Ballad Health prepares for winter weather

Ballad Health hospitals plan on being fully staffed and able to care for patients through this weekend's predicted winter storm, a health system official said in a Wednesday meeting with media. Chief Nursing Executive Dr. Lisa Smithgall said facilities are preparing with emergency backup systems in case of power outages, accommodations for patients and staff, available trauma teams and extra on-call capacity. "We would be able to provide care as we do on any other day of the year," during an outage or other emergency situation, she said. Smithgall advised Ballad patients on home oxygen or other medical therapies to ensure they're stocked on supplies before the weekend, as there may be a supply delay after the storm. She added that announcements and updates on any facility closures will be posted to the website and communicated to staff as they happen. The health system is also prepared to accommodate patients as necessary, including those who might be discharged but not able to leave due to weather. Management has already contacted staff scheduled to work Saturday, Sunday and Monday to make arrangements for transportation and those who may need to stay in between shifts. "We also always have some providers and individuals and other team members with four-wheel drive vehicles," Smithgall said, adding that transportation can be individualized based on need. "We sometimes go out and pick them up." Hospital engineering teams will keep building areas salted and cleared so sidewalks and parking lots are navigable. Smithgall added that Ballad will work with ambulance crews if patients need transportation. If flying is an issue because of the weather, the system will rely on ground transport. "Certainly we'll evaluate road conditions and work with our trauma in-the-field experts as they bring those patients to us," she said. The executive emphasized that Ballad will continue to provide care through any storm. "We want to make sure family members have that trust in us and don't necessarily put themselves at risk to travel," Smithgall said. "We will be taking care of their patients while they're here."