Airway and Esophageal Center

Refer a Patient

How to Refer a Patient

We treat children with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), esophageal atresia (EA) and airway stenosis. Patients experiencing difficulty feeding who don’t have these conditions should be referred to our Pediatric Feeding Program.

All referrals are reviewed by an Otolaryngology triage nurse and may be redirected to another specialty or subspecialty clinic if there is a more appropriate place to see them. Please provide as much detail as possible about the patient’s condition and diagnosis to assist us in the triaging and scheduling process.

If you are unsure about whether to refer your patient, please call our Clinical Intake Nurses at 206-987-2080, option 1. To locate or expedite a referral, call the Clinical Intake Coordinators at 206-987-2080, option 2.

Patients must have a referral in order to schedule an appointment.

Appointment availability

Updated November 2023.

We are accepting new referrals and typically see new patients within 2 to 3 months.

Referral requirements

Please submit a referral that is complete. This helps us schedule your patient’s appointment in a timely manner and ensure their first visit is smooth and productive. 

Please include:

  • Service/specialty clinic requested – Airway and Esophageal Center
  • Reason for referral: What is the clinical question for the specialist?
  • If the referral is urgent (see within 4 weeks) or routine (next available)
  • ICD-10 diagnosis – required
  • Visit type:
    • New patient consult, transfer of care, second opinion or return visit/ongoing care
  • ALL relevant clinical documents:
    • Clinic notes
    • Medication history
    • Growth charts/curves 
    • Lab reports
    • Imaging and diagnostic reports (images can be uploaded to PowerShare)
    • Previous specialty evaluations
  • Patient’s full name, DOB, sex, address, guardian contact information and insurance
  • Referring provider’s name, phone, fax and the referral coordinator’s email address so that we may contact you if additional information is needed
  • If an interpreter is needed
  • Any known barriers to performing a successful telehealth (video) visit with the family
  • Previous endoscopy reports, VFSS reports, radiology reports and audiograms
  • Biopsy results

Please note:

  • Patients who have not been seen by our department in the last 3 years will need a new referral.
  • We see new patients through age 20. If your patient is 21 or older, we ask that you refer them to an otolaryngology provider for adults.
  • If the Airway and Esophageal Center is not the right choice for your patient, we will redirect your referral to the appropriate group, usually Otolaryngology.

Submit a referral

If imaging studies (CT, MRI, X-rays) have been done, please upload to PowerShare. 

Please call our Clinical Intake Nurses if you need assistance: 206-987-2080, option 1.

We’re committed to partnering with you

If we evaluate your patient and determine they do not have a condition that requires ongoing evaluation and management in a specialty setting, we will return them to you with an appropriate plan of care.

We are always available to answer questions and support your care of your patients.

  • Diagnosis and treatment options: call 206-987-7777 (Provider-to-Provider Line).
  • Referring or transporting a patient to our Emergency Department or Urgent Care: call 206-987-8899 or, toll free, 866-987-8899 (ED Communications Center).
  • Questions about scheduling and referrals, including locating or expediting a referral: call 206-987-2080 (Clinical Intake Nurses).

Learn more about managing your patients at Seattle Children's, including viewing your patient’s records.

Meet the Airway and Esophageal Center team.

We see patients at Seattle Children’s Bellevue Clinic and Surgery Center.

What Your Patients Can Expect

  • We will call your patient to schedule appointments as they become available.
  • The wait for appointments is 2 to 3 months.
  • We see patients at Seattle Children’s clinic in Bellevue.

Resources for Families

See airway and esophageal resources for patients and families.

Resources for Providers