Description of Services

The staff of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC's Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine evaluates and treats more than 60,000 children in the Emergency Department each year. Acute and chronic problems of all levels of severity, including acute illnesses, exacerbations of chronic problems and all types of injuries are managed by the faculty and staff. An attending-level pediatric emergency physician is on duty for direct patient care and supervision of all patients seen in the Emergency Department 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The mission of the staff of the Emergency Department is to deliver the highest quality care to children with acute illnesses and injuries, as well as provide excellence in service to our patients and referring physicians.

Pediatric Trauma Care
Children’s Emergency Department has been designated as the region’s only Level 1 (highest level) Regional Resource Pediatric Trauma Center. Subspecialists in all pediatric medical and surgical disciplines are available to provide the highest level of definitive care. The Emergency Department also includes the Fast Track area where children with mild acute illnesses and injuries are evaluated and treated. No appointment is required.

Referrals, Transfers and Transport
Children’s Hospital’s Communications Center responds to all emergency calls from referring physicians or institutions, including calls for transport, referral and consultation. Staffed by trained dispatchers, the Communications Center refers surgical consultation calls to the senior pediatric surgery fellow and refers medical emergencies and transport calls to the pediatric intensive care fellow.

Arrangements for ground and air transportation are coordinated and monitored by the Communications Center dispatcher. Continuous updates are provided to the receiving physician. Medical advice is provided to the referring physician for stabilization prior to transport with backup from both attending surgeons and intensivists who are available 24 hours a day via phone. In addition, multiple conferencing capabilities enable consultation with appropriate specialists.

Primary care physicians may call (412-692-8431) or fax (412-692-3558) the Emergency Department directly regarding patients who are being referred for care from the office or clinic.

For Physicians

A multidisciplinary clinical effectiveness team at Children’s Hospital has developed a number of practice guidelines, including for the management of bronchiolitis, asthma, gastroenteritis and more. Call 412-692-7743 with questions.

Bronchiolitis Practice Guideline
Guideline narrative
Emergency Department guideline
Inpatient guideline
Information sheet for parents

Referral Requirements

Most health insurance plans require patients to receive a referral from a primary care physician prior to or within 24 hours of a visit to the Emergency Department.

Chief of Service
Richard A. Saladino, MD

Our Physicians
Oluwatobi Adeyeye, MD
Isabela Angelelli, MD
Mananda S. Bhende, MD
Jonathan Bickel, MD
Kristin Farrell, MD
Martin Hellman, MD
Robert W. Hickey, MD
Denise G. Karasic, DO
Raymond B. Karasic, MD
Christopher King, MD
Janet Kinnane, MD
Rhett Lieberman, MD
Mioara Manole, MD
Erin D. Phrampus, MD
Raymond D. Pitetti, MD
Melissa Robert, MD
Kimberly R. Roth, MD, MPH
Sonia Singh, MD
Noel Zuckerbraun, MD

Clinical Support Staff
Aaron Carpenter, CRNP
Debra Hornyak, CRNP
Christyne Kyper, CRNP
Ginger Moyer, PA-C
April Protzik, PA-C
Alicia Vespignani, PA-C