August 31, 2020

As Hurricane Laura gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico and set its sights on landing as a Category 4 hurricane somewhere along the Texas/Louisiana coastline, Texas Children’s employees assigned to ride-out the storm at one of our three hospital campuses packed their bags and headed to their designated areas.

Just like they did three years ago when Hurricane Harvey was upon us and in years past when other storms were headed our way, they showed up to help take care of our patients and their families, even during a potential storm.

This year, with the COVID-19 pandemic still in our midst, there were additional concerns to tend to and plan for, but that didn’t deter anyone from showing up ready to carry out Texas Children’s mission of caring for children and women no matter what, under good circumstances and trying ones, too.

“Everyone’s attitude has been perfect,” said Susana De La Torre, whose job was to help direct people to and from their assigned sleeping quarters in Mark A. Wallace Tower. “No one has had anything negative to say.”

When leaders decided to active the organization’s ride-out team on August 26, the path of Hurricane Laura was still fluctuating with some forecasts pointing it right at Houston. Fortunately for our region, the storm ended up tracking east sparing us from the severe damage it dealt our neighbors. Nevertheless, we were prepared for the worst even during a pandemic.

To keep everyone safe while riding out the storm, everyone was required to adhere to all COVID-19 precautions and protocols, including screening upon arrival and every 24 hours thereafter, masking, socially-distant sleep accommodations, and dedicated areas for employees who begin to experience COVID-19 symptoms.

Employee Health was available throughout the ride-out if an individual exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 to help isolate them, monitor their symptoms, provide medical assistance and assess the need for COVID-19 testing. Had an employee’s medical condition required a higher level of care, there was a medical team on standby and our Employee Medical Clinic Physician was also available.

The departments of Organizational Resilience, Infection Control, Facilities and the Incident Command Planning Section worked on these plans for months and were prepared to implement them prior to everyone’s arrival.

Burt Gumeringer, senior vice president of facilities and operations, said leaders have been thinking for months about what it would look like to have employees come into the hospital and ride out a hurricane during a pandemic.

“Our primary concern was protecting our staff,” Gumeringer said. “The two main things we knew we had to change were sleeping arrangements and screening.”

Sleeping arrangements were made so that people were socially distant and a policy stating that employees on ride out had to be screened every 24 hours even if they didn’t leave the building was put into place.

Dr. Brent Kaziny, medical director of Emergency Management, said Texas Children’s has a duty to provide services to our patients and families during events such as these.

“In order to do that, we need to make sure our home is in order and that our families are in good hands so that we can come to the hospital and do what we need to do for those we serve,” Kaziny said. “Being prepared is of upmost importance.”

Hurricane season is not over yet. It won’t come to a close until November 30. So, we all have to stay vigilant and aware of storms brewing in the Atlantic. Pay close attention to local media reports concerning weather conditions and make sure you stay up to date with Texas Children’s Emergency Management communications. These are sent via texts, phone calls and emails through the Texas Children’s Notification System. Please make sure to update your personal information in MOLI with your current mobile phone number so you receive all messages in a timely manner. Here are the instructions for updating your information in MOLI.

On the 15th anniversary of the devastating storm, Dr. Brent Kaziny recalls in a TMC News story his experience as a young intern in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina and how it shaped his career in emergency management. Read more

 

Each year in September, Texas Children’s Cancer Center goes gold to honor the courageous journeys of our patients and families who have been touched by pediatric cancer and to create awareness about the challenges these children and their loved ones face. It’s also a special time to honor our Cancer Center staff and everyone who plays a role in ensuring that our patients and their families get the care and support they need.

This year, awareness celebrations will be conducted differently to maintain social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We will celebrate with our families and staff in a virtual way, instead of the large celebratory gatherings across our four campuses (Main, West, Woodlands and Vannie Cook) that we have held in previous years.

“Despite the challenges we all face due to COVID-19, we have a phenomenal team of providers who will do whatever it takes 24/7 to ensure our patients and their families get the care and treatment they need,” said Dr. Susan Blaney, director of Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers. “Our Cancer Center helps children fight and defeat cancer every day. We hope you will stand with us in Going Gold for childhood cancer, so that together, we can create a healthier future for these children who need our care.”

