Here we go again! Our next flu shot clinic will be Thursday, October 1st.
Reminders:
- Call the office at 817-336-3800 to schedule your flu shot
- If possible, one parent please (you can bring more than one child)
- We can only vaccinate children who are patients of our office (no family members).
- Parents and any child age 2 and older will need to wear a mask. 😷
- We will be giving flu shots at check-ups during the week as well. At this time, we're sorry - we CANNOT GIVE FLU SHOTS TO SIBLINGS during the patient's check-up.
Call now to schedule! It fills up quick.
We are so proud of Dr. Mercer’s patient, Kinh Pham, for starting an amazing local company called Frog Mask:
“During the pandemic I started Frog Mask with the goal of helping our community battle COVID-19. We provide our masks to universities, cities, health systems, and businesses and use a large portion of the sales proceeds to donate masks to local charities and organizations in need. We have donated over 17,000 masks and hope to continue our mission to help our community.”
Please consider purchasing masks from this amazing young man, and giving back to our community! Please check them out!
Www.frogmask.org
❤️ Cook Children’s Forest Park
If you are coming to our flu shot clinic this morning, JUST WALK INTO THE BUILDING. Our phones are not on on the weekends. We will greet you inside and let you know where to go!
- Cook Children's Forest Park
WE HAVE TEMPORARILY RUN OUT OF FLU SHOTS for CHECK-UPS!
IF YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A NURSE-ONLY FLU SHOT THIS WEEK, OR ARE SCHEDULED FOR THE FLU CLINIC THIS SATURDAY, WE HAVE A FLU SHOT RESERVED FOR YOU.
CAPS LOCK! IS FUN!
If you have a check-up this week, i'm really sorry - we may not have a shot for you.
The way flu shots work is that we order a ton each year, but we get SMALL SHIPMENTS of them with VERY LITTLE HEADS UP! And we're expecting our next small batch at the END of this week.
I promise to update you here when we get more.
We have never seen demand for the flu vaccine like we have this year. It only took a little pandemic to remind folks about the importance of vaccination :) Thanks for being patient with us. 2020 IS A DOOZY. (it autocorrected to "DOODY" and i almost left it)
- Dr. Diane and CC Forest Park
We have a few staff members unexpectedly out today. This will effect how long it takes to call you back, email you back, and schedule your kiddos today. We may also have to shift/move some check-ups so we can accommodate sick kids and newborns this afternoon. We are SO sorry - we promise we are here for you, and will work as fast as we can! Thanks for being patient! - Cook Children's Forest Park ❤️
Dr. Diane Arnaout
October 23 at 10:43 PM ·
The chart you see here is the one that Cook Children’s sends to all of us providers as a weekly COVID-19 update.
It shows us how many COVID tests are positive across our entire network – offices, hospitals, urgent cares. These are tests done on children and adolescents in our area (Fort Worth and surrounding cities) that are under 18 years old.
This chart is one of the ways we Cook Children’s pediatricians are keeping an “eye” on our community. It’s pretty obvious that the number of positive cases we are seeing in children are on the rise in our area.
This worries me. While thankfully kids are lower-risk for severe disease with COVID-19, children are not risk-free.
Some kids may need to be hospitalized with COVID-19. Some may have long-term complications from it. Some healthy young athletes may have heart problems after contracting the virus.
And of course, I worry about the older and/or medically vulnerable family members that are in the lives of these young people.
In my worry I started thinking…well, why ARE kids catching COVID in our area? What are the most common ways the virus is being transmitted?
This is by NO means a scientific study, or official tally. This isn’t a peer-reviewed article or a broad-based survey. This is just an informal, general commentary of feedback I’ve gotten from local (and a few national) physicians and families.
So, we’re a few months into the school year…is this all school’s fault?
The answer is…probably not. While school is certainly not risk-free, the safety measures, procedures, and policy most schools have put in place will, in some part, provide its students and staff a good amount of protection.
Masking? It seems to be working in schools.
We do however have to keep in mind that 1) in some districts, a significant number of kids are choosing to virtual-school, thus leading to less kids in the classroom, and 2) some of the larger school districts have only recently opened back up to in-school classes.
School and daycare spread happens. It does. But I have been surprised and pleased at how low the true student/student or student/teacher transmission rates have been in my own practice, as have many colleagues.
School spread definitely seems to happen more often in older kids - middle school and high schoolers. And I’m hearing very little about daycare spread – again, this doesn’t mean it’s not happening – it’s just happening at lower rates than it does in older people.
I’m hearing more about local schools that are shutting down entire grades, and quarantining because there are quite a few cases popping up lately.
Based on the physicians and families I’ve talked to in the past few weeks, most cases seem to be brought to school from other environments. What are the most offending activities that cause spread and bring it to the classroom?
🦠Family gatherings. COVID-19 seems to spread through families like fire. Barbecues, birthday parties, funerals, weddings, or just an extended family dinner. Patients tell me, “but we’re not seeing anyone! We’re social distancing. We are staying safe. We are in our bubble!” without factoring in the fact that they are seeing family members (grandparents, cousins, uncles) who are going to work, school, the gym, church, etc. This family bubble you have put yourself in may be much, much larger than you think.
