Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hosp.: Pediatric Care & Info

Cardinal Glennon’s emergency department treats children of all ages and is staffed by pediatric emergency physicians from SLUCare Physician Group.

Conditions treated include

• Allergic reactions.
• Breathing difficulty and asthma attacks.
• Concussions.
• Dehydration.
• High fever.
• Cuts and animal bites.
• Sprains and suspected fractures.
• Poisoning.
• Seizures.
• Severe pain.
• Sports injuries.
• Major traumatic injury.

Level I pediatric trauma capability

Cardinal Glennon describes its trauma program as Missouri’s longest-standing Level I Pediatric Trauma Center. Trauma resources are available 24 hours a day.

Resources include:

• Pediatric emergency physicians.
• Pediatric trauma surgeons.
• Neurosurgeons.
• Orthopaedic surgeons.
• Pediatric critical-care physicians.
• Specially trained trauma nurses.
• Pediatric pharmacists.
• Respiratory therapists.
• CT and other emergency imaging.
• Four trauma/resuscitation rooms.
• Operating-room access for trauma cases.
• Ground-level helipad.

Cardinal Glennon uses different intake rules depending on the program. A primary-care doctor or referring specialist may need to submit clinical information before certain appointments can be scheduled.

Neurology

Pediatric neurology uses a structured referral process that can include information about prior:

• EEG testing.
• MRI.
• CT.
• EMG.
• Genetic testing.
• Therapy/developmental evaluation.
• Psychiatry or psychology evaluation.

After an appropriate neurology referral is submitted, Cardinal Glennon states that a hospital representative will contact the family to schedule.

Developmental pediatrics

Developmental Pediatrics has a referral/intake process and may use a waiting list because demand can exceed current appointment capacity.

The Dallas Heart Center provides diagnosis and treatment for children with congenital and acquired heart disease.

Heart conditions treated include

• Congenital heart disease.
• Heart murmurs.
• Cardiomyopathy.
• Arrhythmias.
• Fetal heart disorders.
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
• Tetralogy of Fallot.
• Transposition of the great arteries.
• Ventricular septal defects.
• Adult congenital heart disease.

Heart procedures include

• Diagnostic cardiac catheterization.
• Interventional catheterization.
• Balloon valvuloplasty.
• Stent placement.
• Device closure of heart defects.
• Transcatheter valve treatment.
• Pacemaker evaluation and implantation.
• Electrophysiology studies.
• Catheter ablation.

Specialty heart programs

• Arrhythmia Clinic.
• Cardiac Device Clinic.
• Channelopathy / Long QT Clinic.
• Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program.
• Fontan / Single Ventricle Program.
• Marfan Syndrome / Aortopathy Clinic.
• Heart Failure & Cardiomyopathy Clinic.
• Fetal Heart Program.
• Pediatric-to-adult congenital-heart transition care.

Conditions treated include

• Brain and nervous-system tumors.
• Cerebral palsy.
• Concussion.
• Congenital brain and spinal-cord disorders.
• Developmental delay.
• Epilepsy and seizures.
• Headache and migraine.
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Neurofibromatosis.
• Neurogenetic disorders.
• Neuromuscular disorders.
• Pediatric stroke.
• Tics and Tourette syndrome.
• Tuberous sclerosis.

Testing can include

• EEG and video EEG.
• CT and MRI.
• EMG / nerve-conduction testing.
• Evoked potentials.
• Genetic testing.
• Lumbar puncture.
• Tilt-table testing.

Advanced treatment

Depending on the diagnosis, treatment can include medication, vagus-nerve stimulation, responsive neurostimulation and surgical treatment coordinated with pediatric neurosurgical specialists.

Cardinal Glennon’s pediatric orthopaedic specialists treat infants through young adults with injuries, congenital conditions and developmental bone, joint and muscle disorders.

