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:

  • Physicians with admitting privileges are required to place an electronic bed request through EPIC.
  • The Access Center does not accept faxes or any written materials regarding physician orders, patient care regimens or treatment plans for patients. All discussions regarding medical follow-up is discussed with Children’s medical providers.

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:

  • Call the Access Center at 1-888-730-DOCS to access Children’s from anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Access Center provides referring physicians access to consultations, transfers to the Emergency Departments and inpatient care units, including critical care.

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 Referral Service

To refer a patient to the Emergency Department, call the Access Center at 888-730-DOCS or call directly at 214-456-8145. Ask for a referral coordinate to assist you. The Access Center is open 24 hours, seven days a week. 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 ask for a physician referral coordinator to assist you, or call the service directly at 800-244-5379. 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.

To Admit or Refer

888-730-DOCS