In this video spotlight on Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Blaney shares how our teams are advancing science and research every day to find cures and give hope to the many patients and families we serve.

Virtual activities to raise awareness

Throughout September, Texas Children’s Cancer Center encourages staff to participate in several virtual activities to help shine the light on childhood cancer.

  • Patient and staff videos: Throughout the month of September, we will feature inspiring videos from patients and families sharing messages of encouragement and support to other families impacted by childhood cancer. Our Cancer Center staff will share video messages as well. The videos will be posted on Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers Facebook Page and our One Amazing Team Instagram Page.
  • Making a Mark virtual art gallery opens: Presented by The Periwinkle Foundation, the Making A Mark® exhibition will showcase art and creative writing by children ages 3 to 22 who have been affected by cancer and blood disorders. The exhibit opens each year in September and this year it will be hosted virtually on The Periwinkle Foundation website. The exhibit will feature over 130 pieces of art and creative writing made by patients and their siblings. A panel of guest judges have selected 15 purple ribbon pieces which they feel convey a positive message about childhood cancer and blood disorders awareness. Click here to access the art gallery.
  • Purple Songs Can Fly documentary – Purple Songs Can Fly, the first recording studio ever created on a pediatric cancer floor at Texas Children’s Hospital, will make its award-winning documentary, “Journey to Hope” available on YouTube September 12-30 during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. “Journey to Hope,” is an original musical production featuring six childhood cancer patients. Written and recorded in the Purple Songs Can Fly studio during their individual cancer journeys, the songs in the documentary spread messages of hope, love and resiliency.
  • Visit the Texas Children’s Blog for Cancer Center-related posts throughout the month. Stay tuned to Connect for more Texas Children’s awareness activities in September.
Virtual activities in the community

Patient Activities
The Cancer and Hematology Centers’ inpatient team is hosting a carnival and the outpatient team is hosting a variety of activities throughout the month to honor childhood cancer awareness month as well as the patient populations impacted by the diseases/disorders being honored in September.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
September 17: Houston City Hall lights up in Gold

Click here to learn more about Texas Children’s Cancer.

Approximately 25 percent of children and adolescents in the United States have a diagnosed mental, behavioral, learning, or developmental disorder, and these numbers are growing rapidly as more children and families continue to be impacted by the uncertainty, economic stress and daily disruption caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“Since we began building our developmental-behavioral health infrastructure in The Woodlands in 2016, our focus has been on developing a robust program that serves the broad developmental and mental health care and behavioral needs of children and families,” said Dr. Paul Sirbaugh, chief medical officer at Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands. “From diagnosis to a multidisciplinary treatment approach, our patients and families can access services in their own community from behavioral health specialists who treat a myriad of mental health issues.”

The Developmental-Behavioral Health team consists of psychiatrists, psychologists, a clinical social worker and a developmental-behavioral pediatrician who collaborate with colleagues at Texas Children’s, Texas Children’s Pediatrics and in the community to design efficient methods to screen and identify patients in need of our services.

Having developmental-behavioral health services available at Texas Children’s provides the security of knowing that children and families will benefit from science-informed practice and a focus on quality and outcomes, ensuring our patients and their families have access to the right care, in the right place at the right time.

Our patient model of care

Referrals to the Developmental-Behavioral Health team at The Woodlands are routed through the Behavioral and Developmental Sciences Referral Center. A dedicated referral team reviews all patient referrals closely and triages them to the appropriate service, location and provider based on the patient’s needs. The developmental-behavioral health providers can also bring other members of the team on board for those patients who would benefit from more than one service.

Psychology

The psychology team in The Woodlands offers diagnostic assessment and psychotherapy intervention services either through in-person or e-Health video visits for children and adolescents with behavioral health concerns.

“Within psychology, our focus is on using evidence-based tools and interventions to diagnose, treat and monitor outcomes for our patients,” said Chief of Psychology Dr. Karin Price. “Our psychology providers work with a broad spectrum of pediatric and adolescent patients including those with common mental health concerns and difficulties related to acute and chronic health issues.”

