Preparing for your visit or stay at Children's Health℠
Children’s Health hosts a family-centered environment to help make your child's stay and treatment as comfortable as possible. Make an appointment, learn more about resources for your child and take steps to prepare for your visit or longer stay at Children’s Health.
Patient Guidebook
A hospital visit or stay can be overwhelming. At Children’s Health℠, our goal is to help patient families have the best experience possible. Our patient guidebook includes information about services, amenities, visitor resources, frequently asked questions and more.
Primary Care (PCP) appointment
If you are planning your first visit to a primary care office, keep in mind these helpful tips to make your visit go smoothly.
Specialist appointment
Check in for your appointment before you arrive! Children's Health now offers contactless check-in through MyChart. Arrive early to allow extra time for parking and check-in for your child's appointment.
Items to bring for check-in:
Insurance information
Important documents, such as X-rays or other pertinent medical records
Your child's immunization record
A list of all medications your child is taking (including prescription, over- the-counter and herbal)
Photo ID of the parent or legal guardian escorting the child
Service Line Specific Guides
Surgery
We focus on a family-friendly environment to help make your child's surgery day at Children’s as comfortable as possible. We want you and your child to know what to expect every step of the way. If your doctor is sending you to Children's Health for surgery for only the day, you will have access to all our special services and care.
Pre-operative/pre-surgical assessment
If your child is having day surgery, you will be scheduled for a pre-surgical assessment appointment. At that time, you will get important information about preparing for surgery, such as limiting food and drink in the hours before surgery. Please follow these instructions carefully.
Pre-registration
Our staff will call you to confirm personal information, including details about insurance. If we are unable to reach you by phone and you do not hear from us the day before surgery, please call 214-456-2190 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to ensure a timely appointment.
If you are unable to keep this appointment, please call 214-456-7000.
Day of Surgery: items to bring to check-In
To process your check-in smoothly, please bring the following items with you:
Insurance information
Important documents, such as x-rays or other pertinent medical records
Your child's immunization record
A list of all medications your child is taking (including prescription, over-the-counter and herbal)
Photo ID of the parent or legal guardian escorting the child
Your child's favorite stuffed animal or toy
Resources for Surgical Procedures:
After surgery
If your child is scheduled for day surgery or outpatient surgery, you can expect a surgery with a quick recovery time. Your child will not need to spend the night in the hospital.
Insurance and co-pays
Insurance deductibles and co-payments for the facility use are due when your child checks in for surgery. The fees that are being collected on the day of surgery cover the use of the facility only and do not include laboratory, pathology, surgeon or anesthesiologist fees, which will be billed separately.
Please contact your insurance company to confirm that the surgery is authorized and to learn what your personal out-of-pocket expenses will be. Be sure to specify that it is “outpatient surgery.” Any questions about the insurance approval for surgery should be directed to your surgeon’s office. Visit Billing and Insurance for more information.
Overnight stays
There’s nothing like your presence (.docx) to make your sick child feel better. That is why parents or legal guardians are welcome to stay 24 hours a day with their child.
One adult friend or family member may also be assigned to stay overnight in place of a parent or legal guardian. However, children younger than 18 are not permitted to spend the night in your child’s room.
Hospital amenities
For your comfort, each patient room has a recliner, sleeping chair or sofa, and additional hospital amenities are available for your comfort.
What you should bring
If you and your child are spending the night, please review the following list to find out what you need to bring:
Some of your child’s favorite things to make the room more comfortable.
Extra clothing for you and your child
Insurance information
Important documents, such as X-rays and other pertinent medical records
Your child's immunization record
A list of all medications your child is taking (including prescription, over-the- counter and herbal)
Photo ID of the parent or legal guardian escorting the child
Any medications or other items that parents will need while away from home
Our gift shops offer personal items for sale, or if you have forgotten something from home, please contact Social Work at 214-456-2300.
Laboratory / Imaging (x-ray)
Laboratory
View your lab results within MyChart or the Children’s Health Mobile App! All laboratory tests ordered during an outpatient visit should be posted to your patient record within 96 hours.
