It's hard to predict how long a child will need to stay in the hospital and when they will be ready to leave. If your child must stay in the hospital, it is usually because it is not safe to leave. Please ask your team if you have questions about when your child will leave the hospital.

Only parents, legal guardians or other authorized persons may take a child home. Most patients can leave the hospital by 11 am.

Your child’s nurse will go over all necessary instructions with you before you leave, including information about medications, follow-up appointments and at-home care. You will also receive a list of signs and symptoms to watch for or call your doctor about.

Please ask your team about referrals and appointments. Your child may have a follow-up appointment scheduled, and you will be contacted with the appointment information. You may also receive contact information to schedule an appointment yourself.

Before leaving, ask any questions you might have about your child’s home or follow-up care.

All children younger than 8 years old or under 4 feet 9 inches must be secured in a car seat or booster. Please bring an age-appropriate car seat to the hospital on the day that your child leaves.

Prescriptions

You have the option of filling your child’s prescription at the UCLA Health Pharmacy or at a pharmacy of your choice. Your child's doctor will send the prescriptions electronically to your preferred pharmacy.

If you use the UCLA Health pharmacy, a pharmacist may deliver the prescriptions to your child’s room, or the medications may be picked up during regular business hours from the pharmacy before you leave the hospital. A pharmacist will always review the medications with you, your child or the person picking up the prescriptions and answer any questions.

At Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, the UCLA Health Pharmacy is located on Level B, Room B140. Pharmacy hours are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 9 pm, Saturday 8 am to 7 pm and Sunday and holidays 8 am to 5 pm. To reach the pharmacy, please call 310-206-3784(Link opens phone app).

At UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, the UCLA 16th Street Pharmacy is located at 1223 16th St., Suite 1202, Santa Monica, CA 90404. Pharmacy hours are Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6 pm and Saturday to Sunday 8 am to 5 pm. To reach the pharmacy, please call 310-206-3784(Link opens phone app).

Billing

After your child leaves the hospital, you will receive several bills for services provided. You will receive a hospital bill, which will include room charges, food, medical supplies and tests and procedures. You will also receive bills from your child’s doctors for medical and surgical care.

Our Patient Business Services Department will file your claim directly with your health insurance. Please note that you are responsible for your child’s hospital charges. If you have not received notice of payment from your insurer within 60 days after service, we may seek your help contacting the insurance carrier.

Medical Records and Release of Information

For questions about your child’s medical records, please call 310-825-6021(Link opens phone app). To reach the Release of Information Customer Service Office, open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm, please call 310-825-6021(Link opens phone app). 

The office is located at 100 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 140, Los Angeles, CA 90095, and walk-in services are available. To fax the office, dial 310-983-1468(Link opens phone app).