The Woodlands team consists of four psychologists and a certified social worker with diverse specialties:

  • Dr. Elizabeth Franklin treats adolescent patients with mood, anxiety and eating disorders. She also serves as the bariatric surgery psychologist for The Woodlands Bariatric Surgery Program, where she conducts pre-surgical psychological evaluations and assists patients with interventions for binge eating disorders.
  • Dr. Jennifer Kazmerski specializes in pediatric behavioral sleep medicine. Working with our Sleep Center, she provides evidence-based therapy services to children and their families for a range of sleep concerns and sleep disorders including behavioral insomnia, nocturnal enuresis and obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Dr. Aime Allain provides family-based interventions for common child and adolescent mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression. She counsels patients on relational concerns whether it be helping families manage conflict and/or social relationships in a healthier, more adaptive way.
  • Dr. Don Caudle provides neuropsychological assessment for patients with illnesses or injuries that impact their cognitive functioning, helping families and educators understand a child’s strengths and weaknesses, and how to best help them in their daily lives.
  • Nikki Adeleke is a licensed clinical social worker who is part of the Traumatic Stress and Resiliency program that provides support and intervention to children and families facing trauma, stress and personal crises.

While psychologists and psychiatrists both specialize in evidence-based diagnostic assessment and treatment planning for patients, Texas Children’s psychiatrists provide more specialization in medication management.

Psychiatry

Under the guidance of Dr. Kirti Saxena, interim section chief of psychiatry at Texas Children’s, the psychiatry team in The Woodlands consists of two psychiatrists Drs. Nabil Guirguis and Humera Danwar, who also see patients through in-person visits or e-Health video visits, making it easier for providers and their patients to connect remotely.

“We have a full case load of patients in our clinic,” said Saxena. “There is a huge demand for children with primary psychiatric needs, but also patients with chronic medical conditions who need psychiatric services. Many of our slots are filled for existing patients, so trying to get new patients in has been challenging for us, but our providers are doing a fantastic job of accommodating as many patients as we can given our current resources.”

Often times, patients with mental health needs may benefit from more than one service. If a patient has been diagnosed with a mood or anxiety disorder, a traumatic brain injury, or is lagging behind in school after a diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – and in addition to psychotherapy – they need medication to manage the symptoms of their illness more effectively, that’s when the expertise of psychiatry comes into play.

“We collaborate with our psychology partners regularly to ensure that we provide the most comprehensive, individualized treatment plan for our patients,” said Danwar. “We also work with colleagues in developmental pediatrics. If we have a patient with autism whose symptoms are not being managed well with other therapies, and medication management is needed, that’s when my expertise is needed to assist with their treatment plan.”

Developmental Pediatrics

The Meyer Center for Developmental Pediatrics at Texas Children’s is the third component of the comprehensive model of care for patients and their families enrolled in the Developmental-Behavioral Health Program in The Woodlands.

Led by Dr. Robert Voigt, the chief of service for the Meyer Center and head of the section of developmental pediatrics in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, our developmental-behavioral pediatricians provide medically directed diagnostic consultations for infants, children and adolescents spanning the full spectrum of developmental-behavioral pediatrics – from intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and cerebral palsy to learning disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and motor coordination disorders. The Meyer Center also provides medically directed developmental evaluations for children at increased risk for developmental-behavioral disorders due to prematurity or other neonatal complications, medical conditions such as congenital heart disease, genetic syndromes, or neurologic disorders, or adverse psychosocial experiences.

“Our approach is interdisciplinary and family-centered, and our evaluation considers the individual and collective impact of biological, genetic, environmental and social factors,” said Dr. Candice Allen, the only developmental- behavioral pediatrician at Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands. “Our team evaluates each child and works with the family on assessments, team meetings and conferences to develop an individualized treatment program so that every child who seeks our services receives the care and support they need to achieve their highest potential.”

As medical director of the SOAR (High Risk Neonatal Follow Up) Program at The Woodlands, Allen works closely with families to ensure a seamless transition of care following their infant’s discharge from the NICU. Through this program, the infant’s early growth and development are tracked to ensure that any developmental concerns are detected and addressed as early as possible. If developmental concerns arise, The Woodlands team of SOAR Occupational, Physical and Speech therapists are ready and able to provide any therapy services that are needed.

