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Despite snow, healthcare employees make it to work?with some help

Emergency Management Alert, February 16, 2010

As the mid-Atlantic states suffered from two colossal snow storms within days of each other, many experts worried about staffing levels in hospitals and their ability to care for patients. But it seems many hospitals had planned help with transportation needs.

The Daily Courier reports that in Mt. Pleasant, PA, town officials with four-wheel drive vehicles helped provide transportation and two local hospitals, Highlands Hospital in Connellsville, PA, and Excela Health Frick in Mt. Pleasant, were able to stay open. Highlands Hospital also had their maintenance department help pick people up and taff that lived within walking distance also came in. Both facilities also had staff members who were willing to stay overnight and to work extra shifts if needed.

In New Jersey, local officials also helped with transportation needs, according to the Daily Journal. Hospitals within South Jersey Healthcare were able to stay open, thanks in part to its safety and security department, which partnered with several community agencies to transport employees. The partners included the Vineland, NJ, fire department, the Vineland and Millville offices of emergency management, the Vineland and Millville police departments, and the state police. Nearly 50 employees, including housekeepers, food service staff, nurses, physicians, and support personnel from other departments were provided with places to sleep in the hospital during the storm.

Sources: The Daily Courier and The Daily Journal

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