If you do not see your most recent test results, contact your provider and ask them to release the results.
Radiology/imaging
At Children's Health we follow Image Gently and ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) guidelines to limit radiation exposure, while still producing the highest-quality imaging. Our radiologists have sub-specialty training and formal certification in pediatric radiology providing a unique level of experience.
Analytical Imaging and Modeling Center (AIM)
When you visit the Analytical Imaging and Modeling (AIM) Center at Children’s Health, an imaging specialist will welcome you and provide you with an overview of the imaging procedure planned for your child to the imaging lab. All images are obtained in a private lab, and one patient is scanned at a time. Appointments at the AIM Center may vary in length depending on the imaging employed and the protocol used.
Note: Imaging results will not be available online.
How do I get a school and/or work excuse note?
If you need a note to excuse leave from work or school, visit MyChart or the Children’s Health Mobile App.
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How do I prepare for a primary care (PCP) appointment?
Children’s Health is here to make life better for children. The physicians who practice at Children’s Health will diagnose your child, coordinate care and help your child avoid getting sick in the first place. And if your child needs more advanced care, we’re here to connect you with the right specialist.
If you are planning your first visit to a primary care office, keep in mind these helpful tips to make your visit go smoothly:
Make sure you have your updated address, telephone number and insurance information.
Bring a list of medications your child is currently taking.
Bring your immunization/vaccine booklet or an updated list of vaccines given to your child.
Be ready to answer questions about your child’s medical history – allergies, past injuries or illness.
Arrive a little early to increase your chances of being seen on time or having a short wait.
Bring books, an iPad or games that will distract your child while you wait.
Print out and complete the new patient forms and bring them with you to your first visit.
For additional information click here.
How do I prepare for a specialist appointment?
Children's Health now offers contactless check-in in MyChart. If you don't already have a MyChart account, it's easy to sign up. Learn more.
What do I need to bring with me to my child's appointment?
Insurance information
Important documents, such as X-rays or other pertinent medical records
Your child's immunization record
A list of all medications your child is taking (including prescription, over- the-counter and herbal)
Photo ID of the parent or legal guardian escorting the child
Please allow extra time for parking and checking-in for your child's appointment.
How do I prepare for day surgery?
We focus on a family-friendly environment to help make your child's surgery day at Children’s as comfortable as possible. We want you and your child to know what to expect every step of the way. Your doctor may be sending you to Children's for only the day (even if your child is having surgery). You will have access to all our special services and care.
Pre-operative/pre-surgical assessment appointment
If your child is having day surgery, you will be scheduled for a pre-surgical assessment appointment. At that time, you will get important information about preparing for surgery, such as limiting food and drink in the hours before surgery. Please follow the instructions carefully.
Pre-registration
Our staff will call you to get personal information, including details about insurance. If our staff is unable to reach you by phone and you do not hear from us the day before surgery, please call 214-456-2190 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. This will make your child’s check-in go more quickly.
Insurance and co-pays
Insurance deductibles and co-payments for the facility use are due when your child checks in for surgery. The fees that are being collected on the day of surgery cover the use of the facility only. They do not include laboratory, pathology, surgeon or anesthesiologist fees. You will be billed separately for those services. Please contact your insurance company to confirm that the surgery is authorized and to learn what your personal out-of-pocket expenses will be. Be sure to specify that it is “outpatient surgery.” Any questions regarding the insurance approval for surgery should be directed to your surgeon’s office.
What to bring with you on the day of surgery
To minimize waiting time and to make your child’s visit go as smoothly as possible, please check over the following list and make sure to bring the listed items when you bring your child in for day surgery:
Insurance information
Important documents, such as x-rays or other pertinent medical records
Your child's immunization record
A list of all medications your child is taking (including prescription, over- the-counter and herbal)
Photo ID of the parent or legal guardian escorting the child
Your child's favorite stuffed animal or toy
After surgery
If your child is scheduled for day surgery or outpatient surgery, you can expect a surgery with a quick recovery time. Your child will not need to spend the night in the hospital.
