 Already ranked in the nation’s Top 10 for emergency care by Child Magazine, the emergency department at MUSC Children’s Hospital just completed an extensive renovation with plenty of exciting upgrades designed to enhance care. We haven’t moved far from where we were at 96 Jonathan Lucas Street – just around the corner, in fact – but we now offer a convenient drive up entrance you won’t be able to miss.
More Space, Less Waiting
The new children’s emergency department is much larger than before, with more rooms, convenient bedside registration and other enhancements designed to streamline care. That means little to no time spent in the waiting room because patients are usually taken to private exam rooms immediately upon arrival.  Child-Friendly Environment
Designed to be seen through the eyes of children, our children’s emergency department abounds with child-friendly features, colorful decorations and other positive distractions. The entire space is brightened by an aquatic sea life theme, and every exam room is equipped with a television and DVD player. Child Life specialists are also on hand to help make your child feel at ease and provide comfort during procedures.
All About Kids
One of the main differences between our children’s emergency department and your typical hospital emergency room is that our entire staff specializes in the care of children. That includes our doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, dieticians, pharmacists, radiologists, respiratory therapists and other specialists. In fact, we are the only area hospital dedicated to the unique physical and emotional needs of children. This is important because children differ from adults in many ways. The way their symptoms look. The way they are treated. The way they experience the world around them. At MUSC Children’s Hospital, we’re all about kids – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Emergencies From A to Z
The children’s emergency department handles everything from minor infections, cuts and sprains to severe and life-threatening injuries and illnesses. MUSC has a pediatric burn center, pediatric intensive care unit, neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric cardiac intensive care unit and is home to the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the Tri-county area. Know When to Call 911
Call 911 if any of the following situations occur: - Your child has trouble breathing or talking
- Your child is turning blue
- Your child is unconscious after an accident
- Your child is bleeding heavily
- Your child has suffered a serious wound
- Your child has a seizure lasting more than five minutes
- You suspect your child has overdosed on medication
- Your child has a stiff or painful neck after an injury
Emergency Card
 Print out copies of this emergency card* and keep them in convenient places such
as a diaper bag or a glove compartment. *Requires the free Adobe Acrobat Reader® Don't Wait for an Emergency
Don't wait for an emergency to look at a map or decide the fastest route to MUSC Children's Hospital Emergency Services. Planning ahead will save time and reduce stress. You may even want to make a dry run from your home and workplace. MUSC Children's Hospital Emergency Services is located at 96 Jonathan Lucas Street in Downtown Charleston (view map). Just look for the convenient new drive-up entrance. Consider CPR
One of the most important steps you can take to safeguard your child's health is to learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Not only will it teach you how to resuscitate your child, but you will also learn how to assess your child's airways, breathing and circulation. To find a CPR class near you, call the MUSC Community Training Center at (843) 876-8696. Watch a video about MUSC Children's Hospital Emergency Services:
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