Makenna David Pediatric Emergency Department waiting area

Makenna David Pediatric Emergency Department

Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Welcome to the pediatric emergency medicine division of the UK College of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine. We love caring for children and families! Aside from our state of the art facility which opened in 2010, we have a fantastic group of faculty, pediatric-specific nurses, and pediatric resources at our disposal. In order to achieve the best care, we believe that children require specialists and equipment designed to care for their unique needs. All of the emergency medicine physicians working in the pediatric emergency center are board certified. They have completed additional training in pediatric emergency medicine, making our team especially well prepared to care for children.

Residency Information

Our residents have extensive pediatric experience with critical patients, both medical and traumatic. Currently the pediatric ED sees more than 26,000 patients each year. Our growing volume allows residents the opportunity to see common pediatric problems while also having exposure to complex and rare conditions. 

We are one of only two pediatric Level I trauma centers in the state of Kentucky. Our varied pediatric trauma exposure ensures residents will be prepared to manage the range of childhood injuries that may present to care after graduation. Additionally, we have numerous bedside modalities for management of critical airway emergencies in children. Our emergency medicine residents are responsible for all airway management during trauma evaluations. Residents from emergency medicine, pediatrics, medicine/pediatrics, and family medicine all rotate through the pediatric ED and gain a very valuable experience. We also have a number of medical students that regularly rotate through. We love to teach and have a great group of educators—both faculty and residents.

Our Facility

The Makenna David Pediatric Emergency Center is a state of the art pediatric emergency department serving central, southern, and eastern Kentucky children since its opening in 2010. This dedicated area is part of the UK Chandler Emergency Department, but is physically separated from adult care areas. The pediatric ED space has been designed and furnished with kids in mind. Our space focuses on family support and activities to help keep children comfortable while in this new environment.

Additionally, a new sensory room was added to the ED in 2020 to help children with sensory processing disorders to be more comfortable during their ED experience. Each year the pediatric ED organizes a fundraising event with the Makenna David Foundation to further develop our space.

The Waiting Area

The waiting area is decorated in a child-oriented manner and features a play table, an interactive wall, and a computer play station area to keep children distracted and entertained while they wait. There is a separate area for those who would prefer quiet. Exam rooms feature smaller beds and child-friendly decorations. Each room has a flat-screen television that can be used for patient education or entertainment.

General Features

The Makenna David Pediatric Emergency Center includes:

  • 14 standard exam rooms, two high-acuity “crisis” rooms, and two triage rooms.

  • Private consultation rooms for families in special circumstances.

  • Proximity to the UK Level 1 Trauma Center, one of two in the state verified by the American College of Surgeons for pediatric trauma patients.

  • Emergency medicine pharmacists available 24/7.

  • Kid-friendly decór with Wi-Fi coverage in the hospital.

  • Child life specialists.

  • Distinct patient, staff, and family areas in each exam room.

  • Direct access to nearby radiology for efficient diagnostic evaluation.

  • 24/7 support of the full range of pediatric specialists associated with Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

  • Rooms with full service capability of medical gases, exam light and monitoring. Crisis rooms have ICU booms and increased monitoring capability.

For Families

Within the overall UK Chandler Emergency Department, families visiting the Makenna David Pediatric Center will also benefit from:

  • Easy entry to triage from the Welcome Center.

  • A front door ambassador to assist with way-finding, communication and comfort.

  • Treatment rooms that “swing” for adult or pediatric patients depending upon need.

  • Designated eye, ear, nose and throat/dental room.

  • 100% computerized physician order entry.

  • A “quiet ED” concept that significantly reduces overhead announcements by using specialized phone paging and other communication devices.

  • Mobile computer carts that allow staff to register patients at bedside.

  • Mobile X-ray carts, an ED endoscopy cart and other mobile carts speed the delivery of care to the patient.

  • Ongoing service improvements to augment quality of care