Preparing for Your Child’s Clinic Visit

• Get a MyChart account and the Seattle Children's App

  A MyChart account allows you to manage your child’s care and communicate with your healthcare team more easily. Once you have a MyChart account, you can download the MyChart app by searching for MyChart in the Apple App Store or Google Play. After downloading, search for Seattle Children’s Hospital within the app.

  • Request MyChart Access to My Record (I’m a patient who is 13 years old or more)
  • Request MyChart Access to My Child’s Record (I’m a legal guardian of a patient who is 17 years or younger)
  • Give Someone Else Access to My Record Through MyChart (I’m an adult patient who is 18 years or older)

  Download the Seattle Children’s app

  Seattle Children’s has its own app, which also includes access to the MyChart mobile app and has information about services and amenities that are available to you once you arrive at your appointment, as well as features like wayfinding and events. You can also use this app to join a Telemedicine visit, without having to download Zoom.

  

  

• Fill out any pre-visit forms or questionnaires

  In some cases, your clinic may send you forms or questionnaires to complete before your visit. If you have a MyChart account, any forms or questionnaires that can be completed ahead of your visit may be sent to you through MyChart. There are some questionnaires that may only be completed in clinic, and our staff will let you know about those after you arrive.

• Collect X-rays and test results

  Ask your primary care provider for your child's X-rays and test results to bring with you.

• Check insurance and cost of care

  For some services, Seattle Children’s may be able provide an estimate based on what we know about your child’s treatment and other factors. Learn about insurance and get an estimated cost of care.

  Providers

  Your plan may have a preferred provider list. Our doctors are often listed under Children’s University Medical Group (CUMG). Our nurse practitioners and physician assistants may be listed by their last names or under Seattle Children’s Hospital.

  Referrals

  If your plan requires a referral from your primary care provider, have them fax it to us at 206-985-3121. Make sure we receive the insurance referral at least four days before your visit, or we may need to cancel or reschedule.

  For help, call Seattle Children’s Insurance Processing Department at 206-987-5757.

  Learn about Seattle Children’s facility charges

  Seattle Children’s bills a facility charge for hospital-based clinic visits. Here’s some important information (PDF) about how these charges affect you. Learn more about your bill and Seattle Children’s financial counseling services and financial assistance program.

• Get any needed legal papers

  Birth or adoptive parents do not need to bring a birth certificate or any other legal papers.

  • If you are a legal guardian, (not by birth or adoption), we will need to see the legal papers that say so.
  • If you are the parent, but do not have legal custody, we will need to see the legal papers that allow you to make healthcare decisions for your child.
  • If you do not have the legal papers we need to see, call our Social Work Department at 206-987-2760 (voice) or 206-987-5186 (TTY) for help.
• Learn about suicide screening during clinic appointments

  If your child is aged 10 and above, during their visit you may be asked to step out of the room for a few minutes while a healthcare provider asks your child about suicide risk and safety.

  You are an important member of your child’s healthcare team, and we respect your involvement in their care. However, this screening is more effective when the questions can be asked in private. Learn more about suicide screening.

  Learn more about suicide prevention.

• Write down your questions

  Write down questions you want to ask during your child's visit. Learn more about what questions to ask when you are talking with your child's doctor.

• Tell us about anything you need or what we should know before you arrive

  Religious or cultural beliefs

  If you have any religious or cultural beliefs that we should accommodate, please let us know at the time of scheduling or by calling your clinic.

  Interpreters

  We offer free interpreters for Deaf and hard-of-hearing, and non-English languages. We should have arranged them when you scheduled.

  Wheelchairs

  If you need a wheelchair when you arrive, let us know at 206-987-2260.

  To learn more, visit our Accessibility and Special Needs section.

• If needed, arrange for transportation and a place to stay

  If you are coming from out of town and need help finding a place to stay or transportation in Seattle or Bellevue, contact Guest Services.

• Know the latest COVID-19 policy

  We recommend that patients, families and visitors wear a medical mask if you have respiratory symptoms like coughing, sneezing, sore throat, runny nose or fever.

  Learn more about our current visitation policy and the rest of the safety measures we have in place.