“It’s so critical that our patients are able to readily access all of our developmental-behavioral health services in The Woodlands,” Allen said. “The sooner that a patient’s mental health, neurodevelopmental and/or neurobehavioral concerns are diagnosed and treated early on, the better the long term outcomes will be for the patient and their family.”

Expecting mothers will soon receive even higher quality service when they visit The Center for Children and Women.

In response to patient feedback, the obstetrics services at both the Greenspoint and Southwest locations will treat patients with a new personal care team model. This will prevent families from seeing up to 10 different providers and instead offer them their own team of no more than four providers.

“We are excited about this change, especially because it has been made in direct response to one of our most common patient complaints,” said Dr. Faunda Armstrong, assistant medical director for The Center at Greenspoint. “The smaller team model will allow providers to develop a patient plan together, build a closer relationship with families and increase trust at every appointment.”

To ensure that this change – set for mid-September – achieves the intended results, The Center will continue to use the patient satisfaction firm, Press Ganey. The firm’s annual survey results will show the effects of the change.

Additional recent changes include an increased use of telemedicine appointments to keep patients and families safe amid COVID-19 concerns. For more information about The Center for Children and Women visit https://www.jointhecenter.org/.

August 30, 2020

You are seen

The following passage was written by Texas Children’s Chaplain James Denham. 

I want you to know that you are seen. Your tireless efforts are seen and heard and they are felt deeply. But I am willing to bet you may not feel as tireless as you seem. We all are feeling the drain of life as school for some approaches and others has already started, as flu season is upon us, as a pandemic draws on, and as we are faced with multiple new norms.  It’s OK to acknowledge this. We truly can feel hectic and yet paralyzed. We can feel exhausted and on constant adrenaline. We can feel drained and restless.

Today, I want you to hear the words of a theologian I love deeply – John O’Donohue. O’Donohue is a gifted writer and feeler, who captures my feelings right now, but he also writes with such a deep invite to renewal beyond what I have experienced. The reality is that we may not get back to who we were, but there is a joy in what we do at Texas Children’s that can give us a greater renewal and nourishment even in these times. This is my prayer for you and for all of us here who yearn for more right now.

For One Who Is Exhausted: A Blessing

By John O’Donohue

When the rhythm of the heart becomes hectic,
time takes on the strain until it breaks;
then all the unattended stress falls in
on the mind like an endless, increasing weight.

The light in the mind becomes dim.
Things you could take in your stride before
now become laborsome events of will.

Weariness invades your spirit.
Gravity begins falling inside you,
dragging down every bone.

The tide you never valued has gone out.
And you are marooned on unsure ground.
Something within you has closed down;
and you cannot push yourself back to life.

You have been forced to enter empty time.
The desire that drove you has relinquished.
There is nothing else to do now but rest
and patiently learn to receive the self
you have forsaken in the race of days.

At first your thinking will darken
and sadness take over like listless weather.
The flow of unwept tears will frighten you.

You have traveled too fast over false ground;
now your soul has come to take you back.

Take refuge in your senses, open up
to all the small miracles you rushed through.

Become inclined to watch the way of rain
when it falls slow and free.

Imitate the habit of twilight,
Taking time to open the well of color
that fostered the brightness of day.

Draw alongside the silence of stone
until its calmness can claim you.
Be excessively gentle with yourself.

Stay clear of those vexed in spirit.
Learn to linger around someone of ease
who feels they have all the time in the world.

Gradually, you will return to yourself,
Having learned a new respect for your heart
and the joy that dwells far within slow time.

 

August 26, 2020

August 27, 2020, 7:15 am

Texas Children’s discontinues ride-out and Emergency Pay Practices

Weather conditions in and around the Greater Houston area remain calm, so we are discontinuing ride-out activation and Emergency Pay Practices at 7 a.m. this morning.

