Your Child’s Visit
Thank you for choosing The Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Our Center, part of the Division of Orthopaedics, offers world-class, comprehensive care from a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses and support staff. Our team performs more than 50 thoracic insufficiency syndrome diagnostic procedures each year and has broad experience diagnosing and treating some of the rarest conditions in the world.
This section will help you better prepare for your child’s initial visit to our Center, detail what you can expect, and offer you resources to better understand your child’s medical issues. Use the links below to take you directly to the information you need.
- Preparing for your visit
- How to prepare your child
- Who you’ll meet
- What to bring to your child’s appointment
- Getting here and directions
Further details are available about our treatment approach, VEPTR FAQs and follow-up care after VEPTR surgery.
Preparing for your visit
Before you even leave your home, we offer resources to introduce you to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and to help you prepare for your visit. Use this section to learn what you need to know ahead of time.
How to prepare your child
Healthcare experiences can be stressful for children of all ages. Preparing children ahead of time for the things they may experience during their healthcare visit will reduce much of their anxiety, as well as help them cope.
Providing your child with honest, accurate information will help to alleviate many of her fears and fantasies about what will happen. We offer some tips to help you prepare your child.
Who you’ll meet
All of the healthcare professionals and employees at CHOP are dedicated to providing the best care to your child and your family, and to making your experience with us as comfortable as possible.
For a list of some of the types of healthcare professionals you might meet and information about the role they play as part of the healthcare team, see your healthcare team. For a list of team members of the Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome and links to their bios, see meet our team.
What to bring to your child's appointment
Being prepared for your first visit at the Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome at CHOP will ensure a smooth check-in and prevent unnecessary delays.
Please make sure you bring the following to your first appointment:
- A completed copy of our new patient visit form.
- Referral paperwork. This must be in place at the time of the visit or your visit may be delayed or rescheduled.
- Any authorization your insurance company may require. You should call your insurance company to get this information.
- Co-pay, co-insurance or deductible for the visit. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-664-7855.
- The name and phone number of your pharmacy.
- Copies of documentation for labs, radiology and procedure tests — even if the results are normal. If you have sent these reports to CHOP at least two weeks before your appointment, you do not need to bring copies.
- A copy of your child’s recent growth chart (if available).
- A parent or legal guardian must be present for the first consultation. If you are a legal guardian, please bring proof of guardianship.
- A list of all of the medications your child currently takes (including dosage and frequency), or a bag with the prescription bottles and over-the-counter medication bottles.
Getting here and directions
Your child’s first appointment will be held in the Division of Orthopaedics on the second floor of the Wood Building at CHOP’s Main Campus.
Driving and parking
- If you are using a GPS, please enter the Hospital’s address as 324 S. 34th St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.
- For general driving directions to Children’s Hospital.
- Parking is available beneath the Main Hospital and the Wood Building. We encourage you to park in the Wood lot because your appointment is just one elevator ride away.
- For parking information at Main Campus.
- If you drive, be sure to bring your parking ticket into the Hospital with you so you can get it validated.
Public transportation
Maps
- Main Campus maps are also available. View our Main Campus map or second floor of Wood Center map.
Contact us
For more information or to schedule an appointment with the Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome at CHOP, call 215-590-3722 or contact us online.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Campbell Jr., MD
Date: September 2012
