Patient & Visitor Safety
Last updated January 29, 2025
Get information about what you can do to stay safe while at MD Anderson.
Respiratory virus precautions
Viruses like the flu and the common cold can be a risk to cancer patients with weakened immune systems. To keep our patients safe, we regularly update our procedures based on best practices. This is especially important from October to March, when respiratory viruses are more common.
What you need to know before your visit:
- Patients should contact their care team before they arrive if they have fever, cough, shortness of breath or have had a positive COVID-19 test in the last 14 days. The care team will determine if your appointment should be rescheduled for after the 14-day isolation period. You may not be required to reschedule.
- Masking is an important way to reduce the spread of infection and protects patients. From October through March, everyone, including patients and their visitors, must wear MD Anderson-issued face masks in clinical areas. This includes in patient waiting rooms and during check-in. Expect members of your care team to wear masks while providing care. Masks are optional in public spaces and dining areas.
- All visitors and overnight caregivers should stay home if they have respiratory symptoms, a fever, or are feeling unwell. If symptoms develop while on campus, they should immediately go home to help prevent the spread of illness.
Read more about patient visitation and other policies to know what to expect before you arrive. If you have questions about our visitor policy, contact Patient Advocacy.
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Fall prevention
Patients may be at risk of falling if they feel tired, weak or sick from treatment. Here are ways you can help prevent falls:
- Wear comfortable clothing and supportive shoes to your visits. Wear shoes that are sturdy, cover your toes and heels, and have non-skid soles.
- Consider using a wheelchair or bringing a cane or walker to make your day easier.
- Ask your care team for help if you feel dizzy or unsteady.
- Avoid escalators.
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Security and emergencies
Assistance is available for both emergency and non-emergency requests.
In the event of fire or other emergency, call:
- 911
- 713-794-HELP (4357)
For non-emergency requests to The University of Texas Police, call 713-792-2890.
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Protecting your health information and identity
Sophisticated cyberattacks are more common than ever, and cancer patients are sometimes among the most vulnerable targets.
Use these tips from Cancerwise to protect your identity and health information.
- Never give out medical or financial details over the phone to strangers or telemarketers.
- Don’t trust urgent requests from unfamiliar sources.
- Closely review the sender’s address in emails and text messages. If you’re unsure, don’t click any links and call the company to ask about the interaction.
- Use strong, unique passwords and update your passwords regularly.
- Enable two-factor authentication on your personal devices.
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Weather emergencies
Here’s what you can expect from MD Anderson if there’s a storm or weather event approaching the Greater Houston area.
- The safety of our patients and employees is top priority: We don’t want patients or employees driving to MD Anderson when it's not safe to do so.
- Hospital operations continue, rain or shine. Trust that hospital patients will be well-cared for. Ahead of major weather events, care teams will review patient charts and discharge those who are stable and able to travel. We also ask select nurses, physicians, pharmacists, radiologists, technologists, food service workers and many others to stay until the storm passes. MD Anderson has back-up generators and water supply to keep inpatients comfortable and critical equipment running. We provide fresh bottled water for drinking. But MD Anderson is not a storm shelter. Due to limited resources and a reduced workforce, we will limit the number of caregivers allowed to board with patients at the hospital to one adult per patient in these situations.
- Watch for updates on MD Anderson’s website and institutional social media accounts.
- Check our Emergency Alert Information on MDAnderson.org.
- Follow MD Anderson on Instagram, Facebook and/or X (formerly Twitter).
- Log into MyChart for updates.
- Call 1-877-916-2485.
If we do have to close, delay or reschedule appointments, we will communicate and reschedule your appointments as quickly as we can. Keep in mind that when our area is impacted by a weather event, our team members may have challenges with power, internet, cell phone service, and safe access to MD Anderson and its resources. This could cause delays in things like answering phones, rescheduling appointments, and resuming normal operations.
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