• Arrange child care for siblings

  The length and nature of your visit may make it difficult for young children to attend. If children attend, we recommend bringing another adult to supervise.

  We have free playrooms for patients and their brothers and sisters ages 3 to 11 who are toilet-trained (no Pull-Ups) at our hospital campus and Bellevue locations.

  Learn more about the Bellevue Playroom. Learn about hours and availability for the Clinic Playroom at the hospital campus.

• Media requests

  If anyone from the media plans to join you for your child’s appointment, you need permission before they can come to the hospital. Call Seattle Children’s Public Relations at 206-987-4500 or email.

We know that going to the hospital is a big event for you and your child. Talking together about their hospital stay ahead of time may help them feel less afraid. Remember, your experience with hospitals may be very different than what your child will experience.

Seattle Children's has a variety of resources to help you talk to your child about his hospital stay. Call the Family Resource Center, your community doctor or the Seattle Children’s clinic that referred your child for admission to get the information you need.

You might find the following resources to be helpful before your child's hospital stay.

• Tips for preparing your child

  Here are some tips to help your child feel safer about their upcoming stay:

  • Listen to your child.
  • Be honest about what will happen and what may hurt.
  • Use short, simple terms your child knows.
  • Reassure your child that if something hurts, there are ways to help ease the pain, including medicine, relaxation, listening to music and playing games.
  • Use one of your child’s stuffed animals to show what will happen and encourage them to ask questions and talk about their fears.
  • Reassure your child that you will be with them as much as you can.
  • If your child seems uneasy talking about the hospital, stop and try again later.
  • Reassure your child that having to go to the hospital does not mean they have done something wrong.
  • Encourage your child to bring toys or activities from home to play with during waiting times.
• Helping children of different ages

  A child understands things based on their age and developmental level. You probably have many ideas of your own. Here are some of ours that you might also find helpful.

  Infants and toddlers

  Infants and toddlers need to have familiar objects around them at the hospital. Bring along your child's favorite toy, blanket or other comfort item.

  2-to-6-year-olds

  As children get older, you can talk with them about going to the hospital and about what will happen while they're there. It is important to let them express their feelings.

  Saying "I'll bet you're wondering what it's going to be like at the hospital, aren't you?" rather than "How do you feel?" will encourage your child to talk.

  Let your child be the doctor to a doll or stuffed toy. They can "operate" on it, give it "shots" or just apply a Band-Aid. Your child might express their feelings more clearly while they’re playing than if you ask them directly.

  Reassure your child that you'll stay with them when you can and that other people will take care of them if you can't be there.

  6-to-12-year-olds

  Many suggestions for younger children are helpful with this age group as well. However, these children understand more than younger children and will ask more questions.

  Explain that the hospital treats children of all ages, with many different medical problems. It's important to explain that doctors, nurses and other people at the hospital will do certain tests and procedures to find out what's making your child ill or to help make them feel better.

  Teenagers

  Teenagers are able to understand more information about their illness and treatment. They may, however, be reluctant to ask questions about things they don't understand. Encourage your teenager to talk to their doctors and nurses about their condition.

  Be sure your child is included in discussions and decisions about their care so that they will feel independent and more in control. Your teen may be worried about their privacy, so reassure them that the hospital staff will treat them with respect.

  Even at this age, a familiar object, journal or favorite tape or CD can help your teen feel calmer in the hospital.

• Blood draw prep book

  From check-in to discharge, follow the colorful photo story of a blood draw here at Seattle Children's lab. Written by Child Life specialists, this helpful booklet can lessen worry and spark conversation.

  • What to Expect During Your Blood Draw at Seattle Children's Lab (PDF)
  • Qué pasará cuando te tomen una muestra de sangre en el Laboratorio de Seattle Children’s (PDF)
  • What to Expect During Your Blood Draw at Seattle Children's Bellevue Lab (PDF)
  • Qué pasará cuando te tomen una muestra de sangre en el Laboratorio de Seattle Children’s en Bellevue (PDF)
• Cast prep book

  Follow the colorful photo story about getting a cast at Seattle Children’s. Written by Child Life specialists, this helpful booklet can lessen worry and spark conversation.

