Freeman Severe Weather Patient Safety
By: Alisha Culbertson
Updated: March 5, 2013
JOPLIN, MO.--- Freeman Health System is preparing for severe weather. The tornado drill began at 1:30 today with the state tornado drill. Patients were told what would happen if severe weather strikes and then walked through the steps with a nurse.
"They're talking with the patients about if the weather gets severe, we're going to close the blinds, and move our patients out of the room into the hallways into the interior most rooms," states Skip Harper, Freeman Health Safety Officer.
Employees say when it comes to emergencies, it is important for everyone to be on the same page.
"We're going to be looking at how our staff responds to the event, taking care of our patients, evacuating patients and seeing how our notification system work during an actual event," says Harper.
Safety officers say communication with the patients and their loved ones helps when dealing with severe weather.
"When we know severe weather is coming a couple of days ahead of time, we'll talk to the families and let them know what our plans is. We talk to our visitors, our staff and patients. Everyone should have knowledge on what to do when an event happens," says Harper.
Safety officials say teamwork is important in emergency situations like severe weather. Hospital officials add this time they're focused on tornados. They have also trained for everything from blizzards to what to do if the hospital is flooded.
"They're talking with the patients about if the weather gets severe, we're going to close the blinds, and move our patients out of the room into the hallways into the interior most rooms," states Skip Harper, Freeman Health Safety Officer.
Employees say when it comes to emergencies, it is important for everyone to be on the same page.
"We're going to be looking at how our staff responds to the event, taking care of our patients, evacuating patients and seeing how our notification system work during an actual event," says Harper.
Safety officers say communication with the patients and their loved ones helps when dealing with severe weather.
"When we know severe weather is coming a couple of days ahead of time, we'll talk to the families and let them know what our plans is. We talk to our visitors, our staff and patients. Everyone should have knowledge on what to do when an event happens," says Harper.
Safety officials say teamwork is important in emergency situations like severe weather. Hospital officials add this time they're focused on tornados. They have also trained for everything from blizzards to what to do if the hospital is flooded.
