Transport Services

Prior to our team's arrival the normal referral process will be initiated. This system helps us save valuable time and get the proper care to your patient quicker. The nurse or physician may contact Cook Children's Medical Center via the Communications Center by using a direct connect (blue) phone or calling 1-800-KID-HURT (1-800-543-4878).

Call 1-800-543-4878

Most ER patients can be accepted without talking to the Emergency Room physician at Cook Children's. Some of the patient types that require physician-to-physician contact include:

• Active seizures
• Altered mental status
• Fever with a rash
• Patients who have received more than one 20 ml/kg fluid bolus
• Patients with severe respiratory distress
• Dislocations, open fractures, or fractures/dislocations with neuro or vascular compromise, angulations > 30 degrees or displacement > 50%
• Intubated trauma, intracranial bleeds, GCS < 8, or multi-system trauma
• Cardiac and hematology/oncology evaluated on case-by-case basis, age not a factor

Referring physicians may always request to speak with a Cook Children's physician if they desire. Please have the following information available when you call:

• Emergent or non-emergent referral?
• Is our team needed for transport?
• What mode would you prefer (ground, helicopter, airplane -- as appropriate depending on patient condition and distance)? The Communications Center can provide estimated arrival times for the various modes.
• Patient name, sex, age, DOB, weight, diagnosis and vital signs.
• Respiratory, perfusion and neurological status as appropriate to patient diagnosis.
• Treatment and/or interventions performed and/or planned (O2, IV's, meds, labs, etc).

For patient transport, please provide the following information:

• Medical consent form
• Copies of chart and X-rays
• Memorandum of transport
• Phone numbers of parents/physician
• Lab work