Our new building on the hospital campus, Forest B, is open. Families and visitors can park in the new Forest B garage next to Emergency.
During your child's hospital stay, we will do everything possible to make you and your child feel included, safe and comfortable.
You and your child are essential members of the healthcare team. Please ask us questions anytime.
In this section you'll find important information and helpful checklists about coming for a hospital stay.
So that we can care for all of the patients who need our services, we are carefully and thoughtfully resuming shared rooms on some of our patient care units. We are committed to keeping our patients, families and workforce safe from COVID-19 and we are taking extra precautions to make sure that sharing a room does not pose any additional risk of exposure to the virus.
Here are some of the steps we are taking to protect everyone from COVID-19:
If your child will be admitted into a shared room, you’ll be notified by a member of our staff and given special instructions for COVID-19 testing and other preparations.
If you know your child will be staying in the hospital, you will have some things to take care of before they come. We suggest you start checking off these items at least 1 week before your child arrives.
If your child is spending the night at in the hospital, you will want to look at sleeping, transportation and food options. If you need help finding a place to stay or transportation in Seattle or Bellevue, contact Guest Services.
To get help with transportation, a place to stay, or for questions about your visit, contact Guest Services.
To learn more about hospital campus amenities, see the Hospital Campus Visitor and Family Guide.
The length and nature of your visit may make it difficult for young children to attend. If children attend, we recommend bringing another adult to supervise.
If you need to bring siblings, we have a free, supervised playroom for brothers and sisters ages 3 to 11 who are toilet-trained. They may stay for two hours, and there are no reservations. As long as there is space, we allow siblings in.
To learn more, look for "Sibling Playrooms" on the Child Life page.
Siblings younger than 1 year old may stay overnight with their caregiver. All other siblings may not stay the night. You will need to make other child care arrangements.
To find out when siblings and others can visit, see our Visitor Policy.
Let us know about cultural beliefs or unique needs that may affect you child's treatment and care.
We offer free interpreters for Deaf and hard-of-hearing, and non-English languages. We should have arranged them when you scheduled.
If you need a wheelchair when you arrive, let us know at 206-987-3360.
If requested, ask your child's doctor(s) to send medical records, X-rays or test results to the hospital.
Ask your insurance company if you need a managed-care referral from your child's primary doctor and/or pre-authorization for your child's hospital stay..
To learn more, visit our Insurance section. For questions, call Seattle Children’s Insurance Processing Department at 206-987-5757.
If you do need a managed-care referral, ask your child's doctor to fax us at 206-985-3297.
Important: Make sure we receive the insurance referral at least four business days before your child's admission.
To learn more, visit our Insurance section. For questions, call Seattle Children’s Insurance Processing Department at 206-987-5757.
Learn more about financial assistance.
If anyone from the media plans to join you for your child’s appointment, you need permission before they can come to the hospital. Call Seattle Children’s Public Relations at 206-987-4500 or email.
Seattle Children's has a variety of resources to help you talk to your child about their hospital stay. Call the Family Resource Center or talk with a child life specialist. Child Life also created this resource about what to expect during your stay:
What to Expect at Your Hospital Stay at Seattle Children’s (PDF)
Here are some tips to help your child feel safer about his upcoming visit:
You are welcome to come to the Family Resource Center on level 7, in the River zone by the Frog elevators, and check out books. In addition to the titles below, you can call 206-987-2201 and request a copy of our recommended book list.
Here are more resources and books (PDF) on how to prepare children of all ages for a surgery or hospital stay.
Children understand things based on their age and developmental level. You probably have many ideas of your own. Here are some of ours that you might find helpful.
Infants and toddlers need to have familiar objects around them at the hospital. Bring along your child's favorite toy, blanket or other comfort item.
As children get older, you can talk with them about going to the clinic, and about what will happen while they're there. It is important to let them express their feelings.
Saying "I'll bet you're wondering what it's going to be like at the clinic, aren't you?" rather than, "How do you feel?" will encourage your child to talk.
