"There are a lot of patients who need specialized care or even higher levels of care and it’s really important that in this rapidly growing community that we have that available to these families," said Dr. Hogan, pediatricitian at Cook Children's Pediatrics Prosper Trail.

Dr. Hogan is one of 24 Cook Children's pediatricians currently treating patients in this region of North Texas. She says patients like hers need a place to access specialized and emergency pediatric care without having to drive 30 minutes to an hour away from home.

"A lot families have hardships and are not able to drive that far, or take off work all the time to go to these visits, and having this inpatient hospital and specialized care right her will make it easier for all the families," Dr. Hogan explained.

Construction of Cook Children's Medical Center North is in the initial phases with plans to have a full service hospital completed in 2022. The new hospital will be located on a 23-acre site in Prosper at Windsong Parkway and Highway 380. Having started in October of last year, phase one is already underway with plans to open a primary and urgent care clinic in the fall. An outpatient surgery center and specialty clinic with imaging and lab services will open in 2020.

"I'm really excited about the hospital opening up and being able to refer my patients to specialists, right here in Prosper, and being able to send my patients to get the specialized care that they need, having higher levels of care right across town," said Dr. Hogan. "I think that is going to be really wonderful for the families here."

Currently, Cook Children’s operates eight primary care offices in and around the Town of Prosper. The expansion near Windsong Ranch marks the first time in Cook Children's 101 year history that a full-service hospital has been built outside of Fort Worth.

"Just like the Town of Prosper is family, a close knit community, so is Cook Children’s," said Dr. Hogan. "We are all here wanting your children to be healthy and do better in life and be able to get the care they need to grow up to be happy and healthy adults."

So before your child arrives, it’s important try to be as prepared as possible.

Prior to Delivery

1. Every mother should get a Tdap vaccine in the third trimester of pregnancy to protect her baby against whooping cough. Any other family members who will be spending time with your newborn should also get a Tdap vaccination. If it’s flu season, family members should also receive the flu vaccine to protect your child from getting the flu, since babies are unable to receive the flu vaccine themselves until they are 6 months old.
2. Pack a to-go bag for the hospital with clothes, toiletries, and a camera (or at least have your phone charged and ready to go), as well as anything that you may want to have during delivery such as soothing music. Formula, diapers and wipes are readily available in the hospital and do not need to be packed. Don’t forget to bring your baby’s car seat, as your family won’t be allowed to leave the hospital without having one.
3. If possible, before delivery, ensure that car seat/car seat base is installed tightly. If it can be moved more than an inch side to side or front to back, it’s not tight enough. All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the car seat manufacturer, which is usually about 40 pounds. Most children can stay rear-facing until after 2 years old. Rear-facing is the safest way for babies/toddlers to ride.
4. Make sure your baby has a safe sleeping space at home. This may be a crib or bassinet with a firm, flat surface for your baby to sleep on. Besides a tight-fitting sheet over a mattress, there should not be anything else in the crib/bassinet. No loose blankets, stuffed animals/toys, pillows or bumpers in the sleep space. It’s recommended that babies share a room with parents. The bassinet or crib should be close to your bed for at least the first 6 months of life, but preferably the first year of life. This has been shown to decrease the risk of SIDS.

