What to Expect at Your First Appointment with the Bone Marrow Transplantation Program

If you are considering a bone marrow transplant for your child, you may be feeling concerned, apprehensive and perhaps a little confused about all the steps you need to take. At Cincinnati Children’s, we’re here to take your family’s hands and lead you down the path toward better health for your child.

The purpose of this first appointment is for our providers to gain a full understanding of your child’s needs and determine the next best steps.

Making an Appointment

The Bone Marrow Transplantation Program accepts self-referrals and physician referrals by phone and via our online form. If a family member makes the initial contact, we will call the child’s physician to confirm the referral and get additional medical information, such as a care summary, lab results and radiology reports.

Before scheduling your child’s appointment, our care manager will call you to discuss your child’s needs and how the Bone Marrow Transplantation Program can help. The care manager will share information from this conversation with others on the medical team, then contact you to schedule the appointment.

If you have other test results and medical records to share, the care manager will explain how to send them to us. You also can bring them to the appointment.

You will meet your care manager in person during your visit. Your care manager is your “go-to person” for questions and concerns related to your child’s visit, test results, treatment recommendations and appointment scheduling. Please reach out to them any time before, during or after your visit.

Before Your Visit

If you are traveling from another state or country, you may have questions about the area and local accommodations. Our Concierge Services can help .

Before the appointment, your child may participate in all activities as usual, including eating normally and taking regular medicines.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

On the Morning of Your Appointment

If your child has a cold, tell the registration staff when you sign in. If your child has a fever, please contact us before leaving home to let us know.

Bring any medical records that you or the referring physician have not already provided to us.

Before Arriving at the Clinic

Plan to arrive about 45 minutes before your appointment time. This will allow you time to park, find the clinic and register. If you are running late, please contact us.

At the Appointment

After you sign in at the registration desk, a nurse specializing in bone marrow transplantation will talk with you about your child’s health.

Your first visit will include time with a physician who specializes in bone marrow transplantation. The physician will examine your child, ask questions about their personal and family health history, talk to you about past test results and order additional tests if needed.

Your first visit will last between four and six hours.

Your Child’s Personalized Treatment Plan

At the end of your appointment, the care team will share insights about your child’s condition and provide treatment recommendations. We usually don’t begin any treatments at the first visit.

You’ll receive a written “After Visit Summary” at the end of the appointment, and we’ll share the summary with your child’s referring physician.

The care team will let you know when to schedule a follow-up appointment.

Please contact your child’s care manager if you have questions after your appointment. We are here to provide you and your family with the support and information you need every step of the way.