There's No Such Thing as a Snow Day Working in Healthcare

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

The leadership team at Nevada Regional Medical Center has been meeting routinely to plan for the blizzard conditions. The team determined to close all "non-essential" (to patient care) departments of the hospital. Essential staff includes direct and indirect patient care employees such as: housekeeping, nutritional services, doctors and nurses.

"We have pulled together supplies and identified every available bed. Our staff is encouraged to stay at the hospital whenever possible," said Doug Hundley, Plant Operations Director and Safety Officer at NRMC.

Many of the essential staff has decided to stay at the hospital along with staff at the long-term care facilities. During inclement weather, the hospital leadership staff determines the necessary services that must stay open. Many outpatient services are closed in anticipation of low volumes.

"We try to serve as a role-model for other businesses by closing services and impressing the importance of safety," said Hundley.

Hospital leaders have closed all transportation vans, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Rural Health Clinics in Sheldon and Rich Hill, the NowCare Clinic, and Outpatient Rehabilitation at Performance Therapy for the day on Monday and many of the services will remain closed through Tuesday. For more information on hospital service closings, call 417-667-3355.

NRMC transportation vans will not run 2/2

NRMC Cardiac Rehab closed 2/2

The NowCare Clinic closed 2/2

Rich Hill Clinic closed 2/2

Sheldon Clinic closed 2/2

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