What to Expect at Your Visit at the Aerodigestive and Esophageal Center
We treat children with a wide variety of airway and digestive disorders. Depending on your child’s individual challenges, you may need to see many different specialists. We make that as easy as possible by coordinating with doctors and providers from different specialties, including otolaryngology, pulmonology, pediatric surgery, gastroenterology, nutrition services and speech pathology services.
Your first visit to the Aerodigestive and Esophageal Center will likely last three to five days, depending on your child’s needs. During that time, our team members will perform evaluations and tests and meet to determine a care plan for your child.
Making an Appointment at the Aerodigestive and Esophageal Center
Your child’s pediatrician or provider can refer your child to our center.
Before Your Appointment
A nurse will contact you before your child’s appointment to prepare for the upcoming visit. During this call, we will:
- Gather information about any symptoms
- Collect past test results and medical records (We’ll provide instructions on how to share this information with us.)
- Provide pre-visit instructions
During this call, we also can answer questions you have before your child’s visit. Of course, you’re welcome to call any time before or after your child’s visit.
The Aerodigestive and Esophageal Center team will meet before your visit to review your child’s history and will determine what type of clinic visits and appointments will be needed during your visit.
On the Day of Your Visit to the Aerodigestive and Esophageal Center
Arriving At Your Clinic Appointments
Plan to arrive about 30 minutes before your child’s clinic appointments. This will allow you 15 minutes to park and walk to our clinic, and 15 minutes to check in at our registration desk.
Arrival for Procedures in the Operating Room
For other procedures that will be performed in the Operating Room during your visit, specific check in times will be provided.
Your child’s entire team of sub-specialists will be present in the operating room to ensure a thorough diagnostic evaluation and to minimize the time your child spends under anesthesia.
If you will be delayed in arriving to any of your appointments or OR procedures, please contact us as soon as possible.
The multidisciplinary team will meet to review the results, and then contact you to share their findings and discuss the treatment recommendations. Please know that at times, additional tests may be needed before a specific treatment plan is recommended.
After Your Visit to the Aerodigestive and Esophageal Center.
You will receive an “After Visit Summary” at the end of your series of appointments. It will include important details about next steps, including medications, procedures, and follow-up visits. It also will include contact information for your child’s care team.