Although Hurricane Laura did not greatly affect the Greater Houston area, we thoroughly prepared for the worst-case scenario, and are grateful for everyone’s detailed planning. Our neighbors in Beaumont did experience effects of Hurricane Laura, and Health Plan leadership will be working diligently today to ensure the safety of our members in that area.

Return of cots
We need your help in returning cots quickly so we can transition the spaces used for sleep accommodations back to normal operations. For those who stayed overnight in Mark A. Wallace Tower or the Pavilion for Women, please return your cleaned cots to the service elevator lobbies so they may be picked up. For those who stayed overnight at West Campus and Woodlands Medical Office Buildings, please follow instructions from local leadership for returning cots.

Labor Pool shifts
Please connect with your Labor Pool leader to determine needs and schedules for today. All Labor Pool shifts will return to normal schedules tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 28.

Operational updates
Thursday, Aug. 27
Today’s outpatient clinic appointments and elective surgeries at all three hospitals were rescheduled, and Texas Children’s Specialty Care locations in and around the Greater Houston area are closed today.

All Texas Children’s Pediatrics locations in and around the Greater Houston area are closed for in-person appointments today, but video visits via MyChart are available. Texas Children’s Urgent Care locations will open and operate during normal business hours.

Texas Children’s Health Plan The Center for Children and Women locations are closed today.

Friday, Aug. 28
All Texas Children’s locations will be open and return to normal operations tomorrow.

For the most up-to-date information, visit texaschildrens.org/weather.

Parking, screening and shuttle services
All Texas Children’s employees arriving at the Medical Center Campus should continue parking in Garage 19 and take advantage of our shuttle services, which returned to normal operations today. Please continue appropriate social distancing practices while on the shuttles and while at all locations.

Please note, if you stayed the night and will be working a new shift today, you are required to be screened again. Please return to a screening location and receive a new colored wristband before starting a new shift.

Dining options
As a reminder, all Texas Children’s workforce members with a red or blue badge continue to receive a 25% discount on any food, snack or beverage purchase at various hospital locations.

Medical Center Campus
The Bistro is open today from 6:30-10 a.m., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. The Coffee Corner is open today from 6:30-10 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. The Food Court at Wallace Tower is closed today. Additionally, McDonald’s is operating normal business hours today. All dining options at the Medical Center Campus will return to normal operations tomorrow.

West Campus
Dot’s Kitchen is open today with limited options from 7-10 a.m., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. The Coffee Spot is closed today. All dining options at West Campus will return to normal operations tomorrow.

The Woodlands
The Café is open from 7:30-10 a.m., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. The Coffee Shop is closed today. All dining options at The Woodlands campus will return to normal operations tomorrow.

As we resume our business operations, we want you to know how very thankful we are for all you do. Your dedication and commitment to our patients, their families and each other is tremendous and we couldn’t be more proud of our One Amazing Team.

August 26, 2020, 7:15 pm

Texas Children’s ride-out plans updated; contact your leader

Texas Children’s Incident Command has amended our ride-out plans as weather conditions are looking more optimistic for our area. Please connect with your leader for more information.

Updated closures
For the most up-to-date closure information, visit texaschildrens.org/weather.

Wednesday, Aug. 26
Texas Children’s Urgent Care locations at Texas Children’s Hospital’s Medical Center Campus and Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus closed at 4 p.m. today. All other Texas Children’s Urgent Care locations in and around the greater Houston area are closed today.

Thursday, Aug. 27
All outpatient clinic appointments and elective surgeries at all three hospitals on Thursday, Aug. 27 are rescheduled. Also, Texas Children’s Specialty Care locations in and around the Greater Houston area tomorrow will be closed.

All Texas Children’s Pediatrics locations in and around the Greater Houston area will be closed for in-person appointments tomorrow, but video visits via MyChart will be an option.

Both Texas Children’s Health Plan The Center for Children and Women locations will be closed tomorrow as well.

Food options
As a reminder, all Texas Children’s workforce members with a red or blue badge continue to receive a 25% discount on any food, snack or beverage purchase at various hospital locations.

Medical Center Campus
All dining locations at the Medical Center Campus today are operating at normal business hours. The Food Court at Wallace Tower is open until 6:30 p.m. The Bistro and Coffee Corner are both open until 8 p.m.