Conditions treated include

• Fractures and broken bones.
• Scoliosis.
• Clubfoot.
• Hip dysplasia.
• Cerebral palsy-related orthopaedic problems.
• Limb-length differences.
• Foot and ankle deformities.
• Hand and wrist injuries.
• Knee injuries.
• Sports injuries.
• Spina bifida.
• Muscular dystrophy.
• Musculoskeletal tumors.
• Orthopaedic trauma.

Treatments include

• Physical therapy.
• Bracing.
• Splinting.
• Casting.
• Bone fixation.
• Limb-lengthening procedures.
• Minimally invasive surgery.
• Complex reconstructive surgery.

Current Costas Center outpatient hours

Cancer and blood programs include

• Leukemia.
• Lymphoma.
• Brain and spinal-cord tumors.
• Bone and soft-tissue sarcomas.
• Solid tumors.
• Sickle cell disease.
• Hemophilia.
• Von Willebrand disease.
• Platelet disorders.
• Clotting disorders.
• Stem-cell transplantation.

Inpatient oncology

Cardinal Glennon describes a 16-bed oncology inpatient unit, a day hospital and dedicated space for hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation.

Pediatric surgery can treat

• Appendicitis.
• Pediatric hernias.
• Chest-wall deformities.
• Congenital abdominal abnormalities.
• Congenital lung abnormalities.
• Pyloric stenosis.
• Inflammatory bowel disease requiring surgery.
• Childhood tumors.
• Pediatric trauma.
• Complex neonatal surgical disorders.

Other pediatric surgical specialties include

• Cardiothoracic surgery.
• Neurosurgery.
• Orthopaedic surgery.
• ENT surgery.
• Plastic and craniofacial surgery.
• Urologic surgery.
• Transplant surgery.

The Dana Brown NICU cares for premature and critically ill newborns who may need advanced pediatric medical or surgical treatment.

Specialty support can include

• Neonatology.
• Pediatric surgery.
• Cardiology and heart surgery.
• Neurology.
• Genetics.
• Respiratory support.
• Specialized neonatal transport.

St. Louis Fetal Care Institute

Cardinal Glennon’s fetal-care program coordinates prenatal diagnosis and planning for babies with complex conditions before birth.

Depending on the diagnosis, care can involve fetal specialists, maternal-fetal medicine, neonatology, cardiology, surgery, genetics and imaging.

Future NICU expansion

SSM Health’s new pediatric hospital planned for late 2027 is designed to expand neonatal capacity substantially, including private NICU rooms as part of an integrated maternal and newborn care center.

Transplant programs include

• Heart transplantation.
• Kidney transplantation.
• Liver transplantation.
• Combined organ evaluation when medically appropriate.
• Blood and marrow transplantation.

Heart transplant care

The Dallas Heart Center provides evaluation and long-term management for children who need heart transplantation and follows patients before and after transplant.

Kidney and liver transplant

Nephrology, hepatology and transplant surgery teams work together to evaluate candidates and provide long-term care after transplantation.

Therapy can support children with

• Neurological disorders.
• Orthopaedic conditions.
• Developmental delay.
• Recovery after surgery.
• Traumatic injury.
• Speech and language disorders.
• Feeding and swallowing needs.
• Mobility challenges.

Therapy scheduling and eligibility depend on the child’s diagnosis, referral and treatment plan.

Imaging services include

• X-ray.
• CT.
• MRI.
• Ultrasound.
• Nuclear medicine.
• Interventional radiology.
• Emergency and trauma imaging.
• Procedural sedation for eligible studies.

Cardinal Glennon also uses advanced pediatric cardiac imaging and a 3.0T MRI system for detailed heart imaging.

Before imaging

• Confirm that an order has been received.
• Ask whether fasting is required.
• Tell staff about implanted devices before MRI.
• Bring prior images when requested.
• Follow sedation instructions exactly when applicable.

