Ochsner Health is the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in the Gulf South. Ochsner inspires healthier lives and stronger communities through our mission to serve, heal, lead, educate and innovate.
Patient and Family Support Services
Child Life
Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) are professionals who are trained in the areas of child development, child life, counseling and psychology, and have expertise in dealing with children's concerns and reactions to the hospital and their illnesses. Learn more here!
Health Information Management
HIM is the practice of maintenance and care of health records by traditional (paper-based) and digital (electronic) means to enable the delivery of quality healthcare. At Ochsner, HIM ensures the accuracy, accessibility and security of the health record in both paper and electronic systems.
Medical information is kept in the strictest confidence, and safeguarding patient information is of the utmost importance. Patients have the right to review and request copies of medical information that may be used to make decisions about their care. To review or obtain copies of medical information, patients must submit their request in writing. For more information, call the Release of Information (ROI) office at 504-842-2832.
Ronald McDonald House
The mission of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Louisiana is to provide a "home-away-from-home" to families of seriously ill children and to provide programs that give comfort, compassion and care to children and their families.
The Ronald McDonald House accepts families of children 21 and under in age who are coming to New Orleans for medical treatment. These families must live at least 25 miles outside of New Orleans. For more information, click here.
Social Work
Social workers are masters-level professionals that provide a range of services including health education, crisis intervention, supportive counseling and case management. Medical and public health social workers provide psychosocial support to people, families, or vulnerable populations so they can cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses.
Social workers connect families with community resources and help them to access services. They also advise family caregivers, advocate for their patients, and help plan for patients’ needs after discharge. They may arrange for home health, private duty nursing, rehabilitation, or palliative care.
Some work on interdisciplinary teams that evaluate certain kinds of patients, for example organ transplant patients or patients with spina bifida.
Spiritual Care
Chaplains provide sensitive spiritual support for patients, families, and staff from all different faith backgrounds. Chaplains are spiritual care providers who meet people at their point of need for meaning, hope and support during trying times. At Ochsner Hospital for Children, a chaplain is available every day, 24 hours a day by calling 504-842-3286. You may also ask your nurse to contact Spiritual Care and request a chaplain visit.
Guest Services
- Coordination of travel arrangements for out of town families
- Referrals to non-clinical services and programs available to families while at the hospital
- Area maps and directions
- Information about planning your stay 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
Language Services
Interpreter services are available for all languages, including American Sign Language for the deaf or hard of hearing, for all aspects of your care and treatment with us, at no charge to the patient. These services are available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.
The interpreter may be a face-to-face interpreter, an over-the-phone interpreter, or a video remote interpreter, and these services are coordinated through the International Services Department at 504-842 3719 Monday-Friday from 7am to 5pm.
During all other times, the hospital phone operators act as a liaison to access interpreter services. For more information on interpreter services, call 504-842-3719 or email international@ochsner.org.