After Delivery

1. After delivery, your child will be examined by a pediatrician within the first 24 hours of life, and then each day your baby is in the hospital.
2. Every baby will receive a vitamin K shot and erythromycin eye ointment soon after they are born.
3. After your baby is born, he or she should be fed on demand, which is usually every 2-3 hours. Every baby loses weight in the first week of life, and then usually gains back to their birth weight by about 2 weeks of life. Until that time moms, be prepared to feed at least every 3 hours.
4. Breastfeeding: In the first few days after birth, a mother’s body will produce nutrient rich colostrum for her baby. Breast milk usually comes in 3-5 days after the birth. It’s helpful to breastfeed often to stimulate milk production. Breastfeeding is a learning process for both mother and baby. It’s very helpful to utilize lactation consultants in the hospital. They are a wonderful resource for parents.
5. Babies should receive their first hepatitis B vaccine prior to discharge from the hospital. Babies will also have a hearing screen, congenital heart screen, and newborn screen done prior to discharge from the hospital.
6. When placing your baby in the car seat after leaving hospital: Harnesses should be at or below the baby’s shoulders. When testing the harness strap over your baby’s shoulders, you should not be able to pinch any slack between your fingers. The harness chest clip should be at the center of the chest, even with your baby’s armpits.
7. Your baby should have a follow-up appointment with your pediatrician 2-3 days after discharge from the hospital, or sooner if needed.
8. Keep the umbilical cord clean and dry. Only give sponge baths until the umbilical cord has fallen off. If there is any redness/swelling or foul smelling discharge, call your pediatrician.
9. Try to keep yourself and your baby away from people who are sick. Wash your hands with soap and warm water often. If you are not near water, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner. Call your pediatrician if your baby has a fever, which is 100.4 degrees F. The most accurate way to check a baby’s temperature is rectally.

Argh! I know. It seems like a lot. But by taking a few precautionary steps now, you will have more time to enjoy your baby and this exciting time in your lives!

Halley Hogan, M.D., a pediatrician at Cook Children’s newest location in Prosper, Texas, took some time to answer our questions about what’s going around.

What kind of bugs are you seeing in your office right now?

We’re seeing cases of Influenza B, norovirus and group A strep.

Is the flu season still in full swing or are we nearing the end? 

We are begining to see flu activity throughout the state of Texas. Flu activity will likely remain high for several more weeks.

What should parents know about the difference between the flu, norovirus and rotavirus? 

Norovirus is the virus that causes the “stomach bug.” It causes vomiting and diarrhea and can affect anyone.

Rotavirus most often affects infants and young children. It can cause fever, watery diarrhea and vomiting. What we worry about most with rotavirus is infants/young children becoming dehydrated. It is recommended that children get the rotavirus vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months of age. Vaccinated kids are less likely to get sick from rotavirus and can have less severe symptoms if they do get rotavirus.

Flu is caused by the influenza virus. Flu affects the respiratory system, and can cause fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue.

With many schools back in session after spring break last week, what does that mean for these illnesses? Are kinds more at risk being in school?

Flu is spread when people with the virus talk, sneeze, or cough, sending flu droplets to the people close to them. It can also be spread by touching a surface that has flu virus on it and then touching your nose, mouth, or eyes. If you have the flu, you are contagious one day before symptoms start and up to 7 days after becoming sick.

Norovirus can also spread easily. Kids can get norovirus by sharing food or drinks with someone who is sick, or by touching surfaces contaminated with norovirus and then touching their mouths. You are most contagious with norovirus while you have vomiting/diarrhea, but you can still spread it for two weeks after you are better.

Many times, children with flu or norovirus return to school while they are still contagious and this increases the spread of these illnesses and can cause outbreaks in schools.

Are there any questions or concerns you’re hearing from parents?

Yes, parents often ask “How can we decrease the chances of siblings/other family members/friends getting the flu?”

The best way to decrease your risk of flu is getting the flu vaccine every year. It is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. Try not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands after.

Meet Halley Hogan, M.D., Prosper Trail's Pediatrician

 

Dr. Hogan was raised in the Dallas area. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry from SMU, she attended the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston for her medical degree. She then completed her pediatric residency at University of Texas Southwestern in Austin. Dr. Hogan is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Hogan provides comprehensive health care to children of all ages. She has a passion for pediatrics and loves getting to know families, with the philosophy that providing the best primary care depends on developing personal relationships with her patients and their families. She has a special interest in preventative medicine and promoting healthy, happy childhoods for all children. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two young sons, as well as reading and traveling. Make an appointment with Dr. Hogan here.