Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions

Talk to your MD Anderson care team about your upcoming appointment or procedure. Every situation is different. Decisions about whether to reschedule your care should be made in consultation with your MD Anderson care team.

We’re taking steps help keep our patients safe and lower the risk of the COVID-19.

• If you have fever, cough or shortness of breath, contact your care team before your appointment.
• To reduce the spread of infection, MD Anderson will no longer allow visitors to accompany adult patients until further notice, with limited exceptions. For more details, please review our COVID-19 information page.
• We are increasing the number of video visits, as appropriate, to limit your exposures and travel. These are being scheduled in place of in-person visits for your safety and convenience. Get your questions answered about virtual visits.

Please plan to arrive to your appointment 15 minutes earlier than usual to be able to park and allow time for screening prior to entering the building.

Public safety officers at building entry points will ask patients a few questions related to symptoms, contact with someone who has had a suspected case or confirmed case of COVID-19, recent travel and if they have been tested for COVID-19. Patients will receive directions based on how they answer those questions. 

We no longer allow visitors to accompany adult patients until further notice, with limited exceptions. For more details, please review our COVID-19 information page.

Employees at the building entry points will try to encourage everyone to spread out as much as possible while waiting.

COVID-19 is spread through direct contact with someone who has the virus, by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching one’s eyes, nose or mouth, or by inhaling the tiny moisture droplets that are exhaled, sneezed or coughed into the air by someone who has the virus. Read these tips to help protect you and your loved ones from COVID-19 and other contagious diseases.

There are many testing sites available in the Houston area for caregivers. We recommend you talk to your family doctor for advice. You also can get information online HoustonEmergency.org/COVID19 or call 832-393-4220 for local testing information. Be sure to ask if there is a cost for testing and how long it will take to receive the test results.

Decisions about whether to travel to MD Anderson for your care should be made with your MD Anderson care team. In addition, you should check in with your local provider, if you have one.

We are increasing the number of video visits, as appropriate, to limit your exposures and travel. These are being scheduled in place of in-person visits for your safety and convenience. Get your questions answered about virtual visits.

Research shows that older adults, cancer survivors, and those with weakened immune systems or serious medical conditions are uniquely vulnerable to COVID-19.  You may also wish to review the guidance provided by the CDC regarding special considerations for higher risk populations, including recommendations to avoid sick people, crowds, and non-essential air travel.

We no longer allow visitors on any of our campuses.

There will be special instances when a patient needs one adult caregiver to assist them. This caregiver must be physically able to assist the patient, be able to care for themselves and wait on their own, either outside the facility or in a waiting area, and pass screening questions. Caregivers who meet exception criteria will receive a white wristband and mask during entry-point screening. Due to safety concerns, patients and caregivers who meet exception criteria should not bring anyone with them to an appointment. This includes children and adults who are unable to care for or move themselves. Appointments will be rescheduled if a patient or caregiver arrives with someone who is dependent upon them.

Limited exceptions for outpatient care include: pediatric patients, and adult patients with neurocognitive issues, functional physical limitations, and/or who are unable to consent for themselves.

Limited exceptions for inpatient care: Pediatric patients; CAR-T and Stem Cell patients; imminent end-of-life patients based on the clinical team’s assessment; patients with cognitive and physical frailties as submitted by attending physician and nursing.

Inpatient caregivers authorized to remain must be willing to participate in daily verbal screenings for COVID-19, including temperature checks, wear a face mask at all times and keep a constant presence.

For more details, please review our COVID-19 information page.

Three cell phone lots will allow patients’ loved ones to remain on campus nearby while they await for patient discharge. This will be offered at no cost. They may only use these cell phone lots for short-term waiting. All TMC parking facilities have a 20-minute free grace period.

We have created respite areas for caregivers to sit inside and have access to restrooms. They are located at the Main Building's Pavilion and Aquarium screening areas, as well as the Mays Clinic screening area.

For more details, visit our drop-off and pick-up information page.

We have created respite areas for caregivers to sit inside and have access to restrooms. They are located at the Main Building's Pavilion and Aquarium screening areas, as well as the Mays Clinic screening area.

In addition, portable restrooms are available in our cell phone lots.