Dr. Whitworth of the Cook Children’s Infectious Disease department said it great: “Being back at school has lulled us in to this sense that children are together all of the time at school, and so it naturally seems acceptable for them to be together at other times, also.
However, school is a structured and planned environment to help prevent transmission. Birthday parties and other gatherings are different. Children are in closer contact, masks are often not worn because food is involved, and other new adults are often nearby. This is where much of the rise in disease in children has been shown to occur.”
🦠Team Sports. We are seeing a lot of spread in team sports, especially those involving indoor games and tournaments, where kids tend to be unmasked and lots of people are shouting. The doctors I’ve polled said “Cheer….so many in cheerleading!” and “Many became positive from a volleyball team that wore masks on the bench but not during play.” I’ve seen spread in almost all indoor sports. Basketball, volleyball, dance, and gymnastics have caused some of the largest outbreaks in our area. Keeping as much of the play as possible outside, and in masks, might be really helpful here.
🦠Parties. Birthday parties. Office parties. Holiday parties. The off-campus high school parties have been big spreader events in some areas of North Texas.
There are plenty of other ways to catch COVID, and this list certainly isn’t excluding those transmission routes.
And I’m not writing this to scare anyone, or pass judgement, or make anyone feel that they didn’t make a good decision.
I just want you to know the number of positive cases is going up, our hospital numbers are increasing, and it’s time to think outside of the box when it comes to gathering with others in our community.
Brainstorm about the holidays – could Thanksgiving dinner be outside on the patio this year? Could you eat together via Facetime? Could your family split up into smaller groups to celebrate?
Think about masking with your extended family when you visit with them. I know it feels weird at first, but after a few minutes, I promise everyone will feel okay.
Maybe we all can start masking more during sporting events, or holding the practices and games outside, where possible?
I’m only here to give you information, and to help. There’s no politics here, and I’m not here to tell you how to live your life.
I just am pleading for everyone to make the best decisions they can for their family.
Making good decisions is what will keep us going as a community, and keep those we love safe.
Let me take a minute to remind you of this great graphic from the Texas Medical Association that will help you know the risk involved with any activity you and your family partake in: https://www.texmed.org/TexasMedicineDetail.aspx?id=54216
Hugs 💕
Be safe.
Dr. Diane
HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE STAFF AND PROVIDERS AT COOK CHILDRENS FOREST PARK! 🎃💀👻
HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE STAFF AND PROVIDERS AT COOK CHILDRENS FOREST PARK! 🎃💀👻
HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE STAFF AND PROVIDERS AT COOK CHILDRENS FOREST PARK! 🎃💀👻
HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM THE STAFF AND PROVIDERS AT COOK CHILDRENS FOREST PARK! 🎃💀👻
HAPPY NURSE PRACTITIONERS WEEK to the TWO BEST NPs any office could ask for!
Kara and Jen: our staff, providers and patients value your amazing level of clinical skill, critical thinking, hard work, and sunny dispositions. 🌞 We just couldn't do it without you.
We love our nurse practitioners! Please let us know in the comments if you have anything to say to these wonderful ladies!
Due to the COVID-19 health crisis, our visitor policy may have changed. Before visiting a Cook Children’s location please be sure to review our current policy. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.
For more information, visit our website cookchildrens.org/coronavirus
HEY.
LISTEN UP!
your docs have something to say.
❤️ Drs. Arnaout, Kinloch, Hayes, and Mercer
Cook Children's
11 hrs ·
Doctors across Cook Children’s Health Care System urge the community to avoid large gatherings for Thanksgiving. Instead of traditional celebrations, our physicians offer advice on how to connect with extended family and friends from a distance.
Hours for Cook Children's Forest Park this week:
Today: 8:00-5:00pm
Tomorrow (Wednesday): 8:00am-12:00pm
Thursday and Friday: closed
Thank you for giving our providers and staff this time to spend with our families!
Everyone be healthy and safe.
❤️CC Forest Park
Dr. Diane Arnaout
20 hrs ·
Medical folks have had a rough year. Maybe rougher than most. Morale is pretty low across the nation.
Want to do something nice for a doctor, NP, PA, nurse, technician, medical office or hospital staff?
Get online and leave a good review for someone in the medical field who has helped you this year.
That sweet person who helped you on the phone. That physician that made the right diagnosis, or just sat down and listened to your concerns. That NP that really cared. That nurse who helped you through those new baby worries.
Give them a shout-out online. I promise, we read them. And they really do feel good to read.
A kind word could go a long way in a field where many are feeling isolated, scared, and frustrated this year.
Just some thoughts. Now for more coffee.
❤️DA
Becoming a nurse wasn't always my plan but goodness, it was a wonderful choice. It is a privilege that you allow us to help your children grow. LOVE, Nurse Aubrey
The physicians and NPs of Cook Children’s Forest Park believe in the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, and we were THRILLED to get our first doses these past few days, thanks to all the hard work and efforts of Cook Children's administration and staff.
We got it for your kids, and your family.
We got it for our families.
We got it for our colleagues and co-workers.
We got it because we believe in the science.
