 3 hours to be treated though. Several kids were rushed in by ambulance and obviously had to jump the queue.
I thought the whole point of triage was that it was fast and got people assessed quickly. I think 1h 45 is long. Not sure I would be complaining but I wouldn't be happy.

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Original poster
Arewehumanorbones · 21/03/2019 16:32

I didn't mind the 3 hour wait between triaged and being seen
But I really do think nearly 2 hours to be triaged is a bit long. I know they're busy but surely that's what triage is for?
I'm still worried about him as his lips are still dry and cracked, but eyes are moist and mouth not too dry.

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 21/03/2019 16:59

You really can't control how long it takes to be triaged. Yes you waited an awfully long time but that's A&E these days.

Did they do the fluid challenge on your DC?

We ended up being admitted and my (then 4yo) DC had to have iv fluid overnight, due to dehydration after a nasty sickness bug.

Crunchymum · 21/03/2019 17:06

Just read there hasn't been much improvement and hardly any wet nappies, I assume you've tried all this but here goes:

  • offer lots of different types of fluid. Even the not so healthy (a bit of Lucozade is better than nowt for example). When mine are ill I get lots of different options to tempt them with
  • ice lollies and ice cubes
  • suck on a sponge
  • Syringe in some of the rehydration sachet stuff
  • liquidy food.... cucumber / melon

Basically anything you can think of to get the fluid in.

Go back to GP tomorrow if it's still the same, back to A&E if it worsens.

  • you're another 24h into dehydration now so you really need to think about seeing someone again.
Original poster
Arewehumanorbones · 22/03/2019 13:08

I'm taking him back to a&e. He perked up for a bit but massively gone downhill again despite eating and drinking a bit. He's looking a bit yellow and puffy and soo listless.
Really worried Sad

OP posts:
Hollowvictory · 22/03/2019 13:10

Why is he dehydrated can he not keep water down?

Original poster
Arewehumanorbones · 22/03/2019 13:12

He was being constantly sick until yesterday. Now it's just diarrhoea. He's drinking sips and keeping it down but it's a battle to get him to drink and I'm just constantly nagging

OP posts:
Original poster
Arewehumanorbones · 22/03/2019 13:13

Been sick a week now

OP posts:
Verynice · 22/03/2019 13:14

Hope he's seen quicker now.

Samind · 22/03/2019 13:17

Hope your little one is ok!

Imacliche · 22/03/2019 13:24

Hope your lo is ok. Ive had many horrendous waits in a&e to be triaged. Our hosptial doesn't seem to prioritise children over drunken feckless idiots.
I digress, hope lo gets better soon

TheHobbitMum · 22/03/2019 13:32

Hope he's OK OP x

Original poster
Arewehumanorbones · 22/03/2019 13:53

Waiting now in paeds a&e

OP posts:
Wurlysurly · 22/03/2019 13:56

Poor boy. Hope he's okThanks

Reaa · 22/03/2019 13:56

Hope DC will be better soon

AirMass · 22/03/2019 13:57

@Arewehumanorbones the GP may have needed to send to hospital but they could've assessed and referred straight to the paeds team so you could bypass a&e - I'd raise it with your surgery. Hope your LO is better soon Flowers

Original poster
Arewehumanorbones · 22/03/2019 14:07

There are about 5 kids waiting - all school kids with hurt limbs, and us. None of the cubicles are in use and noone medical to be seen. I've asked and none have been triaged yet and some have been waiting nearly 2 hours.
I'm assuming there is a problem in adult a&e but I don't think this is good enough. I'm going to be brave and go back to reception as D's is really not with it and not really responding much

OP posts:
SneakyGremlins · 22/03/2019 14:09

Hope you get seen OP Flowers

Hollowvictory · 22/03/2019 14:09

You don't nag them to drink you syringe it into their mouth, every 15 mins. That's what they do at hospital but they won't do it you'll sit there for hours doing it yourself until they say you can go.

Crunchymum · 22/03/2019 14:16

Hope you get some sort of resolution this time. Poor little lamb.

1busybee · 22/03/2019 14:17

Hope you get seen soon

Original poster
Arewehumanorbones · 22/03/2019 14:19

I have been syringing. He just spits it out or let's it dribble out.
They say hopefully being seen soon.

OP posts:
Original poster
Arewehumanorbones · 22/03/2019 14:23

Maybe I'm being oversensitive but that post Hollow victory came across as criticising and it's upset me . I'm worried about my son and I'm doing my best

OP posts: