What to Expect

What To Expect During Your First Visit

Thank you for choosing The Heart Institute at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center for your child's cardiac care. To make your first visit easier, we would like to describe the visit and what to expect.

We have a team of specialists to take part in your child's care, including physicians, nurses, patient / family advocates and many others. Your child may not see all the team members, but they are available for consultation.

How Long Will My Visit Take?

Plan on your first visit lasting 90 minutes to two hours. The cardiology nurse, cardiologist and EKG technician each will see you and your child.

You may also see a resident and one of the cardiology fellows. The fellows are fully trained pediatricians who are completing their specialty training in pediatric cardiology. At the end of the visit, the physicians and nurse will discuss with you their findings and a plan of care. A follow-up appointment will be arranged for you as needed.

If any additional testing is required, this could lengthen your appointment time. If not medially urgent, you may choose to have additional testing done at a later date and time.

Due to the complexity of the patients we see, delays are sometimes unavoidable. We will make every attempt to see you and your child in a timely manner and will keep you informed on any delays.

How To Prepare For Your First Visit

To prepare for your first visit, please complete the medical history forms for your child and bring them to your first appointment. This will help your care team to learn about your child. By completing the forms prior to your visit, you can save time in at the Heart Institute.

In order to provide the safest care for the patient, your care providers should know about all prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal and nutritional supplements your child is taking.