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Guest Services
Guest Services supports your family during your visit to the Texas Medical Center. Our representatives are here to help by providing information and referrals to immediate and extended family 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Services provided include, but are not limited to:

• Coordination of travel arrangements for out-of-town families
• Referrals to non-clinical, supportive and family-centered services and programs available to families while at the hospital
• Area maps and directions
• Information about area dining, shopping and transportation options
• Comprehensive information about area lodging options and services
• Coordination of visits to area attractions
• Special requests for birthday, holiday or other family celebrations
• Information about hospital programs and events
• Access to fax machines, copiers and other office equipment while at the hospital
• Activities for patients, siblings and adults while at the hospital
• Help with unexpected needs such as local laundry services or last-minute lodging options

Contact a Guest Services representative by calling 832-824-STAR (4-7827 from the telephone in your child's room) or by visiting the Information Desk in the West Tower lobby.

Family Advocacy
Family Advocacy can assist with concerns, compliments, complaints and answer any questions you have regarding patient rights and responsibilities. You can reach Family Advocacy by calling 832-824-1919.

Language services
Texas Children's provides interpretation services for those who prefer to discuss their health care in another language. Please let your child's health care team know
if you would like to use these interpretation services or contact Language Services
at 832-824-5200.

Child-Life Department
Child-life specialists work with patients and their families to help reduce stress and anxiety while promoting positive coping skills. They have studied normal child development and reactions of children to hospitals and other healthcare settings. They assess patients’ developmental needs, prepare patients and families for medical events through medical play, provide emotional support during medical procedures and teach coping techniques.

Constructive play activities can do much to help your child cope with an illness and feel more at ease at the hospital. Patients can play on the playground or in one of the inpatient playrooms. Child Life Life partners maintain hospital playrooms, provide bedside play opportunities and facilitate special events to help normalize the environment and promote developmentally appropriate play in all areas of the hospital. Call 832-826-1650 for assistance.

Social workers
Social workers are licensed, master-level professionals who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  They assist patients and families in coping with a new diagnosis or change in their condition or with stressors associated with prolonged hospitalizations. Social workers develop intervention strategies to help families solve problems and access community resources. They facilitate the communication between family members and the medical team. If you would like to speak to a social worker, please notify your nurse.

Spiritual Care
Chaplains are available at Texas Children’s 24 hours a day. Chaplains provide emotional and spiritual support to patients, family members, staff and other caregivers. Chaplains can be reached by speaking with your child’s nurse or by calling ext. *9005 inside the hospital or 832-824-7223. Spiritual care volunteers also are available through The Auxiliary to Texas Children’s.

International Patient Services
International Patient Services helps meet the needs of international patients and their families. The department serves as a point of contact between the family and the hospital by assisting with medical, housing, transportation and living needs. Call 832-824-1138 for assistance.

Bioethics Committee
The Bioethics Committee is a resource for staff and parents faced with ethical issues and/or conflicts regarding care. The committee is comprised of compassionate professionals who are dedicated to children's health and to helping families make difficult decisions. The committee can be reached by calling Medical Staff Services at 832-824-2296 during normal business hours or through the page operator at 832-824-2099 after hours, on weekends or holidays.