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J.D. Nicewonder Pediatric Emergency Department in Bristol, TN
ER designed with kids in mind
Situations that call for a trip to the emergency room can be scary, and we've put thought into every step of the process to make the ER less intimidating for children. The new J.D. Nicewonder Family Pediatric Emergency Department at Bristol Regional Medical Center was created with kids in mind, including a dedicated pediatric-trained staff, a separate waiting room and kid-friendly exam rooms.
Our separate entrance and family-friendly waiting area ensure that during a medical emergency, kids aren't in the same room as adults and strangers. The colorful walls, patterns and animal designs create a calming environment that doesn't feel as foreign to a child as a typical emergency room.
The J.D. Nicewonder Pediatric ER is part of the Niswonger Children’s Network regional system of care for children, which includes services like:
- Increased access to specialized pediatric care
- Pediatric surgery
- Trauma and Level III NICU services at Niswonger Children’s Hospital in Johnson City
- Telemedicine capabilities with Niswonger Children’s Hospital
Kid-friendly triage area
After you're checked in, the triage area is where nurses and doctors will assess the severity of your child's need to ensure they receive the best level of care for their condition. Since this is separate from the adult triage, your child won't be waiting with adults or strangers who are also in a scary situation.
If any questions arise while you're waiting on care, we have a nurses’ station with health care workers to answer any questions you might have about your child's care journey.
Dedicated pediatric exam rooms
Just like the waiting room, our pediatric exam rooms have fun colors and designs to create an inviting environment. Even the hospital bed is kid-sized so that your child is comfortable in a room that feels built for them.
On-call Child Life Specialists
Our clinically-trained Child Life Specialists are dedicated to improving your child’s care by meeting them on their level. Through therapeutic play, medical play and other intervention techniques, Child Life Specialists help kids understand the complex procedures or treatments they might receive in the pediatric emergency room.
Pediatric ER hours
The pediatric emergency department hours of operation are 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. every day.
After-hours pediatric patients will be treated in the main Bristol Regional emergency department, which is open 24/7.