Need all of your input before possibly my last shift here today:
My hospital is about 4-5 blocks from the gulf and right in the path of Rita which is currently 170-175 mph winds.
They keep reporting on TV how the hospitals here are evacuating which they are, our last patient was air lifted out last night.
But...they are making us stay here and ride it out for the stragglers who didn't follow the mandatory evacuation.
We have absolutely no patients in this hospital but they refuse to close it and are keeping our ER open which consequently means that we need OR, ICU, etc. beds open as well.
The storm surge is expected to be quite high.
I'm thinking of leaving here today after my shift is over and evacuating and will probably get fired.
God bless everyone in the path of this horrible hurricane. i can NOT believe they would put anyone in harms way when the mayor herself said "if you stay your on your own" I'm a med tech but wish to be a nurse soon and i have asked myself (even though i live in the mid west) what would i do?? and i dont believe anyone can answer truthfully unless they were there its a very difficult question but it would be very hard for me to stay KNOWING the risk i was taking and KNOWING there were no patients there and KNOWING what just happen in n.o . Health care workers are humans to and they need to protect themselves so they will be able to protect others in my opinon God bless and best of luck i will be praying for all of you
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
You are correct, you do not get it and I do not mean this in an insulting manner. Mandatory evacuation, is mandatory only in respect that people should evacuate. However, the police do not have the manpower to physicially force anyone from their home. Nor will they. So, while Galvestan Island is basically deserted, there are more then likely any where for 500 to several thousand people, besides police, still in their homes and businesses. They stay at their own risk but once the hurricane has passed thru, anyone who is injuried or becomes ill will need ER treatment. And as I posted earlier, unless the CEO has current medical or nurses training, what use would they be?
Can you imagine Mass General closing down and totally evacuating every patient. And leaving the facility empty?? I can't and I know Mass General. And I know Boston, having lived and visited Littleton. And you don't think a hurricane can strike your neck of the woods? Find someone who remembers the hurricane the hit Mass, in the mid50s. Ask them about the wind and rain damage left by that hurricane. I remember it because I was living in Littleton, at the time.
Grannynurse :balloons:
You said it on the nose "They stay at their own risk" If you Kill or injure all your emergency personel waiting in an empty hospital then what???? I believe the Captain should go down with his ship if he orders everyone to stay then he should lead by example. It is very easy to command from a distance. But I believe the head guy still needs to be in charge. I went to work the day the blizzard turned into a hurricane with snow this past winter. We organized SUV's Police and snowmobiles to procure staff. I utilized the nation guard humve to get medicines to gloucester. It took me 6 hours to get there which is usually a 30 minuete commute...I get it BUt we had patients to care for....as the administrative supervisor I felt it imperative to get there for the patients.....but if there were no Patients I wpuld wait for the storm to abate then return to care for the incomming. I am not saying that no one can stay but only as a volunteer. You cannot mandate someone to risk their life!!!! I live in westford and travel to the North shore and yes if they evacuate the general or the Brigham trust me, first of all the union would step in as there is no manditory overtime and not allow thier members to be placed in danger. Second , sure a voluntary skeletal crew may be there but care would be rendered at Lahey...No power no food no lights... the outlying burbs would need help and that's where the esxtra staff should be helping. when the storms dies down it's triage and transfer!!!! The general would be a mash unit and Lahey provider! Don't be so foolish.....I have worked at hospital outside chicago where F5 tornadoes throw cars into the building... I have used my dog to search many disasters b ut if the building is empty get out and come back of offer you staff to the facility that will be recieving OUTSIDE THE DISASTER AREA. If you lose valuable staff as the building is destroyed now you have no one to care for those "stragglers. As they eventually did in New Orleans.
But if the fire department is gone who will find them and bring them to the empty facility.?! The prudent thing is to offer staff to hospital that will be inindated with wounded to provide extra staff. Then return to staff what ever is left of the building to treat and transfer. NO disrespect but have you ever been faced with manning an empty hospital while your small children are elsewhere? I still believe it should be VOLUNTARY as someone will!! and the rest GET OUT and then come back! As i stated earlier I don't want my epitath to be she was decated to her hospital and left her children motherless
I want Loving mother adoring dsaughter beloved wife..... oh and by the way she was a good nurse. I have been involved in search and rescue and trauma flight I get the risk...but I have other responsibilities that are a priorty
especially when the hospital was evacuated and is empty. Boston
How many upper management are there...all the supervisors, etc? I bet not....I say get the Hell outta Dodge!
Grannynurse....If there isn't even EMS, etc...I guess you don't have to worry about them bringing in injured...there isn't anyone to do that! Sorry, I am responsible for me, myself and I and they all would be telling me to hoof it. As for the people that stay....they are staying at their own risk, employees, residents, whathaveyou, so what happens to them, well, they know the risks.
I just saw on Good Morning America that they are keeping UTMB hospital on Galveston open with a skeleton crew of about 50. They are all volunteers. The doc in charge said no one is being forced to stay. They have evacuated all of their patients.
If this is the OP's hospital, maybe he/she did not volunteer and left.
Info Group One is mainly used in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area. It is not used by many Texas facilities outside DFW. Yes they are EVIL!
How many upper management are there...all the supervisors, etc? I bet not....I say get the Hell outta Dodge!
Grannynurse....If there isn't even EMS, etc...I guess you don't have to worry about them bringing in injured...there isn't anyone to do that! Sorry, I am responsible for me, myself and I and they all would be telling me to hoof it. As for the people that stay....they are staying at their own risk, employees, residents, whathaveyou, so what happens to them, well, they know the risks.
