Hospital Says Care Must Continue, Whatever The Weather
DETROIT (WWJ) - The Oakwood-Annapolis Healthcare System is taking steps to ensure that patient care doesn't suffer as a result of the snow storm.
Patient Care Services Director, Diane Hartley, says it's essential for hospital staff to be on the job to meet their patients' needs.
"We have made arrangements with our Oakwood vehicles and also volunteer vehicles to pick up staff - if that's appropriate - and then also we have put a temporary child care center together if that's the issue of why our staff can't come in to care for our patients," Hartley said.
Hartley says the hospital needs to be staffed 24-7, no matter how bad the weather may get.
"We have had our dietary people, they'll be spending the night to have food available should that be necessary and we've arranged for sleep quarters, for male and femails, in some of our non-used areas of the hospital during the evening," she said.
Hartley says the response from employees has been positive, with numerous employees who work in non-patient care departments volunteering to help out.
A possible foot of snow could fall on Metro Detroit by end-of-the-day Wednesday. A Blizzard Warning is in effect through 7 p.m. Stay with WWJ for the latest during Traffic and Weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s.