  • What to Expect When You Get a Cast at Seattle Children’s (PDF)
• IV Prep Book

  Follow the colorful photo story about getting an IV here at Seattle Children's. Written by Child Life specialists, this helpful booklet can lessen worry and spark conversation.

  • What to Expect When You Get an IV at Seattle Children's Hospital (PDF)
• Other helpful books

  In addition to the titles below, you can call 206-987-2201 and request a copy of our recommended book list. 

  • Preschool: Franklin Goes to the Hospital
    Paulette Bourgeois, Scholastic Paperbacks, 2000.
  • Preschool to third grade: When You're Sick or in the Hospital: Healing Help for Kids
    Tom McGrath, Abbey Press, 2002.
  • Third to sixth grade: Everything You Need to Know About Staying in the Hospital
    Patricia J. Murphy, Rosen Publishing Group, 2000.
  • Seventh grade and up: Coping With a Hospital Stay  Sharon Carter, Rosen Publishing Group, 2002.
  • Adult: Your Child in the Hospital: A Practical Guide for Parents
    Nancy Keene and Rachel Prentice, Patient Centered Guides, 1999.

  Here are more resources and books (PDF) on how to prepare children of all ages for surgery or a hospital stay.

• Check for illness

  If your child has a new rash, fever or has been exposed to chicken pox in the last three weeks, call us as soon as possible at 206-987-2000 and ask to speak to someone in your child's clinic.

• Arrive early

  We require all patients to be at the check-in desk 15 minutes before their appointment. You may also want to give yourself another 15-20 minutes for parking and security screening. If you are late, we may need to reschedule your appointment.

• Items to bring with you
  • Appointment reminder notices
    • About two weeks before your child's clinic visit, we will send you an appointment reminder notice. It lists the date, time and location of your child's visit.
  • Completed forms
  • Legal papers, if needed
  • Insurance card
  • Patient's Social Security number
  • List of medicines
    • Bring a list of all medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbs your child is taking. You can also bring the actual medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbs with you.
    • It is very important you do not give your child medicines from home while at Children’s.
  • Any test or lab results and x-rays.
  • Medical coupons
    • If your child is on Medicaid, Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Apple Health or Basic Health Plus, bring your medical coupons.
  • Play and comfort items
    • Bring a few of your child’s favorite books, games, toys, or music (please also bring headphones).
    • You may also want to bring snacks and a change of clothes.
• Location information

  For directions, parking, bus and amenities information, visit the Locations page.

  For other clinic and specialty information, visit the Clinics and Programs section.

• Bring siblings to playroom

  The length and nature of your visit may make it difficult for young children to attend. If children attend, we recommend bringing another adult to supervise.

  We have free playrooms for patients and their brothers and sisters ages 3 to 11 who are toilet-trained (no Pull-Ups) at our hospital campus, Bellevue, North Clinic in Everett, and South Clinic in Federal Way locations.

  • Learn more about the Bellevue Playroom.
  • Learn more about the North Clinic in Everett Playroom.
  • Learn more about the South Clinic in Federal Way Playroom.
  • Learn about hours and availability for the Clinic Playroom at the hospital campus.

Here are some helpful questions to ask your child's doctor.

• Condition
  • Do you have written info that I can use to learn more about my child's condition?
• Treatment
  • Can you explain what will be done today?
  • Whom should I talk with if I have questions about my child's care?
  • When and how will I learn about my child's test results?
  • Do I need to schedule a follow-up appointment?
  • Whom do I call in case of an emergency?
  • Whom do I call when the clinic is closed?
• Medicine
  • What is the name of the medicine? What is the medicine for?
  • Is it safe to give if my child has allergies or reactions to some medicine? Is the dose correct for my child's weight?
  • How am I supposed to give it? What time each day? With or without food? What is the best way to measure my child's liquid medicine?
  • How long should my child take the medicine? When should I see an improvement?
  • What are the side effects? What do I do if my child has seen them?
  • Is the medicine safe to give with other medicines or dietary supplements?
  • What food, drink or activities should my child avoid while taking the medicine?
  • Whom do I call if I have questions about the medicine?
• Support
  • Are there any support groups where I can connect with other parents?
  • Do you know of any other local or online resources?