“People are truly choosing to come here,” said Tiffany Pullom, nurse manager for the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Pullom and Suzanne Whitbourne, M.D. neonatologist, noted that many admitted infants arrive through the emergency department. Families often share that they chose the Prosper location specifically for its specialized pediatric reputation and its proximity to home.

“We have a long history of taking care of the babies in our NICU (stemming from our flagship medical center in Fort Worth,” said Dr. Whitbourne, “I think a lot of the reassurance comes from that expertise and that experience that we have, and they can see it day by day.”

The NICU typically cares for and admits infants up to 30 days of age. Since its opening, the unit has primarily treated upper respiratory illnesses and babies transferred from surrounding delivery hospitals.

The NICU features:

• 11 beds: 10 private rooms, including a room for twins.
• Family-centered amenities: On-site laundry services and single rooms equipped with bathrooms, breast pumps, milk warmers, and refrigerators.
• Dedicated nutrition lab and formula mixing.
• Virtual connection: A bedside camera system that allows parents to see their babies via an app when they cannot be at the hospital.

Pullom said these amenities reflect Cook Children’s holistic approach to healthcare.

“We have our lactation services; we have speech therapy. We have a multitude of subspeciality specialists here,” said Pullom. “Anywhere from ear, nose, throat (ENT) to pediatric surgeons, pulmonologist and sleep studies can be done here.”

 The care extends beyond the clinical needs of the infants to support the entire family. Case management and social workers assist parents with logistics, such as adding a newborn to an insurance policy.

“This facility supports families,” said Dr. Whitbourne. Having been with Cook Children’s Health Care System for 24 years, she believes established trust in the community is why families continue to choose their care.

 Related Stories:

• Finding Her Voice: How North Texas’ Newest NICU Helped an East Texas Newborn Heal from Vocal Cord Paralysis
• Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper Opens Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Expanding Care for Newborns in One of the Nation’s Fastest Growing Regions
• Cook Children’s Looks to Expand Medical Campus to Keep Up with Unprecedented Growth in Fort Worth

“Our surveillance has indicated increased flu activity in recent weeks, and we anticipate high activity for the next several weeks,” says Juan Rodriguez, DCPH Assistant Director and Chief Epidemiologist. “It is important for residents to be proactive in practicing prevention through receiving the flu vaccine and taking action to prevent the spread of disease.”

DCPH recommends a three-pronged approach to fighting the flu:

1. Get vaccinated. The best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu is to get an annual flu shot, and the flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older.

2. Remember that antiviral medications are a second-line defense against the flu. If you are experiencing fever, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, muscle aches and headaches, visit your doctor immediately, and take antivirals if prescribed. These remedies can help you recover quicker, and can potentially prevent you from being hospitalized with flu complications.

3. Take everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs. Cover your cough and sneeze, avoid people experiencing flu symptoms, stay home when you feel sick and wash your hands often. These steps will help prevent respiratory viruses, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinovirus.

Corwin Warmink, M.D., medical director of Emergency Services at Cook Children’s, reminds parents if your child is sick or has a fever, to wait 24 hours before sending the child back to school. “It’s important to minimize contact with others, especially in close quarters,” Dr. Warmink said.

At Cook Children’s, the number of children who have tested positive for the flu has gone down over the past two weeks. Last week, 283 children tested positive for the flu. Two weeks ago, 429 tested positive.

All unvaccinated residents over six months of age are strongly encouraged to be immunized for the flu.

“We want to remind residents that it is not too late to get the flu vaccine,” stated Dr. Matt Richardson, Director of Public Health. “Getting vaccinated today will help protect families throughout the remainder of the season.”

DCPH reminds residents that getting vaccinated is a community effort that not only protects yourself, but also those at highest risk for flu complications, including:

• Pregnant women and women up to two weeks postpartum
• Children younger than 5
• Adults 65 years of age and older
• People living in long-term care facilities
• American Indians and Alaskan Natives
• People with chronic health conditions

For more information:

• Why Your Family Should (Still) Get a Flu Shot
• When Is The Flu an Emergency?
• 6 Tips To Help Your Child Get Through The Flu