I finally realize what is upsetting me most, everyone's attitude. You have hit the nail squarely on the head, it is everyone for themselves. And by the way, the Fire Department has not left Galvestan, at least not according to the mayor, who is remaining as well. I guess that is what is the difference between my generation and the current ones, most of us felt an obligation to our fellowman and a commitment to our profession. My take, on the current commitment and sense of obligation is only if it doesn't endanger me.
I really question the risk, having worked with the insurance industry. I'm sure risk management, of the facilities involved, was in on the decision as to who stays, who goes, the risk to the building, etc, etc, etc. No facility is going to risk the possibility of lawsuits, especially with the advance knowledge of the dangers. The facility is not mandating the entire staff stay, only essential personnel. The hospitals in my county mandated the same. Had the two not lost their roofs, they would have been open to receive me, immediately after EMS was allowed back on the roads. And for them, the North Port Fire Department and the staff of Venice Hospital, I am extremely grateful. I did not plan on having an asthma attack. I had taken my medications. I had used my rescue inhaler. I needed help. Thankfully, EMS and the ER was there for me and others. As it was, four days later I was taken to my ER, treated, stablized and transported to the Cardiac Unit of Sarasota Memorial. As, in New Orleans, despite the damage suffered by the staff, to their homes, they came into work.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
FYI: Group One is not used Texas wide. It is mainly used in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It is used for a very small percentage of places outside that area. I would not use this as a reason to stay.
With that said, LEAVE! I was put on a 24 hour call this afternoon at 3 and it is a good possibility that will be re-upped tomorrow. I am a weekend ER day shift RN and would not be surprised to receive an increase in EMS traffic through our small ER as the larger hospitals have taken patients from the Galveston/Houston area. I say bring em' on so that those healthcare workers in the direct hit zone can flee to safety. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
I looked up this group one.....I question it's legality as an employer can only release start date, end date, they are not allowed by FEDERAL LAW to release any further information unless you sign to allow them....I saw it is used at all Baylor facilities and them some...I am in management now and I tell you....doesn't sound right to me call your local EEOC or NLRB ....boston
I looked up this group one.....I question it's legality as an employer can only release start date, end date, they are not allowed by FEDERAL LAW to release any further information unless you sign to allow them....I saw it is used at all Baylor facilities and them some...I am in management now and I tell you....doesn't sound right to me call your local EEOC or NLRB ....boston
Unfortunatly it is legal. The way they get around it is that Group One is considered a "reporting agency" much like a credit agency. When you sign the sheet required now by most employers saying that you give them the OK to obtain background and credit info you are allowing them to legaly obtain info from Group One.
I finally realize what is upsetting me most, everyone's attitude. You have hit the nail squarely on the head, it is everyone for themselves. And by the way, the Fire Department has not left Galvestan, at least not according to the mayor, who is remaining as well. I guess that is what is the difference between my generation and the current ones, most of us felt an obligation to our fellowman and a commitment to our profession. My take, on the current commitment and sense of obligation is only if it doesn't endanger me.
I really question the risk, having worked with the insurance industry. I'm sure risk management, of the facilities involved, was in on the decision as to who stays, who goes, the risk to the building, etc, etc, etc. No facility is going to risk the possibility of lawsuits, especially with the advance knowledge of the dangers. The facility is not mandating the entire staff stay, only essential personnel. The hospitals in my county mandated the same. Had the two not lost their roofs, they would have been open to receive me, immediately after EMS was allowed back on the roads. And for them, the North Port Fire Department and the staff of Venice Hospital, I am extremely grateful. I did not plan on having an asthma attack. I had taken my medications. I had used my rescue inhaler. I needed help. Thankfully, EMS and the ER was there for me and others. As it was, four days later I was taken to my ER, treated, stablized and transported to the Cardiac Unit of Sarasota Memorial. As, in New Orleans, despite the damage suffered by the staff, to their homes, they came into work.
Grannynurse
UHHHHHH YAH, WHATEVER.
After reading this post and being from the generation in which you are speaking down upon, I will respectfully keep my comments of disagreement to myself.
After reading this post and being from the generation in which you are speaking down upon, I will respectfully keep my comments of disagreement to myself.
:yeahthat:
it's not fair to speak on behalf of other people, age doesn't matter when it comes to commitment.
I believe the Captain should go down with his ship if he orders everyone to stay then he should lead by example. It is very easy to command from a distance. But I believe the head guy still needs to be in charge. I went to work the day the blizzard turned into a hurricane with snow this past winter. We organized SUV's Police and snowmobiles to procure staff. I utilized the nation guard humve to get medicines to gloucester. It took me 6 hours to get there which is usually a 30 minuete commute...I get it BUt we had patients to care for....as the administrative supervisor I felt it imperative to get there for the patients.....but if there were no Patients 
tiffanycmt
75 Posts
God bless everyone in the path of this horrible hurricane. i can NOT believe they would put anyone in harms way when the mayor herself said "if you stay your on your own" I'm a med tech but wish to be a nurse soon and i have asked myself (even though i live in the mid west) what would i do?? and i dont believe anyone can answer truthfully unless they were there its a very difficult question but it would be very hard for me to stay KNOWING the risk i was taking and KNOWING there were no patients there and KNOWING what just happen in n.o . Health care workers are humans to and they need to protect themselves so they will be able to protect others in my opinon God bless and best of luck i will be praying for all of you