Let them be the doctor to a doll or stuffed toy. They can "operate" on it, give it "shots" or just apply a Band-Aid. They might express their feelings more clearly while playing than if you ask them directly.
Reassure your child that you'll stay with them when you can and that other people will take care of them if you can't be with them.
Many of our suggestions for younger children are helpful with this age group as well. However, these children understand more than younger children and will ask more questions.
Explain that the hospital treats children of all ages, with many different medical problems. It's important to explain that doctors, nurses and other people at the hospital will do certain tests and procedures to find out what's making them ill or to help make them feel better.
Teenagers are able to understand more information about their illness and treatment. They may, however, be reluctant to ask questions about things they don't understand. Encourage your teenager to talk to their doctors and nurses about their condition.
Be sure they are included in discussions and decisions about care so that he will feel independent and more in control. Your teen may be worried about his privacy. Reassure them that the hospital staff will treat them with respect.
Even at this age, a familiar object, journal or favorite tape or CD can help your teen feel calmer at the clinic.
Children’s is a teaching hospital. Your child will receive care from a team that may include many doctors and staff members.
A registered nurse (RN) on each shift is assigned to care for your child. The RN is your main contact with other members of your child's healthcare team. This nurse will teach you and your child about their care during and after a surgery or hospital stay.
Learn more about specific roles on your child's healthcare team.
Your child will be assigned to a room based on their diagnosis, age and sex. When rooms are shared, please be respectful of other children and families. Each inpatient bed has a television and telephone.
When you are admitted, you will receive a unit brochure that has unit-specific information about your child’s healthcare team, your child’s schedule, how to keep your child safe, specific unit rules and more. Your nurse will go over most of this information, but please read and ask questions.
Bring your health insurance and prescription cards.
Remember to bring coupons if your child is on Medicaid, DSHS, Apple Health or Basic Health Plus.
Birth or adoptive parents do not need to bring a birth certificate or any other legal papers. If you are a legal guardian, we will need to see the legal papers that say so.
If you are the parent, but do not have legal custody, we will need to see the legal papers that allow you to make healthcare decisions for your child.
If you do not have the legal papers we need to see, call our Social Work Department at 206-987-2760 (voice) or 206-987-5186 (TTY) for help.
Bring a list of the prescription and non-prescription medicines and vitamin supplements your child is taking, including the name, dosage and concentration. If you do not have a list, feel free to bring the actual bottles of medicines or vitamins. It’s important you do not give your child medicines from home while at Children’s.
Children’s provides gowns and footwear, but your child may feel better in his their own clothes, like sweat pants, large T-shirts, socks, underwear, pajamas, etc.
A favorite blanket, toy, book, video or music (with headphones), phone or computer will help soothe your child. Consider bringing pictures of family, friends and pets.
Remember to use a car seat or booster seat or seat belt (depending on your child's age and weight) when transporting your child.
To learn more about hospital campus services, see the Hospital Campus Visitor and Family Guide.
If anyone from the media plans to join you for your child’s appointment, you need permission before they can come to the hospital. Call Seattle Children’s Public Relations at 206-987-4500 or email.
Here are some helpful questions to ask your child's doctor. Read them over before your child is admitted.
Throughout your child's hospital stay, you and your child's nurse or other care provider will plan for them to leave the hospital (their discharge) and the care they will need at home. If your child had a surgery or procedure, there will be special recovery instructions to follow.
Before leaving, ask your nurse and provider questions to make sure you feel comfortable to care for your child at home. If your child needs special home care equipment or home nursing, your child's nurse will help you arrange it.
Before your child goes home, plan to talk to:
You may notice changes in your child's behavior when they return home from the hospital. These might include changes in sleep patterns or fear of being away from you.
Your child may also show behavior from an earlier age like thumb-sucking, temper tantrums or changes in toilet training. These are usually temporary.
Encourage your child to talk about their time in the hospital and reassure them that a hospital stay or surgery can be upsetting. If changes in behavior continue for 6 weeks or more, talk with your child's doctor.