Suggestions for Referral

Please first ensure that the family is aware of, wishes for, and consents to the referral prior to making the referral.  Ryan House referrals can be made by families themselves, their friends, or by physicians or other medical professionals who know the child.

1)  Call Ryan House and provide the following information:
  • child’s name
  • date of birth
  • child’s diagnosis
  • parents’/guardians’ names
  • contact information – telephone number, address, email
  • physicians/health care professionals involved in child's care
  • release of medical records/information
2)  A Ryan House staff member will follow up on information from the child's physician, care provider and parents/guardians, and may request additional information.
3)  All information regarding the child’s referral is then reviewed by the Intake Team at Ryan House, consisting of physicians, nurses and other members of the interdisciplinary team.
4)  If the child is eligible for Ryan House, the parents/guardians are informed and invited for a referral visit.
For a referral, please contact us by telephone at 602.200.0767.

Healthcare Professionals FAQ's

How do I know if my patients and their families qualify for Ryan House?

While each child and their family’s situation will require and receive individual attention and review, please consider the following:

Definitions of terms

Life-limiting illness – an illness or condition for which there is currently no curative treatment

Life-threatening illness – an illness or condition for which a cure may be possible

Adulthood – early 20’s

Progressive – the nature of an illness that includes on-going deterioration of health and/or function

Family – may include the child’s parents/guardians, extended family, or foster parents

Respite – short-term care that allows the family to have a break from a sense of isolation and often enormously emotional, physical and financial strain that they may face from the daily routine and stress of home care.

Criteria for Ryan House

You may refer to Ryan House any child in Arizona who:

  • has a progressive life-limiting or life-threatening illness
  • is primarily between the ages of  birth –16
  • lives at home and is cared for by family

Many factors, including the child’s individual diagnosis, course of illness, complications, and the family’s wishes, will be considered when the team at Ryan House evaluates referrals.

How can I refer a child and his or her family?

  • offer the family information about Ryan House
  • speak to the family about a “referral visit,” where they can tour the House, meet with members of the care team, and determine if Ryan House will help them meet their care goals for their child
  • call Ryan House
  • verify that the family has completed/signed an agreement for release of information

As a primary care pediatrician, will the child remain under my/my practice’s care while at Ryan House?

Yes.  Families of children who come to Ryan House will be asked for a recent History and Physical from your office for the purposes of verifying medication as well as recent significant events.  Ryan House will also request that Physician Orders and a Psychosocial Summary be received from the primary care physician’s office at least 24 hours in advance.

When the child is at Ryan House for a visit, the care team, under the direction of the Medical Director and Clinical Team Leader, will continue the child’s healthcare routines, as the family would at home.

You/your practice will receive a “Summary of Stay” after the child’s scheduled visit.

Will I be on call should the child become symptomatic or acutely ill?

No.  Each time a family brings their child for a stay, the “Statement of Family Wishes” will be updated.  Family will be contacted first and the care team will follow Family Wishes.

I am a PT/OT/SLP.  Will I come to Ryan House to provide service while my client is at Ryan House?

Maybe. If you provide in-home services for the child, you are welcome to continue weekly therapies, however transportation will not be provided for outside therapies.  The child will resume their regular PT/OT/SLT appointments with you following their scheduled stay at Ryan House.

I work with a child and family who could benefit from services provided by Ryan House.  How do I determine if they qualify?

Generally, a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition that is cared for at home (not coming from the hospital or living in a residential facility) qualifies for Ryan House, although the care team at Ryan House will carefully review each child’s situation and meet with the family during the referral visit.  

Conditions with/causing severe disability involving health complications, such as premature births, or following brain or spinal cord injury, will also be considered.

You are welcome to call the Clinical Team Leader to discuss the situation or you may recommend the family for a referral visit.

I am an educator.  Will my student attend class at Ryan House?  What if my student has an extended stay?

Ryan House realizes that school and class can be an island of normalcy for children with life-limiting conditions.  While away from class, children will be encouraged to work on any schoolwork they bring with them.

Can I refer a child who is 16?

Yes.  While services will be aimed for children from birth through 16, you may still refer the child.

Please call Ryan House at 602.200.0767 if you would like to receive brochures, quarterly newsletters, or to schedule a Liaison visit to your office.