Tomorrow, the Bistro is open from 6:30-10 a.m., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. The Coffee Corner and Food Court at Wallace Tower will be closed tomorrow.

West Campus
Dot’s Kitchen is open today and tomorrow with limited options: 7-10 a.m., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. The Coffee Spot is now closed and will remain closed for the duration of this weather event.

The Woodlands
The Café is open today and tomorrow: 7:30-10 a.m., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. The Coffee Shop is now closed and will remain closed for the duration of this weather event.

Screening and shuttle services
Please continue appropriate social distancing practices while at all locations, and note that screening is required at least every 24 hours throughout this weather event. You will need to return to a screening location and receive a new colored wristband before starting a new shift.

We currently have two shuttles running and additional shuttles will be brought online as soon as possible. Texas Children’s shuttle services will continue until 10 p.m.

Resources
More information, including the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, is available on the Emergency Management Connect site and through the National Weather Service website. For more information about what you should do to prepare for inclement weather events, click here.

Thank you for your commitment to caring for our patients and their families. We will continue to communicate additional updates as the situation warrants.

August 26, 2020, 10:30 am

Texas Children’s ride-out plans remain in place

Texas Children’s ride-out plans remain in place as Hurricane Laura is expected to make landfall as a category 4 hurricane tonight. As a reminder, staff and employees assigned to the ride-out team or scheduled to work the night shift tonight need to be checked-in and on-site at your assigned location by noon today. All of these individuals, in addition to those working the day shift today, should be prepared to stay for the duration of the storm.

Click here for a helpful list of things to pack and additional ways you can prepare for the storm. If you are unsure of your assignment, please contact your leader.

Weather update

Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate beginning this evening. Hurricane Laura is forecasted to make landfall early Thursday as a powerful hurricane just west of Beaumont. Strong winds and heavy rainfall will likely follow along with possible isolated tornadoes. Heavy rainfall is anticipated, as well as some isolated flooding. Hurricane force winds, upwards of 120 mph, are also expected close to the storm’s center, along with possible tidal surges of 12 to 15 feet.

The Greater Houston area is expected to receive 2-4” of rain, with an isolated 4-6” east of I-45. Isolated flash flooding and tornadoes are also possible. Periods of heavy rain are anticipated tomorrow with 20-30 mph gusty winds across a majority of the area, with 40-50 mph gusts expected in eastern Harris and Montgomery counties. Improving conditions are anticipated by noon tomorrow.

Employee Health

Employee Health will be available throughout this event, including overnight, which is when Hurricane Laura is anticipated to make landfall. For everyone working on-site during the ride-out, if at any time you exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, please contact Employee Health and they will make arrangements for you to be safely isolated until weather conditions improve. During this time, a team will be available to monitor your symptoms, provide medical assistance and assess the need for COVID-19 testing, which may be conducted on-site. Should an employee’s medical condition require a higher level of care, we will have an immediate medical team on standby and our Employee Medical Clinic Physician will also be available.

Contact information for everyone on-site during ride-out, please see below.

  • If I have COVID concerns or questions: 4-2150, option 4
  • If I have an injury: 4-2150, option 2

If you are off-site during this event and either develop symptoms of COVID-19 or experience an exposure, please continue to contact Employee Health or Med Staff Services.  If needed, you will be removed from any future work until a test can be performed.  Our goal is to resume normal testing operations on Friday, Aug. 28, assuming it is safe to do so at our drive through testing site.

Contact information for those who are off-site during the event, please see below.

  • If I have COVID concerns or questions: 4-2150, option 4
  • BCM Employee: Contact Medical Staff Support Services at 832-824-7561

Pay Practices

In preparation for Hurricane Laura, Texas Children’s will be issuing a phased activation of our Emergency Pay Practices beginning today and lasting until this emergency event concludes. Starting at noon, all off-shift employees who are required to be on-site as part of the ride-out team will be asked to clock in at noon using this guidance so they may receive their regular pay. Beginning at 7 p.m., Emergency Pay practices will then activate for all other non-exempt employees who are working on-site at a hospital location. For more information on Emergency Pay, please reference the following documents: Emergency Pay Overview and Frequently Asked Questions.

