Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Refer a Patient

How to Refer a Patient

Appointment availability

Updated May 2022

We are accepting new referrals including for functional constipation, functional abdominal pain and physiological gastroesophageal reflux. However, wait times have been rising in recent months. Please manage patients with these conditions in primary care whenever possible and appropriate; refer to our extensive Resources for Providers below for assistance.

If you are unsure whether to refer your patient, please call our Clinical Intake Nurses at 206-987-2080, option 1.

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
  • 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 and stool tests
    • 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
  • Preferred clinic location
  • If an interpreter is needed
  • Any known barriers to performing a successful telehealth (video) visit with the family
  • If you are referring a patient for functional constipation, functional abdominal pain or physiological gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), please provide full clinical details including alarm signs/red flags and your prior treatment plan and timeline.

Please note:

  • Patients who have not been seen by our department in the last 18 months will need a new referral.
  • We will see new patients through age 17 only. If your patient is 18 or older, we ask that you refer them to an adult gastroenterology/hepatology provider.

Submit a referral

Please follow the standard referral procedures below:

Please note:

  • Patients are prioritized based on their current condition and acuity and the availability of a specialist to see them. 
  • We will notify you when an appointment is made.
  • Your patient will be seen by the provider who is the best match for managing the current problem.

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 primary care with an appropriate plan of care for the primary care provider.

We are creating tools to support referring providers in caring for patients who have conditions that can be evaluated and treated in primary care.  Learn more in Resources for Providers below.

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 (Emergency Department 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.

Resources for Providers