New Pediatric Emergency Room + Advice For Moms from a Pediatric Emergency Department Doctor

This post is in partnership with NJMOM and RWJBarnabas Health. All opinions are my own. — *This post is in partnership with* *NJMOM* *and* RWJBarnabas Health. All opinions are my own.

At Clara Maass Medical Center, children continue to be a priority. Thanks in part to pediatrician Dr. Rudolph Messina, Clara Maass Medical Center opened its new, state-of-the-art Pediatric Emergency Department, on December 23, 2019, complete with a team of board-certified pediatric hospitalists and Special Care Nursery, separate from the Adult Emergency Department.

The entrance to the Emergency Department at Clara Maass Medical Center, a facility of RWJBarnabas Health.

In partnership with NJMOM, I was able to attend the Grand Opening of the new Pediatric Emergency Department at Clara Maass Medical Center. The Emergency Department is staffed with board certified physicians, specially trained nurses, technicians and health care professionals, providing treatment and care for both adults and children with emergency care needs.

Upon entering, you will find two reception areas, which are separate for adults and pediatrics. As you can see in the photo above, the comfort of the patient was top of mind with every design element of the reception areas, from the charging stations at every seat to the calming aquarium motif that is carried through other areas of pediatrics.

*13 private rooms line the hallways of the new Pediatric Emergency Department at Clara Maass Medical Center*

The Pediatric Emergency Department is equipped with 13 private rooms, with which I was very impressed. While I haven’t been in many ED’s in my life, that few times that I have, I was never put into a private room, but placed in one large room, with patients separated by curtains. As you can see from the pictures, the rooms are spacious and calming.

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After touring the gorgeous new facilities, I was able to ask Dr. John Fontanetta a few questions that would apply to not only NJMOM’s but all moms in general. Dr. John Fontanetta is an emergency medicine physician in Belleville, New Jersey and is affiliated with Clara Maass Medical Center He received his medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Hopefully you find this helpful.

What are some tips / advice you have for your patients, especially mothers?

Form a good relationship with your pediatrician and work with them to understand how to take care of simple fevers and minor illnesses. Also, learn to take advantage of the support system around you, be it family or friends… basically your mom tribe.

When it comes to fevers, when should you start to worry?

102 degree fever in kids is when you should start to worry. First thing, call your pediatrician. Look for localization of the fever (for example, are they tugging at their ears/throat). Understand what types of illnesses’ are going around in your community. Know how to administer the correct dosage of Children’s Tylenol. If fever doesn’t start to go down after the Children’s Tylenol, it’s time to go into the Emergency Department.

*I would also add, make sure you have a good thermometer and know how to use it.

Belleville’s Councilman and Deputy Mayor Vincent Cozzarelli, Dr. Mary Ellen Clyne, President and Chief Executive Officer of Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville Mayor Michael Melham and Belleville Councilwoman at-Large, Naomy DePena cut a ceremoni… — Belleville’s Councilman and Deputy Mayor Vincent Cozzarelli, Dr. Mary Ellen Clyne, President and Chief Executive Officer of Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville Mayor Michael Melham and Belleville Councilwoman at-Large, Naomy DePena cut a ceremonial ribbon on December 23rd to officially open the Pediatric Emergency Department.

The new Pediatric Emergency Department at Clara Maass Medical Center is well designed, well-staffed and so necessary for the community and surrounding communities of Belleville, NJ. Should you ever find yourself there, you will be in excellent hands.