For more details, visit our drop-off and pick-up information page.

Family members may drop off items such as toiletries, clothing and personal items, as well as food, to be delivered to a patient’s room. Items may be dropped off in the Main Building Aquarium entrance between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week.

A table staffed by employees will accept and deliver items. Items should be clearly labeled with the patient’s name, cell phone number if available, inpatient unit and patient room number. An employee will deliver the items to the PSC desk at the inpatient unit and nursing unit staff will bring item(s) to the patient.

Yes, MD Anderson is open for patient care appointments. Patients and caregivers with questions or concerns should contact your care team via MyChart message or phone call. Outside of business hours, please call: 1-877-564-1202.

We actively are monitoring for COVID-19 to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors and staff. Some of the precautions implemented by MD Anderson include:

• Screening patients and visitors for possible COVID-19 infection.
• We no longer allow visitors until further notice, with limited exceptions. For more details, please review our COVID-19 information page.
• Our clinical teams are working with patients to determine appropriate options for care, whether that means delaying their appointment, virtual visits, local care coordination or traveling to MD Anderson for appointments and treatment. 
• Cancelling all business travel, domestic and international, for faculty and staff until further notice.
• Asking employees to register their personal out-of-state travel with Employee Health and complete COVID-19 testing prior to returning to work.
  
• Providing face masks at all entrance points for everyone who enters our campus.
• Limiting work gatherings and meetings to no more than 5 people with a minimum of 6 feet of distance between participants.
  
• Limiting the number of people in elevators in alignment with our guidelines for 4 or fewer people in an area.
  
• Our Hospitality Centers, The Learning Center and the Patient Relaxation Area have all closed to reduce the potential for people gathering in close quarters.
  
• For patients, our skybridge shuttles are limiting each cart to 4 riders. 
  

Socially distanced seating for patients is now available in select dining areas at our Texas Medical Center campus.

• Café Anderson in the Main Building, Floor 1, near The Aquarium entrance
• Waterfall Café in Mays Clinic, Floor 2, near The Tree Sculpture
• Apicius Restaurant in the Rotary House Hotel, Floor 2

To ensure safety, infection control and social distancing protocols will still be in place.

• Hand sanitizer is placed at entrance, exit and throughout the seating area.
• Dedicated staff monitor capacity, seating and ensure tables and chairs are sanitized between each use.
• Tables are spaced 12 feet apart. 
• Diners face away from each other when at different tables.
• Single-chair tables are available.
• Staff will join tables together for patients who want to eat with their personal caregivers.
  

MD Anderson has closed several areas to comply with CDC guidelines encouraging people to stay 6 feet away from others. Those areas include Hospitality Centers, the Patient Relaxation Area, the Beauty/Barber shop, The Learning Centers and Salus.

Socially distanced seating for patients is now available in select dining areas at our Texas Medical Center campus.

Patients are welcome to eat in public spaces, such as our lobbies and reception areas, while keeping a safe distance of 6 feet away from others. Follow the federal guidelines and limit all gatherings to 10 or fewer people.

The Learning Center staff can answer your questions, conduct research and assist you to find answers by email. Contact us at asktlcstaff@mdanderson.org. You may also visit our website mdanderson.org/tlc. If you are seeking cancer health information, visit Recommended Resources at http://mdandersontlc.libguides.com/home. These online guides connect you to the information you need. Many of the booklets that you find in The Learning Center can be found on the Recommended Resources.
 

Given recent efforts to limit visitors on campus, we are canceling all in-person classes and support groups at our locations until further notice.

Online support groups: As families face the uncertainties of a cancer diagnosis and the COVID-19 pandemic, MD Anderson's Social Work department is hosting WebEx support groups for patients and caregivers. Learn more about these sessions an how to register on our support groups information site.

