Coronavirus Update:What patients and families need to know
We've gone paperless:Read more about how this will impact you and your practice.
Refer a Patient
Engage with Our Team through Direct Messaging
When your patient needs to see a specialist, you can connect with us via Direct Messaging, or secure email, to learn the best specialty options for your patient.
Learn more about Direct
Children’s National Specialists Are Available for Consultations
If you need assistance scheduling a specialty visit or clinical guidance managing the care of one of your patients, please contact us at one of the numbers below.
- Physician Access Line. Call 202-476-4880, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Hospital Operators. Call 202-476-5000 Monday – Friday from 5 p.m. – 8 a.m. Available all day Saturday and Sunday.
- Emergency Department Transfer Center/Direct Admit. Call 202-476-LIFE (5433).
- Physician Referral Line. Call 202-476-4418.
Contact your physician liaison for more information. Our referral guidelines will help you determine if care from one of our specialists is needed.
Criteria and Common Conditions for Admission
Your evaluation of the patient on the day of the referral will help us understand your patient’s needs. Some common conditions for inpatient referral include:
- Failure to thrive
- Fever of unknown origin
- Failure of outpatient therapy
If you are unsure if a patient needs emergency care or admission, our team will help determine the best treatment plan for your patient. Direct admissions require your practice to obtain pre-authorization by payors. Email our Bear Direct Case Managers if you need assistance.
Referring a Patient During the COVID-19 Pandemic
To keep everyone safe, we have instituted strict safety regulations including mandatory mask usage, handwashing and social distancing. We are open and providing care to patients at the main campus and at our specialty care locations. We also offer video visits in most clinics for those who prefer to stay at home.
Learn more
We Provide Tools for Your Practice
Learn about our Physician Access Line for consulting with our experts, view our physician directory or access the Children's National Physician Gateway Portal. You can also learn how we've taken our clinic notes paperless for a streamlined approach to patient care.
View our helpful tools
Refer an International Patient
Our Global Services team is ready to help you refer your international patients to Children's National Hospital. Be sure to visit our international patient website to learn all we have to offer this diverse patient population.
Learn more
Download Maryland Referral Pads
2020 Outpatient Appointment Referral Pads for Maryland are available in English and in Spanish.
Download Northern Virginia Referral Pads
2020 Outpatient Appointment Referral Pads for Northern Virginia are available in English and in Spanish.
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Admission
If you are referring a patient for psychiatric care, our Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences new patient packets can be filled out by the patient’s parents or guardians with your assistance. The packets should then be returned to Psychiatry via email, mail or fax (please see the packets for more information). If you have additional questions, please call Psychiatry at 202-476-5980.
Share Your Imaging
Health care providers can share patient exams with us on the lifeIMAGE Network.