Appointments, Testing and Visitor Policy

IMPORTANT: We are overwhelmed with RSV and flu, which is causing extremely long wait times everywhere. We are working as fast as we can to deliver care to all of those in need and we appreciate your patience as we give each family the attention they deserve. Please call your pediatrician first for: ear pain, sore throat, diarrhea or vomiting, rash, cough or other non-urgent health concerns. Where to go for care

Cook Children's first priority remains the health and well-being of our patients, families and employees. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe and protected by reading our current policies. These are subject to change so we recommend checking them with each visit.

Patients, parents and visitors are ONLY required to wear face masks in the following areas:

Waiting rooms AND treatment areas for the Emergency Department, Hematology/Oncology and Urgent Care Centers.

Important: Masking is always required for people experiencing respiratory symptoms or those who have been exposed to COVID in the past 10 days.

Urgent Care clinic wait times

Cook Children's Urgent Care clinics are experiencing extended wait times. If your child is showing COVID-19 symptoms, we have a guide to help you know where to go.

Most patients can now be seen at Cook Children’s 10 days after a positive COVID-19 test

Please note that this is a Cook Children’s policy and it may be different from when your child may return to their school or daycare.

Most patients can now be seen for primary care checkups and routine specialist care at all Cook Children’s locations 10 days after a positive COVID-19 test.

We used to ask you to wait 21 days. We shortened it because we now know that your child is most likely to be contagious 1-2 days before they show symptoms and 2-3 days afterwards.

If your child is in quarantine because they have tested positive in the last 10 days, but are sick and need to see their doctor, please call your pediatrician’s office.

We made this change to protect our most vulnerable patients and staff during this current surge. To protect everyone, only healthy adults should bring their children. Please get someone else to bring your child if you tested positive for COVID in the past 10 days or you are currently in quarantine due to exposure.

To be extra safe, we ask that families of severely immunosuppressed patients still wait for 21 days. Examples include children who are on active chemotherapy or recently received a transplant.

Cook Children's Medical Center

Two people from the child’s immediate family may visit the patient in the hospital or accompany them to an appointment. For example: mom and sister; dad and daughter; mom and grandmother. Only the two designated caregivers that have an armband will be allowed to stay with the child in the hospital after visitation hours end each day.
All surgery and procedural areas at the medical center and Dodson ASC, including the main OR, surgery waiting areas, etc. will follow the two people from the child’s immediate family policy in place for the medical center.

All locations

Primary Care and Specialty Care offices, including Dodson and Infusion Center; Urgent Care Centers; Neighborhood Clinics; Outpatient Surgery Centers in Hurst and Prosper; Rehab; Home Health office

Two people from the child’s immediate family may come with the patient to any appointments or visits. For example: mom and sister; dad and daughter; mom and grandmother.

Important to know

While you are in your child’s room, examination room or other care settings across all Cook Children’s locations, you must wear your mask while Cook Children’s staff members are in the room/area with you.
If you leave your child’s room, exam room, other care setting or go to any public areas, you must wear your mask at all times.

Virtual and telemedicine visits

Cook Children's primary care and urgent care physicians are partnering to provide telemedicine visits to help provide the quality pediatric care you expect from Cook Children's. These visits can be done from home on a phone, tablet or computer with a webcam. In preparation for a visit:

Patients must have an active MyCookChildren's account.
Patients must download the program Zoom to their device.

After that, parents can choose to request a visit with the next available pediatrician by selecting the “Video Visit Now” tab in MyCookChildren's. Urgent Care doctors are available to see these visits from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. Once selecting the Video Visit Now button, patients are put in line for the next available provider.

In addition to telemedicine visits, Cook Children's pediatricians are actively working to help keep patients safe by direct messaging with patient families and providing phone visits when video is not an option. Messages can include a picture or video and can be sent through the MyCookChildren's “Messages” tab.

Pharmacy orders

Refills and curbside orders: 8 A.M. to midnight, 7 days a week

If a visit you had to Cook Children's Medical Center was canceled and you still need refills, we are providing overnight shipping via FedEx, no need to transfer.

If you want to pick up your order, we have begun curbside delivery on the corner of Terrell Ave. and 6th Ave.

Curbside delivery instructions

Pull up next to the GREEN curb, under the BLUE canopy. Click here for driving directions.
Call Pharmacy at 682-885-6914. Tell us your child's name, date of birth, and curbside delivery location.
Staff from our pharmacy will bring your medicine to the car.

If you suspect exposure

If you suspect your child or anyone in the household has been exposed to someone with Coronavirus (Covid-19) OR has fever and cough, please call the Coronavirus Hotline for your county.

Tarrant: 817-248-6299
Collin: 972-548-5500
Denton: 940-349-2585

Education and information

Here are some answers to questions parents might have.

COVID-19 information