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For the Raccosta family of Lawrenceville, visiting the hospital with their son is not always the result of a simple cut or bruise, or common childhood illness. Their sons, James and Sam, have a metabolic disorder that requires frequent need for urgent medical attention and hospitalization.

When James developed an infection and was having trouble breathing, his parents called an ambulance and he was transported to the Mercer Campus.

When they arrived, the Raccosta’s were pleased to find a service available for their son—one that made this trip to the Emergency Room much more efficient than previous trips in the past.

The reason was that CHS offers Pediatric Express Care in the Emergency Room of the Mercer Campus. The first program of its kind in the region, Pediatric Express ensures a child will have zero wait time in the emergency room when they arrive either by ambulance or walk-in.

Upon arrival to the Emergency Department, your child is immediately seen and evaluated by a pediatrician and a team of specialized pediatric healthcare providers, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“The new area in the Emergency Room for children is very nice. It’s bright, kid-oriented and kid-friendly. You can really see how focused everyone there is on taking care of your child,” said Mr. Raccosta.

“Pediatricians in this area requested specialized emergency services that they could refer their patients to when they are not able to provide care in their own offices. We are now the only hospital in Mercer County that provides such a service with zero waiting time for pediatric patients,” said Al Maghazehe, PhD, FACHE, President and CEO.

Because of CHS’ joint initiative with St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, pediatric patients who utilize the Pediatric Express Care Service also have access to pediatric sub-specialists including: orthopaedics and orthopaedic surgery; radiology; clinical genetics; infectious diseases; general pediatric surgery; pulmonary medicine; hematology/oncology; neurology and neurosurgery; cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery.

In essence, the hospitalist program gives pediatric patients round-the-clock access to in-house pediatricians, available either for direct care of the patient or to provide consultation. If a child is admitted to the hospital, the hospitalist will follow up and provide continuous care during the patient’s stay.

“Having two children with a rare metabolic disorder is frightening. It is reassuring to know that a Pediatric ER is minutes away, and that the staff is knowledgeable about treatments for our sons. Peds Express has become a safe haven for us, one that did not exist before,” Mr. Raccosta added.

“Pediatric Express Care Service coupled with our already outstanding hospitalist program with St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children equals a new, unprecedented level of pediatric health services in the Trenton area. Parents can be assured their children will receive the utmost care quicker than ever expected when they walk through the doors of our Emergency Room,” said Mr. Maghazehe.