Preparing for a Primary Care or Clinic Visit
Hundreds of families come to Nationwide Children's Outpatient Care Center, Close To Home℠ Centers and primary care centers every day for checkups, specialty visits and follow-up care.
Your family is an essential part of your child's health care team. Whether it's your first visit or fifth, we are available to answer your questions and help you get where you need to go.
When you come to Nationwide Children's for a primary care appointment or clinic visit, you will need to bring specific information to help us provide the best care for your child.
It may be helpful to gather needed information and pack a bag the night before. You may also want to bring items for comfort and convenience.
Be sure to include:
- Your child's current immunization record
- Your child's medication bottles
- A list of all medications, vitamins and herbal supplements your child is currently taking
- Your insurance card
- A list of questions for the physician, from you and your child if old enough
- Toys or activities from home for your child to play with during waiting times
Going to the hospital or an outpatient center can be stressful for children and parents. It is important to talk with your child so that he or she knows what to expect on the day of his or her appointment and feels comfortable about what will take place.
Here are some tips on how to talk about what's going to happen:
- Start the conversation just a day or two before the visit for children under age 5.
- Older children need more time to prepare. Start talking with your child one to two weeks before the appointment.
- Explain what will happen at the appointment.
- Use simple words that your child will understand.
- Be honest with your child about what to expect. If something may hurt, say so.
- If you do not know the answer to your child's question, tell your child that you don't know, but that you will find out.
- Encourage your child to share his or her feelings and to ask you questions. You may realize that your child is worrying about something that will not happen.
- Talk with your child about any fears they share.
- Do not force a discussion if your child does not seem ready.
Our locations offer parking garages and parking lots for your convenience. Parking options, including valet services, will vary from location to location.
Click here for detailed maps and directions.
Vehicle security. When you park your car:
- Always lock your vehicle.
- Do not leave cash or valuable items in view.
- Lock valuables in the truck hide them from view or take them out of the vehicle.
- At night, select the most well lit and most visible parking spaces.
We provide many meal options for your child and your family, including a cafeteria, food court, vending machines, two coffee shops and many nearby restaurant choices.
Click here to learn about dining options at Nationwide Children's.
Pharmacy Services
You can get your child's medicine and other prescribed treatments at the Orange, Blue or Yellow pharmacies. Click here to view pharmacy locations and hours.
Our pharmacies accept a variety of insurance plans. Be sure to ask the staff for details.
ATMs
There are two Huntington National Bank ATM machines and a change machine in the hospital. Non-Huntington customers will be charged a $1.50 fee for each cash withdrawal. The change machine will break $10 and $20 bills to $5 bills.
The machines locations are:
- An ATM is in the Outpatient Care Center, next to Clementine's Coffee
- A change machine is in the Outpatient Care Center lobby
- An ATM is off the Main Lobby next to the Gift Shop
Use the hospital map to find each of these areas.
Stamp dispensing machines also are available next to the ATM machines.
Guest Internet Access
Free guest internet access is available. Click here to learn more.