VISITING THE HOSPITAL
General information and services

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Health & Safety
Non-medical emergencies
Information about patients
Getting in touch with a patient
Patient Privacy

Health & Safety Practices

Balloons
Latex and rubber balloons can cause choking in children. For the safety of our patients, we do not allow these balloons in the hospital. We do permit children to have foil (Mylar) balloons.

Cell phones
Use of cellular phones is not permitted inside buildings on the hospital campus because they can interfere with medical equipment. This includes the bridges connecting the buildings. To ensure the safety of our patients, please use cell phones only when outside.

Medicine
Only medicines ordered in writing by your child’s doctor can be given in the hospital. If your child has been taking medicine at home, talk to the doctor about giving these medications to your child while he or she receives care at Texas Children’s.

Personal electrical appliances
Some personal electrical appliances may be brought into Texas Children’s. For a list of approved items, please check with a healthcare team member or the hospital’s Biomedical Engineering Department at 832-824-1800.

Safes
Safes are available in most patient rooms for families to store their valuables. Please be sure to keep belongings locked away since the hospital is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Security
Security is provided around the clock by security guards and a comprehensive fire alarm system. Security cameras monitor entrances and other locations throughout Texas Children’s. Security Services can be reached by calling 832-824-5400.

Smoking
Smoking is not allowed in any area of the hospital and also is prohibited in many outdoor areas. There is a smokers’ retreat off the north corridor on the first floor of the Abercrombie Building.

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Non-medical Emergencies

To report a non-medical emergency, call Security at 832-824-5400.

Information about patients

Generally, information about a patient is given only to parents or legal guardians. Nurses can answer many questions; however, some information can be provided only by your child’s doctor.

Getting in touch with a patient

Friends and relatives calling from outside Texas Children’s can reach a patient’s room through the information desks or by calling the hospital operator at 832-824-1000.

If they know the room number and floor, they may dial direct by using the 832 area code and 826 prefix, along with a two-digit number for the floor and a two-digit room number. For example, the phone number for room 12 on the ninth floor of the West Tower would be 832-826-0912.

You may also send an e-mail greeting to a patient at Texas Children's Hospital.

Patient privacy

At times, the news media may request information about a child in the hospital. Texas Children’s Hospital cooperates with the news media whenever possible. However, our main concern is to protect the privacy of patients and their families.

If a member of the media contacts Texas Children’s for information about your child, a member of our staff will contact you. If you are contacted directly by a member of the news media, please call the hospital’s Marketing and Public Affairs Department at 832-824-2100 for assistance.

After hours or on weekends or holidays, call 832-824-2099 and ask the operator to page the department’s on-call Marketing and Public Affairs representative. Texas Children’s will not release information regarding a child’s condition, unless approved by a parent or guardian.

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