We got it to #stopthespread.
#WeAreCookChildrens
#ThisIsOurShot
Guess who came to visit today (maybe enticed by a little bit of chocolate fudge?)
DR. TOM!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Did you know that Dr. Tom Rogers has been a participant in the Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccine trial this year?
He and Joan don't know whether they got the real thing or the placebo, but volunteered themselves to advance the science, see if the vaccine is truly effective, and potentially save many, many lives!
Man we wished we coulda given him a hug. 🥰 Something tells me we'll be able to hug soon.
I'd like to say THANK YOU, Dr. and Mrs. Rogers, for volunteering to test out this vaccine so that all of us can someday be protected from this awful virus!
- Dr. Diane
HEY! Remember what our faces look like?
Happy Holidays from Cook Children's Forest Park!
Remember Cook Children's urgent cares should your child have any medical needs during the holidays.
UPDATE- Due to ICY roads, the office will be CLOSED TODAY. Everyone stay safe and warm!
~Forest Park Team
We will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday) because....well. You know.
Hang in there. So many of our staff and patients are without power and/or water. Our thoughts are with you.
We are here for you - we have nurses ready to take your calls and we are checking our MyChart emails throughout the day today if you have a non-urgent question.
❤ Cook Children's Forest Park
Dr. Diane Arnaout
February 14 at 6:26 PM ·
Many of you in colder climates may laugh at us during the winter in the South. Because it's true....we get 1/2 inch of snow and everything shuts down here.
But before you tease us - know that we don't have the salt trucks or snow-scooper trucks or snow-pusher trucks you guys have (i do not know snow truck nomenclature, as i am from the aforementioned South). And we're often stuck indoors for days. So if our children are sick during a record-setting snowstorm, we tend to panic.
Your emails sound worried, so I figured i'd jump on here and remind you of when it's important to seek care for your kiddo (and worth the scary drive) versus when it's okay to watch them closely at home.
❄ Fever - I know I say this all the time but...fever is our friend. It is a sign that our immune system is fully functional, and is working hard.
Treat the child, not the number. If he's acting like he's miserable, treat once every 6 hours with either acetaminophen or ibuprofen (if over 6 months), and it's okay if it doesn't go down all the the way to normal. It won't fry your child's brain.
We don't like any fever in children under 3 months of age, and we don't like if it's lasting longer than 4-5 days.
There are some fever symptoms and conditions that worry me, but the actual symptom of fever is not something to fear.
Much more here, in my article about fever: https://www.checkupnewsroom.com/lets-learn-about-fevers/?fbclid=IwAR2sFV41ciNv87b5f4bTP1jFiY7up0EcfwYCZvYlgJ2hHQ45eQ38afOYOXM
❄ Cough - okay, i'm just going to say it. Cough is our friend, too.
Cough is the way our body clears the mucus in our airway. It benefits us and helps us. It's usually worse at night if your child has nasal drainage. It's the reason snot doesn't get into our chest and turn into pneumonia all the time.
A cough may last 10-14 days with any cold your kiddo has. And kids often get back-to-back colds in the winter.
I don't like cough medicine under age 4. And never gave my kids anything but honey (if over age 1, it's great for suppressing cough to help sleep).
A cough tends to be more worrisome if a fever shows up later in the illness. I also worry more if it's accompanied by wheezing, vomiting, or shortness of breath. I've written lots about cough:
- check out this post: https://www.facebook.com/DrDianeArnaout/posts/3016772318393736
- and this one: https://www.facebook.com/DrDianeArnaout/posts/3152800984790868
❄ Rashes - This is a harder one to summarize, because obviously lots of things cause rashes. But the best way to know if a rash is worrisome? Look at your child as a whole. Is she fussy? Itching like crazy? Overall acting more sick? Then it needs to be seen soon (and telemedicine is great for this in a snowstorm).
Is she acting normally? Doesn't seem bothered by it? Playing and smiling? Just watch it for a few days and see if it will go on its own.
The top causes i see for rashes this time of year are eczema, viruses, chapped cheeks, and heat rash (children who are bundled up in many warm layers tend to sweat a lot under there). As always, contact your doctor if you're worried at all.
Hope this helps all of you parents stuck indoors with your kids for the next few days. Good luck with that. Is 1pm too early for an adult beverage? 🤪
Here's a pic of my little sister and i enjoying snow in 1990 or so. Obviously, blizzard conditions in Texas.
Stay safe and warm, friends!
❤DA
In an effort to keep our staff and patients safe, we will be closed Monday 2/15 due to the winter weather and potentially dangerous driving conditions.
❄️ If you have an appointment for Monday, you will be notified soon (today or tomorrow AM) about rescheduling.
❄️ We will have telemedicine appointments with your doctor available on Monday should you need one. You can call the office and speak with a nurse and they will schedule it for you. You will need the MyCookChildren's app (previously known as MyChart).
Stay safe - and have fun!
❤ Cook Children's Forest Park
We have attempted to reach out to all patient families who had appointments last week during Snowmageddon- if you haven't rescheduled your visit, please call us at 817-336-3800 and we will be happy to help find you a spot!
❤ Cook Children's Forest Park