Cardinal Glennon’s clinical laboratory supports both inpatient and outpatient pediatric testing and operates laboratory services 24 hours a day, seven days a week for hospital needs.

Testing includes

• Hematology.
• Clinical chemistry.
• Microbiology.
• Immunology.
• Molecular pathology.
• Biochemical genetics.
• Toxicology.
• Blood-bank services.
• Stem-cell laboratory services.
• Urinalysis.
• Virology.

Pharmacy services include

• Pediatric prescription medications.
• Compounded medications.
• Private pharmacist consultations.
• Bedside delivery for eligible discharge prescriptions.
• Mailing and courier options.
• Medication-access coordination.

Prescription refills also can be requested through SSM Health MyChart.

An ER bill can include

• Emergency evaluation.
• Laboratory testing.
• X-ray, CT, MRI or ultrasound.
• Medication.
• Procedures.
• Trauma services.
• Specialist consultation.
• Hospital admission.
• Surgery.
• Intensive-care services.

Why separate bills may arrive

Hospital/facility services and professional physician services may not always appear on the same statement.

Anesthesia, physician interpretation, surgery or other professional services can create separate charges depending on how the service is billed.

Before scheduled care

Cardinal Glennon and SSM Health participate with many commercial, Medicaid and other health plans, but network status depends on the exact insurance product.

Before scheduled specialty care, verify

• Is Cardinal Glennon in-network?
• Is the SLUCare physician in-network?
• Is a pediatrician referral required?
• Does the visit need prior authorization?
• Does imaging require separate authorization?
• What deductible remains?
• What specialist copay or coinsurance applies?

SSM Health offers financial assistance for patients who are:

• Uninsured.
• Underinsured.
• Ineligible for government programs.
• Otherwise unable to pay for medically necessary care.

How eligibility is determined

SSM Health bases assistance on household financial need using Federal Poverty Levels, household income and number of family members.

The exact assistance level is based on the current SSM Health policy and application, so families should not rely on an old income-percentage threshold from another website.

Documents commonly required

• Verification of the most recent two months of income.
• Most recent federal income-tax return.
• IRS non-filing documentation when applicable.

How to apply

Where to park

Patient drop-off

The circle drive is for patient and family pickup/drop-off. Vehicles should not be left unattended there.

General inpatient units

• Two adult visitors allowed at the bedside.
• Siblings may visit when accompanied by an adult.
• No sibling visitors after 8 p.m.
• Overnight visitors must be at least 18 years old.

NICU and PICU

• Two adult visitors at the bedside.
• Sibling visits require department-leader approval.
• Approved siblings must remain with a responsible adult.
• No sibling visits after 8 p.m.

Emergency Department

• Two adult visitors at the bedside.
• Sibling visitors require department approval.

Surgery and procedures

• Two adult visitors at the bedside.
• Siblings may wait in designated waiting areas but not at the procedural bedside.

Outpatient visits

Two people may normally accompany the patient. Additional family members require department approval.

Visitor identification

Visitors check in at the main-lobby desk. Adults must present appropriate identification, and visitor badges are issued for access.

Mail requests to

Health Information Management
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
1465 S. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63104-1095

Ways to receive records

• MyChart.
• Email.
• U.S. mail.

Identity verification

SSM Health requires appropriate identification to verify that the person requesting a child’s records is authorized to receive them.

How long can the request take?

SSM Health says it tries to process records promptly, but some complete requests can take up to 30 business days.

Café @ Glennon

The café is on the first floor of the Main Tower and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.

Starbucks

The hospital coffee shop is near the ground-floor main entrance. Current weekday hours: 6:30 a.m.–5 p.m..

Vending

Vending machines are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the first floor of the Main Tower.

Gift shop

• Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Friday: 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Saturday–Sunday: Closed

Chapel

The chapel is on the first floor of the Main Tower and is open 24 hours.

Chaplain contact

Families can ask a nurse to contact the chaplain or call 314-268-2700 ext. 1168.