Your Child’s GI Nutrition and Diagnostic Visit

Before your child's procedure

When your child’s doctor recommends an endoscopic procedure for your child, you will be asked to contact the Kohl's GI Nutrition and Diagnostic Center and speak to a scheduler who will help you choose a date, time and place for your child’s procedure. While most procedures are offered at the Main Hospital, some (mostly diagnostic procedures) are also offered at select CHOP Care Network locations.

Tips for scheduling

When scheduling a procedure in the GI endoscopy suite at our Main Campus, please note the following:

• It will take about one week for the anesthesiologist to determine if the procedure can be done in the endoscopy suite or if it needs to be done in an operating room.
• The scheduler in the endoscopy suite will call you in approximately one week to schedule your child’s appointment. If you have not heard from a scheduler in a week, please call 215-590-3326 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and we will help you.
• We usually have appointments available within two to three weeks (and sooner for emergent cases).
• The endoscopy suite scheduler will assist you with any insurance or billing questions. Visit the CHOP billing and insurance website for more information.

A review with a nurse

About a week before your child’s scheduled procedure, a nurse will call you to:

• Review your child’s medical history
• Review any dietary restrictions you will need to follow before the test
• Explain what to expect on the day of the procedure, including how long you will be here
• Offer directions and parking information
• Answer any questions you might have

The day before the procedure, a nurse will call to let you know what time you and your child should arrive.

Preparing your child

Providing your child with honest, accurate information will help to alleviate many of his/her fears and fantasies about what will happen. We offer some tips to help you prepare your child.

If you are unsure of how to explain the procedure to your child, please ask your child’s nurse for help.

Because many of the procedures performed in Kohl's GI Nutrition and Diagnostic Center are completed under anesthesia, your child will need to follow important pre-procedure information regarding:

• Food and drink
• Medications and supplements
• Bathing
• Personal grooming items (such as removing nail polish, jewelry and securing long hair in rubber bands, contacts/glasses)

Please review our pre-procedure instructions and discuss any specific concerns with your child’s nurse.

Insurance and referrals

Please remember to bring your insurance cards and any referral forms required by your insurance company. Some insurance companies require pre-authorization for certain tests at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. If you are unsure of exactly what will be required, please call us.

The day of your child’s procedure

Your child’s procedure will be scheduled at CHOP’s Main Campus or one of our CHOP Specialty Care and Ambulatory Surgery Centers in Voorhees, NJ, Bucks County, PA, or Exton, PA. 

The Kohl's GI Nutrition and Diagnostic Center is located on the 7th Floor of the Main Hospital (3401 Civic Center Boulevard). Parking at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is available at two parking garages: A & B. Off-campus parking lots and garages are also available nearby. Please bring your parking ticket so we can validate it for you.

When you arrive

A scheduler will greet you and check your child in for the procedure. A nurse will bring you and your child into a private room to briefly review your child’s medical history and allergies. A nurse will check your child’s temperature, heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and weight.

An advanced practice nurse or physician will briefly examine your child, ask for your consent for the procedure, and answer any questions.

If your child is receiving anesthesia, you will meet the anesthesiologist before the procedure.

Your child will get an intravenous line (IV) for medications and fluids. 

You may be approached by a member of the research team. You and your child may be invited to participate in a clinical research study.

During the procedure

A nurse will take you and your child to the procedure room, where monitors will be connected to your child.

The physician will give your child medicine to make him calm and sleepy. Once this happens, you will be shown where to wait until the procedure is over.

After your child’s procedure

After your child’s procedure is complete, he or she will be moved from the procedure room into the recovery area on a stretcher. Your child will be drowsy for a while, but you are encouraged to stay with your child as he or she recovers from the anesthesia. A nurse will continue to monitor your child.

Once your child is alert and able to drink fluids, your child will be able to go home. After the procedure and anesthesia, some children may experience nausea, vomiting, sore throat, or gas pains. While these are normal, if symptoms are extreme or persist beyond a few hours, please contact us at 215-590-3326, or after office hours, please call the CHOP Operator at 215-590-1000 and ask for the GI fellow on-call.

Test results

Your child’s test results may take a few days to a week to analyze. Your child’s physician or nurse will call to discuss the results or schedule a follow-up visit.

During the follow-up visit, your child’s doctor will discuss if additional testing is needed and possible treatment options for your child.

If you are not contacted after one week, please contact your child’s gastroenterologist.