Proactive Protection: Cook Children's Measles Response Plan

Cook Children’s Medical Center-Fort Worth Infectious Diseases ICU has six negative-pressure rooms to care for children potentially diagnosed with measles.

“It takes planning,” explained Suzanne Whitworth, M.D., Division Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.

The unit has six beds and dedicated areas for visitors and staff to put on and take off personal protective equipment (PPE). The rooms also provide a bed for family members and have specialized air ventilation systems. In the negative-air-pressure rooms, air is pulled inward, preventing recirculation.

“We are so grateful to have this unit here primarily because these children will be able to stay with their parents and keep our staff safe,” Dr. Whitworth said.

The unit focuses on keeping children with their parents and avoiding exposure to others. The rooms provide space for two parents or guardians to sleep and a bathroom with a shower.

Dr. Whitworth adds that any medical personnel in the unit will don PPE similar to that used during the pandemic.

“They would wear a gown with long sleeves, gloves, an N95 mask, and eye protections,” said Dr. Whitworth.

Currently, Cook Children’s Medical Centers in Fort Worth and Prosper have not had a measles case.

Dr. Whitworth explains the unit is not new. In 2022, the unit opened although Cook Children’s had discussed the need long before, and the need became more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This unit allows us to have a space where we are always ready for the next thing that comes along,” said Dr. Whitworth.

The unit provides staff with an area for them to shower and change before going home.

System-Wide Solutions

Dr. Whitworth said a meeting was held with Cook Children’s Health Care system stakeholders to ensure a synchronized response in case of a measles outbreak. This includes the medical center in Prosper, primary care and urgent care offices.

The medical center in Prosper also has negative-pressure rooms, which would be used if a child were diagnosed with measles.

Clinics have adopted updated policies for testing, identifying people with measles, and caring for those patients.

“Everything is really full-court press right now for preparation in case we have to do that here, and hopefully we won’t,” Dr. Whitworth said. 

Vaccinations and immunizations

Here are a few resources and tips for finding a place to take your child for immunizations. 

• Check with your child’s doctor. Ask which vaccines are due and make an appointment. If your child needs a doctor, see our locations or call 211 for help. 
• Visit a public health vaccine clinic. Anyone from any county can call Tarrant County Public Health at 817-248-6299 to make an appointment or to find a walk-in clinic. 
• Check with your local school district for vaccine events. 
• Enter your zip code at Vaccines.gov to find other options. 
   

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