As Hurricane Laura gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico and set its sights on landing as a Category 4 hurricane somewhere along the Texas/Louisiana coastline, Texas Children’s employees assigned to ride-out the storm at one of our three hospital campuses packed their bags and headed to their designated areas.
Just like they did three years ago when Hurricane Harvey was upon us and in years past when other storms were headed our way, they showed up to help take care of our patients and their families, even during a potential storm.
This year, with the COVID-19 pandemic still in our midst, there were additional concerns to tend to and plan for, but that didn’t deter anyone from showing up ready to carry out Texas Children’s mission of caring for children and women no matter what, under good circumstances and trying ones, too.
“Everyone’s attitude has been perfect,” said Susana De La Torre, whose job was to help direct people to and from their assigned sleeping quarters in Mark A. Wallace Tower. “No one has had anything negative to say.”
When leaders decided to active the organization’s ride-out team on August 26, the path of Hurricane Laura was still fluctuating with some forecasts pointing it right at Houston. Fortunately for our region, the storm ended up tracking east sparing us from the severe damage it dealt our neighbors. Nevertheless, we were prepared for the worst even during a pandemic.
To keep everyone safe while riding out the storm, everyone was required to adhere to all COVID-19 precautions and protocols, including screening upon arrival and every 24 hours thereafter, masking, socially-distant sleep accommodations, and dedicated areas for employees who begin to experience COVID-19 symptoms.
Employee Health was available throughout the ride-out if an individual exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 to help isolate them, monitor their symptoms, provide medical assistance and assess the need for COVID-19 testing. Had an employee’s medical condition required a higher level of care, there was a medical team on standby and our Employee Medical Clinic Physician was also available.
The departments of Organizational Resilience, Infection Control, Facilities and the Incident Command Planning Section worked on these plans for months and were prepared to implement them prior to everyone’s arrival.
Burt Gumeringer, senior vice president of facilities and operations, said leaders have been thinking for months about what it would look like to have employees come into the hospital and ride out a hurricane during a pandemic.
“Our primary concern was protecting our staff,” Gumeringer said. “The two main things we knew we had to change were sleeping arrangements and screening.”
Sleeping arrangements were made so that people were socially distant and a policy stating that employees on ride out had to be screened every 24 hours even if they didn’t leave the building was put into place.
Dr. Brent Kaziny, medical director of Emergency Management, said Texas Children’s has a duty to provide services to our patients and families during events such as these.
“In order to do that, we need to make sure our home is in order and that our families are in good hands so that we can come to the hospital and do what we need to do for those we serve,” Kaziny said. “Being prepared is of upmost importance.”
Hurricane season is not over yet. It won’t come to a close until November 30. So, we all have to stay vigilant and aware of storms brewing in the Atlantic. Pay close attention to local media reports concerning weather conditions and make sure you stay up to date with Texas Children’s Emergency Management communications. These are sent via texts, phone calls and emails through the Texas Children’s Notification System. Please make sure to update your personal information in MOLI with your current mobile phone number so you receive all messages in a timely manner. Here are the instructions for updating your information in MOLI.