Do you lie in the ER?

[TinyMama]

No flaming necessary...I'm already certain I did the wrong thing. Just looking for some tips/BTDT stories.

DD was in the ER a few days ago for dehydration. I was as certain as I could be that it wasn't a VPD. So when I was asked if she was up to date on her shots, I just said yes. DH was very upset w/me, but he didn't want to contradict me--we both just wanted the iv in DD immediately.

Of course we hope there won't be a next time, but any advice in case there is?

[mamakah]

I (knock on wood) have not been to er lately, but if I were to go...i would probably lie. I think the docs and nurses in the ER are more than happy to call CPS for such things. Only time I would tell the truth is if I was scared and child had symptoms of vpd. But if I were in for broken leg or something...no way would I tell the truth. That would just add to the.."oh, so your child has a broken leg...and not vaccinated..." assumptions. I don't think you will get too many arguments here, I often hear of moms lying to ER drs. about vaccinations.

[nummies]

I probably wouldn't lie. I would probably just say

"He has had all the shots he needs." And leave it at that. Not a lie, not the truth, somewhere in-between.

[readytobedone]

Originally Posted by TinyMama

No flaming necessary...I'm already certain I did the wrong thing. Just looking for some tips/BTDT stories.

DD was in the ER a few days ago for dehydration. I was as certain as I could be that it wasn't a VPD. So when I was asked if she was up to date on her shots, I just said yes. DH was very upset w/me, but he didn't want to contradict me--we both just wanted the iv in DD immediately.

Of course we hope there won't be a next time, but any advice in case there is?

well, it looks like our DDs are exactly the same age, and i am also a liar

i had the same situation as you--a trip to the ER and i KNEW this wasn't something that vax status would affect. it was a stomach virus. if anything, i suppose it MIGHT have been rota, but i didn't see how having that dx would make a difference for treatment. we just needed to make sure she wasn't dehydrated, which luckily she wasn't.

we were also OOT, in louisiana to be exact, and i wasn't thrilled with the prospect of telling a louisiana ER doc i don't vax my kid

so i just said she was up to date but no flu shot. they asked at least 3 times during our visit--different people--if she was up to date. i always thought i would tell the truth in that situation, and i was surprised to find that i didn't. i don't necessarily think that was a bad decision, though, in my case--or in yours. i wouldn't lie if i thought it mattered, or if i were dealing with HCPs locally that we might see again.

[JBaxter]

I just say no we delay. I have a sister and brother who are ER nurses my brother delays his own daughter.

[SoCaliMommy]

No

I took my son in to the ER because bad vomiting high high fever and i couldn't get in with his ped. they did ask about shots but i said he wan't up to date and it was no big deal at all. He ended up having a slight ear infection and a bad cough.

[Drummer's Wife]

well, they usually ask if your child is "up to date" on their immunizations. so for us, it is true. To date, he has what I think he needs

[travisandjill]

I have lied and also said that we delay before. No biggie

[Niamh]

I don't lie. I say 'we delay', because we do. We delay them for life unless a situation changes our mind. The health personnel may need to know that this child hasn't received a vaccine, and I'm very solid not only in our decision but in my current state's stand on my rights as far as vaccines are concerned.

If I were in a less friendly state? My answer might be different. I have no problem lying to protect my child.

[Alyantavid]

I did. We haven't had our 2.5 year old vaxed since he was 1. He fell in the tub a few weeks ago and needed stitches. They ask if he was up to date and I said yes. I didn't really see how going into a lengthy explanation would help fix his head.

[babysanchez614]

couldn't you just say "no, due to religious beliefs" ?

[SharonAnne]

That's what I did, Tina, when my DD1 fell and split her forehead open on a railing. We were an hour from home and not at "our hospital". When the doctor asked if she was up to date, I said "We don't immunize for religous reasons" and no one said anythign to me after that.

But, I wasn't even thinking "Cripes, they're going to call CPS" because I just wanted to get my little girl stitched up When I thought about it later, I got nervous and worried for a few days that DYFS was going to show up at my house.

[the_lissa]

I've never been asked, but I wouldn't lie.

[k9sarchik]

The only time so far that I took DS to the ER, they asked and I said NO. Neither the Dr. or the nurse batted an eyelash.

[fruitfulmomma]

We have only been in twice. The first time they didn't ask. The second time he asked and I said, no we are not vaxxing at this time. He didn't say anything else. If he had pushed it, I would have just told him we had spoken with our doctor who was supportive of our decision, which is true even though he doesn't agree with us.

Oh, and the first time we were at the er for my daughters getting into rat poison and they claimed they called CPS and that some lady was going to come to the house. We would not have let her in if she had, but I didn't want to make a scene while we were at the hospital so I just went along with it. But I guess she was too busy because we have never heard from her and that was about three years ago.

[spero]

No, I don't lie about my kids' vaccine status. Personally, I think it's important for the chart to be as accurate as possible.

[KavaKaya]

I did.
Same as PP, DS had a split forehead and at the ER when asked if he was up to date, I said "yes, pretty much". DH started to explain when the nurse cut him off and said that she thought most of the vaccines aren't necessary and that there are too many these days

[MoonWillow]

I am not sure what I would do in the heat of the moment but lying and saying that my kids were vaxed when they are not may cause them not to consider VPD's even if g*d forbid one of my children actually had one.

[Full Heart]

Never lied. No one has ever cared except for a dr at an Urgent care some years ago (like 10 years ago). Haven't had a problem before or since.

Hospitals do have the ability to see the vaccination status list for your state so lying wouldn't get you anywhere. Which is probably why a lot of places don't even ask anymore, they just look it up.

[bandgeek]

I just say no and only tell them what they ask specifically. A lot of times it ends there. Sometimes they ask if she's had any and I just say, "No she's not vaccinated at all." If they ask why I just say, "For personal reasons."

I've *never* had anyone inquire further than that. We've been to the ER with DD probably 15-20 times now.

I figure if they were so damn concerned about my daughter's health, they would give us the option of the synagis shot, but apparently she's not a candidate even though she aspirates, has frequent pneumonias, every illness lands her in the hospital, and she's on oxygen. If anybody tried to tell me I was a bad mom for refusing shots, I'd tell them that they should be more concerned with things that are *actually* a risk to her health, like RSV. Sorry, rant over.