About Children’s
In 2009, U.S. News & World Report ranked Seattle Children's as one of the best children's hospitals in the country.
In September 2008, Seattle Children’s was honored with Magnet designation, in recognition of nursing excellence.
Ranked as one of the best children's hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report magazine, Children’s serves as the pediatric referral center for Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho.
We're a private nonprofit providing excellent patient care with compassion and respect, and conducting cutting-edge pediatric research. We are also a respected educational resource for parents and healthcare professionals.
Since we opened our doors in 1907, we have maintained our founding promise: to provide needed medical care to all children in our four-state region – regardless of a family's ability to pay.
The need for such uncompensated care has risen dramatically in recent years. In 2001, we provided $24.9 million in uncompensated care. In 2008, the sum topped $86 million, and we expect to provide more than $100 million in uncompensated care in 2009 to families in need and to cover Medicaid payment shortfalls.
Overview of Our Services
The main hospital campus occupies a 24-acre site in Seattle's Laurelhurst neighborhood.
We specialize in meeting the unique physical, emotional and developmental needs of children from infancy through young adulthood using the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic equipment.
Inpatient Care
Our state-of-the art inpatient facilities support a high-tech, high touch approach to patient care:
- 250 inpatient beds (single and double occupancy rooms).
- Level IV Infant Intensive Care Unit provides the highest level of intensive care for newborns.
- Medical Unit's multidisciplinary team treats children newborn to age 21 with a variety of medical conditions.
- Surgical Unit provides care for surgical, cardiac, nephrology and solid organ transplant patients.
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit provides intensive care for children 6 months to age 21.
- Inpatient Psychiatric Unit treats children with psychiatric conditions including eating disorders.
- Rehabilitation / Complex Care Unit provides evaluation and treatment for patients with disabilities due to illness, injury or congenital origin.
Letting Kids Be Kids
We follow a child- and teen-friendly approach to health care and healing. From the friendly replicas of African Sahara animals and mesmerizing aquarium tanks to the kid-friendly medical equipment and the decidedly non-hospital smell, children and teens feel welcome.
- Our Playroom is stocked with toys and features events for all ages. Make an origami paper sculpture, watch a magician or polish rocks; the Playroom offers a different activity every day.
- Children confined to their rooms still have the chance to play with volunteers who bring toys and games to the bedside.
- The Teen Zone, with Xbox® and foosball, hosts fun evening activities.
- Teen Rooms on each patient care unit allow for quiet time with books, magazines, games, crafts and cards.
- The Children's Park with outdoor play equipment and a sport court provides fresh air and room to run.
- The Therapy Pool provides weekly water-play sessions.
- Special therapeutic play programs such as pet, music and art therapy support children and teens during their hospital stay.
- G- and PG-rated movies run daily on TVs in all patient rooms.
Family Centered Care
When a child is hospitalized, the whole family is affected. Our patient care units include amenities to help reduce the inevitable stress of a hospitalization by providing private spaces on each floor for parents to meet with doctors or family members and pull-out couches in each room.
The Family Resource Center provides information and support for patients, families, staff and the community. Child health information is available on specific illnesses and conditions, parenting, growth and development, grief and loss and safety.
Services and facilities are free and include parent massage, vending area with coffee and tea, computers with Internet access, phones, fax, lockers, showers and laundry.
Emergency Services
We provide emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Surgery Center
Providing a broad range of services for children with simple or complex surgical problems, including care before and after surgery.
Specialty and Sub-specialty Clinics
We offer the region's premier diagnosis and specialty care for short-term illness and chronic conditions. We provide leading edge treatment in 54 pediatric specialties.