Parking and screening

All Texas Children’s employees arriving at the Medical Center Campus should park in Garage 19 and take advantage of our shuttle services. As a reminder, employees who are returning to our facilities for work or labor pool shifts must stop at a screening checkpoint upon arrival. You will also receive a mask at these checkpoints. Please continue appropriate social distancing practices while in line for and riding the shuttle, and at all locations.

Please note, screening will be required at least every 24 hours throughout this weather event. You will need to return to a screening location and receive a new colored wristband before starting a new shift.

Beginning today, TMC will be allowing off-peak and remote contract parkers to park in the facilities listed below after noon.

  • Garage 1
  • Garage 2
  • Garage 4
  • Garage 6
  • Garage 7
  • Garage 10
  • Garage 15

Contract parkers arriving after noon should pull a visitor parking ticket from the entry kiosk and proceed with parking. TMC will configure the access card to be valid at the exit, regardless of the departure time. Individuals can simply scan their parking access card at the exit and the gate will vend. Please discard your entry ticket after leaving the facility.

If there are any issues, please tap the “Help” button on the exit kiosk to contact TMC’s 24/7 Operations Center or call 713-791-6161. Individuals with a Smith Land’s, Smith Land’s South, South Extension Lot, or Off-Peak contract are eligible to enter these facilities after noon.

Additionally, TMC is modifying shuttle hours to comply with city and county requests for everyone to shelter in place until Hurricane Laura passes. Shuttles will stop operation at 4 p.m. today, and will resume when conditions have returned to a safe level. Any individual who parked in Smith Land’s, Smith Land’s South, or South Extension Lot should move their vehicle prior to 4 p.m.

Closures

For the most up-to-date closure information, visit texaschildrens.org/weather.

Resources

More information, including the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, is available on the Emergency Management Connect site and through the National Weather Service website. For more information about what you should do to prepare for inclement weather events, click here.

Stay informed

We urge you to pay close attention to local media reports concerning weather conditions and make sure you stay up to date with Texas Children’s Emergency Management communications. These will be sent via texts, phone calls and emails through the Texas Children’s Notification System. Please make sure to update your personal information in MOLI with your current mobile phone number so you receive all messages in a timely manner. Here are the instructions for updating your information in MOLI.

It’s important we all remain calm, positive and mindful of our obligation to provide uninterrupted care for our patients and their families. We also want you to take care of yourself and remain safe.

Thank you for your commitment to caring for our patients and their families. We will continue to communicate additional updates as the situation warrants.

August 25, 2020, 2:42 pm

Texas Children’s standing up ride-out team for storm

Texas Children’s Incident Command is establishing a ride-out team for what is now predicted to be a major hurricane, making landfall in our region overnight Wednesday, into Thursday.

Currently, weather conditions are expected to deteriorate beginning Wednesday evening. Hurricane Laura is forecasted to make landfall early Thursday as a major hurricane just west of Beaumont. It should then move quickly northward into the lower Mississippi Valley. Upon making landfall, strong winds and heavy rainfall will likely occur with isolated tornadoes a possibility. Heavy rainfall is anticipated, as well as some isolated flooding. Hurricane force winds, upwards of 120 mph, are also expected close to the storm’s center, along with possible tidal surges of 12 to 15 feet.

Preparation

For those who are assigned to the ride-out team, or for those scheduled to work the night shift on Wednesday, you need to be checked-in and on-site at your assigned location by noon Wednesday. All of these individuals, in addition to those working the day shift on Wednesday, should be prepared to stay for the duration of the storm. Use today to prepare your family, your home and your ride-out bag. Click here for a helpful list of things to pack and additional ways you can prepare for the storm. If you are unsure of your assignment, please contact your leader.

COVID-19 precautions

Your health and wellbeing is of the utmost importance. As such, to keep our facilities safe, we will adhere to all COVID-19 precautions and protocols, including screening upon arrival and every 24 hours thereafter, socially-distant sleep accommodations, and dedicated areas for employees who begin to experience COVID-19 symptoms. The departments of Organizational Resilience, Infection Control, Facilities and the Incident Command Planning Section have worked on these plans for months and are preparing to implement them prior to everyone’s arrival on Wednesday.

