East Tennessee Children's Hospital

Here is all of the information you will want to know when your child is being admitted or is having tests completed at Children's Hospital.

Admissions Hours of Operation:

Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Numbers to Call:

(865) 541-8109 Information Desk
(865) 541- 8350 Admitting Office

Where to Go First:

For all admissions and testing, sign-in at the hospital's Information Desk. A volunteer at the desk will then direct the patient to wait in the lobby until an Admitting Clerk calls his or her name.

Remember to bring in the ticket from the parking garage. For outpatient services, families will be issued a one-day pass for free parking; for overnight stays, families will be issued one weekly pass for free parking. Weekly passes will be reissued for families of children hospitalized longer than one week.

An Admitting Clerk will take all necessary information and will direct the patient on where to go next, whether to a patient room or to another department for testing

How to Prepare:

Information the hospital will need includes your child's name, address and health insurance information. Also required are your child's Social Security number and the doctor's order for the exam. A parent's or guardian's signature is required for exams and sedation for children under the age of 18. A previous medical history or a list of allergies is also helpful at the time of admission. Obviously, for an emergency visit, this information is not the first priority, but it will be necessary at a later time.

If oral interpretation services for non-English speaking patient families and for patient families with hearing impairment may be needed during your child's hospitalization, click here to read about our Interpretation Services.

When preparing to be admitted to the hospital for an overnight stay, bring anything from home that will make the patient comfortable, including stuffed animals or a favorite toy. All foods and formulas will be provided for the patient at the hospital.

Here are a few items that a parent might consider packing for the visit (remember to pack lightly and leave valuables at home):

For your child:

personal items such as toothbrush, hairbrush, etc.
a change of clothes, including a favorite pair of pajamas
a favorite movie (all rooms have DVD access)
a special stuffed animal or blanket or other "comfort" item
anything else that you think would comfort your child during his or her visit

For a parent:

personal items and a change of clothes
phone numbers and email adresses (to update family on the patient's condition)
a book or magazine to pass time
a pillow
spare change or small bills (for late night snacks from vending machines)

Before your visit:

A tour of the hospital for children ages 3-11 who are scheduled for surgery is offered by our Child Life Department. The tours are offered every Monday and Thursday at 7 p.m, with the exception of major holidays. The tour lasts about an hour and gives parents and children a chance to learn what to expect on the day of admission and during the stay. Being familiar with hospital surroundings and with some of the staff will make your child's stay easier. For more information about the tours, call the Children's Hospital Child Life Department at (865) 541-8904.

We invite your comments and questions. Please complete our comment form or visit our Phone Numbers page for departmental telephone listings.

Revised 10-21-07