Online nutrition class

Clinical Nutrition will host virtual nutrition classes for patients undergoing active treatment. Classes will be held using WebEx on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 2 to 3 p.m. Central Daylight Time. One of our registered dietitians will teach the class, reviewing the basics of good nutrition and practical tips for issues many face during chemotherapy. To register, patients should email their names, dates of birth and medical record numbers to NutritionBasicsClass@mdanderson.org.

myCancerConnection

Practicing social distancing is one of the best ways to reduce the spread of infection but it makes it hard to connect with others. If you would like to talk to someone who’s had a similar diagnosis, treatment or cancer experience, our survivor volunteers are available to connect with you by phone. You can use MyChart to request a unique match with a survivor volunteer. Send the myCancerConnection team a message asking for support or if you would like to give someone else support. myCancerConnection is a cancer support community of trained survivor and caregiver volunteers that offers free support to patients, caregivers and survivors regardless of where they receive treatment. Learn more about myCancerConnection.
 

Volunteers are an important part of the MD Anderson community, and we are committed to their health and safety. Research shows that older adults, cancer survivors, and those with weakened immune systems or serious medical conditions are uniquely vulnerable to COVID-19. For their safety, all MD Anderson volunteer shifts are canceled until further notice. Some employees will be re-deployed to assist our patients until it is possible for volunteers to return.

No, guests of all ages are welcome at the Rotary House. However, we no longer allow visitors in clinical areas until further notice, with limited exceptions. For more details, please review our COVID-19 information page.

Due to our response to COVID-19, all blood donations at MD Anderson Blood Donor Center locations are being held by appointment only to help control donor flow and manage the amount of individuals in one room. We must also be cautious about accepting donors who may have traveled internationally. Therefore, anyone who has traveled outside of the U.S. in the past 14 days will not be able to donate.

It is safe to donate blood during this time. COVID-19 is not a bloodborne disease. It’s a respiratory virus, and there has been no evidence that COVID-19 could be transmitted or contracted through a blood donation or a blood transfusion. There is currently a critical need for blood donations. By rolling up your sleeves, you can help to ensure an adequate blood supply for our patients during this challenging time.

Learn more on our Blood Bank website.

We greatly appreciate the generosity of individuals in the community. At this time, we are not in need of fabric mask donations. Donations of N-95 masks, however, will be accepted if the package is unopened, the masks are unused and the brand is on the CDC approved list. KN95 masks may also be donated if the package is unopened and the masks are unused. Any donations will be inspected for safety and must meet MD Anderson’s infection control standards.

Mask donation offers should be directed to the Development Office at giving@mdanderson.org or 1-800-525-5841. Please do not drop off donations at any of our campuses as visitor restrictions are in place for the safety of patients and staff. Alternative ways to receive donations will be arranged.

Yes. MD Anderson can only accept individual meals or wrapped food. We cannot accept trays of food or buffet- and family-style meals. Pizza donations are allowed. Before donating meals or food, restaurants or community members should contact us by email.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. It has rapidly spread around the world since December 2019.

According to the CDC, the following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.*

• Fever greater than 100.4º F/38º C
• Coughing more than usual
• Shortness of breath more than usual
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• GI symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)

These symptoms vary and include many that are very similar to those associated with the flu or the common cold.

Because our patients are especially vulnerable to this and other infectious diseases, we’re asking employees and patients to practice social distancing. That means asking people to stay 6 feet away from others.

That said, social distancing is a luxury that health care providers, patients and caregivers may not have. That’s why it’s only one of many ways that we can prevent the spread of infection and keep patients and our workforce safe.

Nine ways to prevent the spread of infection:

1. Frequently wash hands. Use soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand gel for at least 20 seconds. If using hand sanitizer, allow it to dry. Do not wipe excess off. Always wash hands prior to eating or handling medication.
2. Cover your cough. Use your elbow or a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
3. Don’t touch your face. Refrain from touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
4. Clean high-touch surfaces and personal items such as cell phones, purses and backpacks frequently.
5. Wash clothes, including outerwear, frequently.
6. Limit physical contact with others. This means avoiding handshakes, hugs and other physical greetings. It’s hard, so if you forget and shake hands, go back to start and wash your hands.
7. Avoid crowded areas, when possible. Try to stay at least 6 feet away from others in lobbies, cafeterias and screening lines. 
8. Only go to essential places (e.g., grocery store or pharmacy) at non-peak times. Wipe down carts before use. 
9. Stay home when sick. This is the ultimate social distancing practice. That’s why we’re screening for potential exposure and symptoms at our reduced entrances.

Learn more at mdanderson.org/coronavirus or cdc.gov/COVID19.