Parking and screening

All Texas Children’s employees arriving at the Medical Center Campus should park in Garage 19 and take advantage of our shuttle services. As a reminder, employees who are returning to our facilities for work or labor pool shifts must stop at a screening checkpoint upon arrival. You will also receive a mask at these checkpoints. Please continue appropriate social distancing practices while in line for and riding the shuttle, and at all locations.

Please note, screening will be required at least every 24 hours throughout this weather event. You will need to return to a screening location and receive a new colored wristband before starting a new shift.

Closures

We are continuing normal operations today across the system.

All outpatient clinic appointments scheduled for Wednesday in Mark A. Wallace Tower will be converted to a video visit or rescheduled to allow for sleeping accommodation preparations. All surgical cases, and all other outpatient appointments at the Pavilion for Women, Legacy Tower, West Campus and The Woodlands, will proceed as scheduled tomorrow. We anticipate outpatient clinic appointments and elective surgeries on Thursday will be rescheduled, but further guidance will be provided as we continue to monitor the storm’s track.

All decisions for community based locations – including Texas Children’s Pediatrics sites, Specialty Care locations and The Centers for Children and Women – will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Resources

More information, including the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, is available on the Emergency Management Connect site and through the National Weather Service website. For more information about what you should do to prepare for inclement weather events, click here.

Stay informed

We urge you to pay close attention to local media reports concerning weather conditions and make sure you stay up to date with Texas Children’s Emergency Management communications. These will be sent via texts, phone calls and emails through the Texas Children’s Notification System. Please make sure to update your personal information in MOLI with your current mobile phone number so you receive all messages in a timely manner. Here are the instructions for updating your information in MOLI.

It’s important that we all remain calm, positive and mindful of our obligation to be here to provide uninterrupted care for our patients and their families. By the same token, we also want you to be safe. We rely on your judgment in these situations to balance the need for your presence here with our desire to ensure you are not putting yourself in harm’s way.

Thank you for your commitment to caring for our patients and their families. We will continue to communicate additional updates as the situation warrants.

August 24, 2020, 5:55 pm

Texas Children’s preparing for storms brewing in Gulf

Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 23 Texas counties, including Harris County, as the state prepares for two storms brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. Texas Children’s leadership and the Department of Emergency Management are closely monitoring Tropical Storms Marco and Laura, both of which have the potential to affect east Texas and the greater Houston area.

Current storm updates

Marco is expected to make landfall in Louisiana later today. Minimal effects from that storm could be felt along the eastern Texas coast early Tuesday. About 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected. The forecast for Laura remains highly variable. Based on current data, the storm is expected to be upgraded to a potentially significant hurricane impacting western Louisiana or eastern Texas. However, the forecast storm path continues to drift westward making Houston a possibility for landfall on Thursday.

Be prepared

Leadership is tracking these weather patterns and is reviewing and updating preparedness plans accordingly to ensure alignment with all COVID-19 procedures and precautions. In the meantime, we urge you to pay close attention to local media reports concerning weather conditions. Staff members should prepare for 1-to-1 replacement if travel conditions are unsafe in and around our Texas Children’s locations. Please plan for additional travel time later this week, identify alternate routes, ensure your personal emergency preparedness bags are ready should we activate our response and our ride-out team is called to stay onsite, and have your personal plans in place.

Stay informed

In addition, make sure you stay up to date with Texas Children’s Emergency Management communications. These will be sent via texts, phone calls and emails through the Texas Children’s Notification System. Please make sure to update your personal information in MOLI with your current mobile phone number so you receive all messages in a timely manner. Here are the instructions for updating your information in MOLI.

Resources

More information, including the latest weather, traffic and road conditions, is available on the Emergency Management Connect site and through the National Weather Service website. For more information about what you should do to prepare for inclement weather events, click here.

Thank you for your commitment to caring for our patients and their families. We will communicate additional updates as the situation warrants.