Telehealth and Virtual Medicine

Virtual medicine is not new to Cook Children's, in fact, our specialists have been conducting telemedicine visits in our regional outpatient clinics for more than 10 years. But it's grown to be so much more than that.

From providing specialty care for patient families across the globe, consulting with physicians in outlying areas to conducting virtual visits in school nurse's offices or after-hours in a patient's home, our telehealth and virtual medicine program is here for you.

Cook Children's has been using telemedicine and telehealth technologies since 2004.

What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine is the practice of connecting with a healthcare professional virtually through real-time audio and video conferencing. In addition to talking remotely to nurses, physicians and other healthcare professionals, specialized devices are used for diagnostic purposes. These can include an otoscope for the ear, stethoscope for heart and lung sounds and a close-up exam camera that can take video of the skin, eyes, and mouth.

Outpatient specialty care

Cook Children's specialty clinics throughout North Texas are equipped with cameras, microphones, TV monitors and specialized equipment, which means patient families can receive consultations and exams in real time without having to go to the inconvenience or expense of traveling far from home. Telemedicine provides coordinated care and ease of access that patient families in outlying areas otherwise wouldn't have.

Based on the diagnosis, a patient may have to be seen in person for an initial visit. Specialties currently offered through Cook Children's outpatient specialty care telemedicine include:

Specialty care is now as close as your computer, laptop, cell phone or tablet.

In addition to these specialties, we offer telehealth services, which give parents and children opportunities to learn from Cook Children's health professionals, such as dietitians, social workers, psychologists or counselors for patient education, dietary consultations and more.

Cook Children's Specialty Clinic – Abilene
Cook Children's Specialty Clinic – Denton
Cook Children's Hematology and Oncology Clinic – Grapevine
Cook Children's Specialty Clinic – Hurst
Cook Children's Specialty Clinic – Mansfield
Cook Children's Specialty Clinic – Midland
Cook Children's Specialty Clinic – San Angelo
Cook Children's Specialty Clinic – Southlake
Cook Children's Specialty Clinic – Tyler
Cook Children's Specialty Clinic – Waco

Inpatient specialty care

Cook Children's is now partnering with in-patient facilities in outlying regions in Texas as well as across the globe to provide them with access to our more than 240 specialists. Currently, all specialties are available for consult.

This allows for physicians in these areas to consult on medically fragile children without being moved or transported. With our phone lines staffed 24/7 by nurses, physicians across Texas and the globe can connect with Cook Children's specialists within minutes. If a transport is needed, our Teddy Bear Transport team can get patients here quickly and safely.

School program

We have begun a pilot of a new school-based telemedicine program. This means parents no longer have to immediately leave work or rearrange their schedules if they get a call from the school nurse. School nurses can connect virtually to a Cook Children's board certified pediatrician or certified nurse practitioner from the school nurse's office. Parents have the option of joining the virtual visit by logging into a secure website.

Through specialized equipment, the Cook Children's nurse practitioner or physician will be able to listen to a child's heart, look in their ears and throat and visually assess the child's other symptoms. If needed, electronic prescriptions can be sent to the family's preferred pharmacy.

Conditions that can be treated include:

Abrasions and scrapes
Coughs and colds
Cuts and lacerations
Earaches
Fever
Headaches
Pinkeye
Rashes

Learn more

For referring physicians

For urgent needs or transport requests, call 1-682-885-3901 .

Telemedicine visits are a win-win for patient families and physicians.

Patient families can:

Receive quality service offerings and efficient response time, no matter where you are located.
Avoid the stress and expense of traveling.
Save time and avoid missing school and work days.

Physicians have 24/7 access to:

Pediatric subspecialist consults
Emergency care consults
Complex multi-specialty team consultations
Second opinions
Remote reading of diagnostic tests

Virtual lactation consultation program

When caring for a newborn, it is important to have support for successful breast-feeding and nutrition. Cook Children's now offers that to you and your baby when and where you need it: in the comfort of your home.

You can connect to a certified lactation consultant via a private, secure video connection from your home laptop, tablet or mobile device. After your video visit, the summary and care instructions will be available to you via Cook Children's secure patient portal website. A copy of the visit summary also will be sent to your child's pediatrician for review.

Virtual lactation consultation program