The Emergency Center at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital treats infants, children and young adults who have emergency medical needs.

The Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Emergency Center treats all emergency conditions and is staffed 24 hours a day by pediatric emergency medicine physicians, general pediatricians and nurses, all specially trained in pediatric emergency medicine. Our team sees emergencies and unscheduled visits that need immediate attention.

We see all patients in person and cannot give advice over the phone. If a child who was treated in the Emergency Center shows signs of the same injury or illness, please return. Many conditions change over time, and we are always happy to repeat an evaluation or perform further testing, if needed.

Johns Hopkins All Children's Emergency Center Highlights

Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physicians
Our pediatric emergency medicine physicians have three additional years of pediatric training beyond their required training in emergency medicine. At least one board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physician is in the Emergency Center at all times and sometimes as many as three. Our experts’ additional training means faster diagnosis and treatment.

Pediatric Radiology
Our Emergency Center is directly adjacent to our pediatric radiology department, which is staffed 24 hours. All films are read by pediatric radiologists. Our radiology program is part of the Image Gently campaign, a widespread effort by radiologists to reduce radiation exposure in children.

Child Life Specialists
The Emergency Center has a Child Life specialist who helps make the Emergency Center experience less threatening and stressful for patients and families. Child Life specialists use distraction and play to help children cope better with the hospital experience.

When Do I Need an Emergency Center?

Emergency Centers treat minor conditions but also deal with more serious injuries and illnesses. Commonly treated emergency conditions include:

• Broken bones
• Concussions
• Fevers in children under 8 weeks old
• Seizures
• Severe abdominal pain
• Severe asthma
• Severe cuts with excessive bleeding
• Sports injuries

Not Sick Enough for the Emergency Center?

Many Johns Hopkins All Children’s pediatric specialists offer urgent visits daily. If you need to see a pediatric specialist immediately, please call your primary care physician and ask them to call the specialist for an urgent appointment.

Referral Information for Emergency and Primary Care Physicians

We are happy to take referrals from emergency physicians, pediatricians, family physicians and any other physicians in their offices or clinics for patients who need further evaluation and treatment. To transfer a patient to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, please contact the Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital Patient Transfer Center.