If you are unable to keep this appointment, please call 214-456-7000.
How do I prepare for overnight stays?
We focus on a family-friendly environment to help make your child's overnight stay at Children’s as comfortable as possible.
What can I expect during an overnight stay?
There’s nothing like your presence to make your sick child feel better. That is why parents or legal guardians are welcome to stay 24 hours a day with their child. One adult friend or family member may also be assigned to stay overnight in place of a parent or legal guardian. However, children younger than 18 are not permitted to spend the night in your child’s room.
Amenities
For your comfort, each child’s room has a recliner, sleeping chair or sofa. Showers are located on the 5th and 6th floors for patient families to use. You’ll also find special electric plugs for hair dryers and other electrical appliances in these areas.
What you should bring
If you and your child are spending the night, please review the following list to find out what you need to bring:
Some of your child’s favorite things to make the room more comfortable.
Extra clothing for you and your child
Insurance information
Important documents, such as X-rays and other pertinent medical records
Your child's immunization record
A list of all medications your child is taking (including prescription, over-the- counter and herbal)
Photo ID of the parent or legal guardian escorting the child
Any medications or other items that parents will need while away from home
If you need help in getting toiletries that you might have forgotten to bring from home, please contact Social Work at 214-456-2300.
Additional lodging
Parents can also stay at the Ronald McDonald House, depending on available rooms and other factors. Our social workers are available around the clock. They can help with these arrangements and other needs. Our Social Services department can also help arrange a stay at nearby hotels. Many area hotels offer discounted rates.
Will I have after-hours access?
To keep the campus safe and secure, some entrances are locked after visiting hours. Parents and legal guardians may still enter through three areas on the Dallas campus:
The Tower D Lobby, which can be accessed from Hospital Parking (formerly known as Green Park) and the main valet entrance
The Emergency Parking (formerly known as Blue Park) Skybridge entrance
The Emergency Department entrance
How do I prepare for a laboratory and/or imaging (x-ray) appointment?
We focus on a family-friendly environment to help make your child's treatment at Children’s Health as comfortable and convenient as possible. We want you and your child to know what to expect every step of the way.
Laboratory
All outpatient laboratory tests ordered during an outpatient visit should be posted within 96 hours. If you do not see your most recent test results, contact your provider and ask them to release the results. Parents may access their child’s lab results by signing in or registering for an online account here.
If you have trouble registering or signing in, call our service desk at [866-499-2742](tel:t 8664992742) during normal business hours.
Radiology/imaging
While still producing the highest-quality imaging, at Children's Health we follow Image Gently and ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) guidelines to limit radiation exposure. Our radiologists have sub-specialty training and formal certification in pediatric radiology providing a unique level of experience. Learn more.
Analytical Imaging and Modeling Center (AIM)
When you visit the Analytical Imaging and Modeling (AIM) Center at Children’s Health an imaging specialist will welcome you and provide you with an overview of the imaging procedure planned for your child. Parents or guardians can accompany the patient to the imaging lab. All images are obtained in a private lab, and one patient is scanned at a time. Appointments at the AIM Center may vary in length depending on the imaging employed and the protocol used.
Note: Imaging results will not be available online.
Remember, our Children’s Health staff is here to help. If you have questions or need more information, please feel free to ask. You may also want to read the answers to questions we hear most often from parents and families in our frequently asked questions below.
What do I do after the appointment?
Notes from your child's appointment will be sent to your child's primary care provider and referring provider. After the appointment or during any necessary hospitalization, the diagnosis, evaluation and recommended treatment information is promptly provided to the referring physician.
Detailed discharge information and ongoing care instructions (also know as an after visit summary) will be given to you and your referring physician. This information will include educational resources and outreach providers of care for you, and a consultation letter for your referring provider. Both will address post-visit care for your child.
How do I get a school and/or work excuse?
Our clinics also post these excuses online via the patient's MyChart account. Click here to register or sign in.
Remember, our Children’s staff is here to help. If you have questions or need more information, please feel free to ask. Discover our frequently asked questions to see the questions we hear most often from parents and families.
