How to Admit and Refer Patients
Patients may be admitted to Children's Medical Center 24 hours a day. When scheduling elective inpatient and same-day admissions, patients may be pre-admitted.
Physicians with admitting privileges
Physicians with admitting privileges may call the access center at 888-730-DOCS (3627) to refer a patient. Bed management staff will request:
- A written order specifying whether a patient is to be admitted to Inpatient or 23-hour observation status.
- Orders should be faxed to 214-456-7656 or sent directly to Admitting with the patient. If the patient presents for admission and there is no admit order, Admitting will contact the identified attending physician for one.
- Treatment orders may be faxed or sent with the patient.
- Patient name and date of birth.
- Medical record number, if available.
- Reason for admission or probable diagnosis.
- Phone number where you can be called to confirm the child's bed assignment.
Physicians who are not medical staff members
Physicians who are not medical staff members may refer patients by contacting the access center at 888-730-DOCS (3627). We will request the following information:
- Patient name and date of birth.
- Medical record number, if available.
- Reason for admission or probable diagnosis.
- Phone number where you can be called to confirm the child's bed assignment and accepting physician.
Physicians wanting to refer a patient for emergency surgery
Physicians wanting to refer a patient for emergency surgery should call the access center at 888-730-DOCS (3627).
For admissions requiring patient transport
For admissions requiring patient transport, call the access center at 888-730-DOCS (3627). The transport coordinator will request the following information:
- Patient name and date of birth.
- Hospital or location from where the child is being transferred.
- Reason for transfer or probable diagnosis.
- Referring physician and phone number where you can be called to confirm transport arrangements.
The transport coordinator also will request information regarding the status and stability of the patient, including:
- Vital signs
- Glascow coma scale scores
- Oxygen saturation levels
Transport staff will arrange:
- Necessary consults
- An accepting physician
- Bed assignment
- Administrative approval
- Memorandum of transfer
Emergency Department
To refer a patient to the Emergency Department, call the access center at 888-730-DOCS (3627) and a referral nurse coordinator will assist you. Provide the following when calling:
- Patient name and date of birth.
- Patient's chief complaint, reason for referral and past medical history.
- Referring physician's name, phone and fax number.
- An after-hours number where referring physician can be reached.
- Primary care physician's name, phone and fax number.
Referral Care Center
To refer a patient to the Referral Care Center, call the access center at 888-730-DOCS (3627) and a referral nurse coordinator will assist you. Provide the following when calling:
- Patient name and date of birth.
- Patient's chief complaint, reason for referral and past medical history.
- Referring physician's name, phone and fax number.
- An after-hours number where referring physician can be reached.
- Primary care physician's name, phone and fax number.
To refer a patient for outpatient services
To refer a patient for outpatient services, call the access center at 888-730-DOCS (3627) and a physician referral coordinator will assist you, or you may call the service or specialist directly. The physician referral coordinator will request:
- Patient name and date of birth.
- Medical record number, if available.
- Reason for referral.
- Specific service(s) requested.
- Phone number where you can be called to confirm the child's appointment.