Patient Resources
Prepare for Your Outpatient Visit

Tips for Outpatient Visits

Whether you’re visiting Cincinnati Children’s Burnet Campus or one of our neighborhood locations, we want the experience to go as smoothly as possible for you and your child. We can answer some of the questions you might have as you and your child prepare for your visit.

Has the patient or adult caregiver recently tested positive for COVID-19?

If the patient has tested positive for COVID-19: Patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the 10 days before an appointment should only visit campus if the appointment is medically urgent. If you are not sure if your child’s appointment is medically urgent, please contact the department for guidance. For all other appointments scheduled within the 10-day isolation period after a positive test, please call to reschedule the appointment, or request a switch to video visit.

If the adult who is bringing a patient has tested positive for COVID-19: If you, or the adult who is supposed to attend an appointment with your child, has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days, please do not come to the appointment. If possible, ask another adult caregiver, who is healthy, to accompany your child. If another adult isn’t available, please call to reschedule the appointment, request a switch to video visit or ask for guidance if the visit is medically necessary. If you aren’t sure, please call and someone can help you make a plan.

> Learn More About Visiting Cincinnati Children's During the Coronavirus Outbreak

What time should we arrive for our appointment?
Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment unless you are asked to check-in earlier.
  • Medication card: Complete the medication card that was mailed to you before your appointment date and bring it with you. To help keep your child safe, your care providers need to know all prescription, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal or nutritional supplements your child is taking.
  • Insurance card and a form of payment: Remember to bring all insurance cards with you to your visit. Insurance co-pays, if required, are due at your appointment. If your child does not have insurance coverage, call our financial counselors at 513-636-0201 before your appointment.
  • Consent: We will need consent from you, as your child’s parent or legal guardian, to provide care. If you are unable to attend the appointment, please provide your child’s escort with a phone number where you can be reached at the time of the appointment. We must be able to reach you for consent before we can treat your child. You can read more about our consent forms.
If your child does not have current health insurance, we may be able to provide you with assistance. Call our Financial Counselors at 513-636-0201 before your appointment.

For assistance with home medical equipment, please contact Home Care Services at 513-636-4663.

If you or your child uses a service animal, such as a guide dog, it may accompany you in public areas of Cincinnati Children’s. For more information, contact Risk Management at 513-636-4707 or our Infection Control Program at 513-636-8492.

We can help your child with developmental or behavioral challenges have a successful visit. Learn about the Adaptive Care Team.

We can help with your family’s travel plans, find lodging, and schedule your child’s multiple appointments when your child needs to see several specialists in separate divisions. Read more about our Services for Traveling Patients.

Patients age 18 or older who have the ability to make an informed decision have the right to make their own medical treatment decisions. You also have the right to draft an advance directive that gives instructions for healthcare in case you are no longer able to participate in treatment decisions. For more information or copies of advance directive forms:

  • Admitting, 513-636-4207
  • Social Services, 513-636-4711
  • Talk to your nurse or doctor

If you or your doctor feels your child is not able to understand the risks and benefits of medical treatment and cannot make informed medical decisions, you must arrange for a legal guardian to be appointed for that purpose. To obtain legal guardianship for an adult child, parents must apply to the probate court in the county where the child lives. For more information, contact a lawyer or the probate court.


 

If you have a concern about the quality of care or a safety issue, please speak to your child’s nurse or doctor, or to the unit manager. Here are steps you can take if you have a concern or grievance that cannot be immediately addressed by your care team:

Contact Family Relations to speak to a patient advocate

Contact the Ohio Department of Health

Contact The Joint Commission, the organization that accredits hospitals nationwide.

Medicare beneficiaries have the right to request a review of their grievances by Ohio’s Quality Improvement Organization. Medicare patients may make this request through Family Relations or by calling the Ohio Medicare Beneficiary helpline at 1-800-589-7337 or www.ohiokepro.com.

Read more about Your Rights and Responsibilities.

 

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