inclement weather

[happy in NH]

Here in NH we are getting a HUGE snow storm, yet again. Wondering how other agencies determine when to pull home care off the roads. I have children in grade school who are too young to stay home alone. My Husband and I "take turns" staying home when the kids are sick or school is cancelled. Of course I stress/worry about calling out of work but if it is a blizzard.... Just hoping to get some feedback.

[Carlyjo]

A good company will pull their field staff from the roads when driving conditions become hazardous-and hazardous means different things at times for different parts of the country. For example, a flood out west or 1 inch of snow in places that only receive this type of weather a few times per year. Those that don't are only concerned about the profit, and obviously have never faced litigation from employees whom they demand be out in unsafe driveways, back-roads, etc. Reporting for work and staying at one place until the shift is over is one thing-being forced to drive all day 6-8hours on unknown roads is another.

[caliotter3]

Bad weather conditions is one reason I won't consider relocating to a state that has bad conditions in winter. The weather where I am is bad enough to drive in sometimes.

[Willow Moonsidhe]

My company never shuts down. I was stick on ice for over an hour today. Slipped and slid all over the place.

~Willow

[CloudySue]

Agencies I've worked at rank the cases' priority 1, 2, and 3. The 2's and 3's would be ok without a nurse, having a reliable caregiver in the event of bad weather or other emergency. Priority 1 are the vents and other most intense cases. Some nurses are more flexible than others in availability, personal responsibilities, reliable transportation, etc. So hopefully they can pull the most available nurses off other cases to cover the most urgent ones. If someone is going into home health care, that person does need to decide how they are going to be reliable to their employer and their cases, at least most of the time. One way of doing this is to try and have or have access to an all wheel drive vehicle. I have a Subaru and I cannot say enough good things about it. Last week I drove in 9 inches of unplowed snow like it was nothing. Driving in snow is not as horrific as some would make it. A couple of inches isn't that bad. It can be done, just take it slow. Fortunately, there will be enough scared souls hiding at home for the roads to be less congested and easier to handle. Now, if it were straight ice on the roads, forget it. Trying to go anywhere on ice is foolhardy. That I will not do for any job.

[systoly]

My agency informs all new admissions of it's policy to provide for staff safety and may not be able to provide staffing under certain weather conditions.