Welcome to Jefferson Regional Medical Center

WEATHER DISASTER PLAN

It is the policy of this hospital to maintain the safest environment that is possible during a weather disaster. A weather disaster includes severe thunderstorms, rainstorms, hard winds or tornadoes which develop to the degree that emergency actions must be instituted by facility personnel.

Definitions:

Gray Alert: The facility is under a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado watch. The
conditions for the development of either are good.

Black Alert: The facilities are under a tornado warning. This means that a tornado has
                        been spotted, or has been indicated by the National Weather radar and is in
                        close proximity and/or is on a course towards the facilities.

SECTION 2: PROCEDURE

A. Notification:

1. By the National Weather Service, via an in house weather radio located at the operators desk, indicating that the facilities may be effected by the approaching weather conditions.

2. By the Security Officers visually identifying dangerous weather conditions.

B. Activation:

1. The Nursing Shift Supervisor shall initiate a gray alert or black alert based on any information they perceive as valid.

2. When the operator has been advised of the activation,  the operator will make the following announcement via the overhead paging system. “Your attention please, your attention please; we are under a gray / black alert”. Pause and repeat.

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JEFFERSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
POLICY/PROCEDURE

SUBJECT:  WEATHER DISASTER PLAN
_____________________________________________________________________________SECTION 2:  PROCEDURE (CONTINUED)

3. The operator will contact the following facilities and persons to advise them we are
      under a weather alert.

a. Crystal Oaks Complex; residential care, skill nursing facility, day care.
b. DeSoto Clinic (days only)
c. Hillsboro Clinic (days only)
d. Home Health (days only)
e. Festus Mental Health Consultants (days only)

4. For Black Alerts only, the operator will seize control of the outside telephone lines and
      make them available for hospital personnel use.

C. Personnel Duties:

1. Gray Alerts;

Ancillary Department Supervisors - Instruct personnel to,

a. Remove patients and personnel from dangerous locations.(I.e. exterior hallways) Return patients to their assigned room when possible.
                            b.   Standby for further instructions.

Nursing Departments Supervisors - Instruct personnel to,

                            a.  Close drapes in patients' rooms.
                            b.  Lower beds and place blankets on each bed.
                            c.  Prepare patients for possible evacuation to corridors; slippers, robes, I.D.
    bracelets, etc. Obtain O2 extension tubing (from equipment room) if needed.
d. Check patient roster and personnel sheets for accuracy. Remain calm and
      prevent unduly alarming  patients, visitors and employees.
     e. Security shall be responsible to watch the storm for possible intensification.

2. Black Alerts;

Ancillary Department Supervisors - Instruct personnel to,

a. Move patients, visitors and personnel away from windows and into corridors and / or areas of safety.
b. Close doors to patients' rooms to prevent injury from glass.

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JEFFERSON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
POLICY/PROCEDURE

SUBJECT:  WEATHER DISASTER PLAN
_____________________________________________________________________________SECTION 2:  PROCEDURE (CONTINUED)

c. Reduce scheduled functions as quickly as possible.
d. Assign personnel to obtain flashlights.
e. Prepare to place an evacuation plan into effect and/ or to assist other departments.
f. Standby for further instructions.

Nursing Department Supervisors - Assign personnel to the following task,

a. Evacuate ambulatory patients to corridor and seat them on chairs. (All patients should have a robe, slipper and blanket in the event further evacuation is necessary.)
b. Patients who are unable to walk are to be moved in their beds into the corridor, EXCEPT in ICU; draw drapes and cover patient with blankets. Overbed table may be used above the patients head.
c. Obtain flashlights & check for readiness for possible evacuation.
d. Know fire extinguisher locations.
e. Prepare to place an evacuation plan into effect. Secure a patient roster and personnel assignment sheet.
f. Standby for further instructions from administration or nursing shift supervisor.

* Pulmonary Med. Department personnel will make rounds and turn off oxygen and gas valves
     where appropriate.

D. Termination of the Weather Disaster Plan:

1. When the Nursing Shift Supervisor feels that the weather situation
      no longer constitutes a threat, then they shall terminate the weather disaster plan by
      contacting the switchboard operator and advising them to make an all clear
      announcement.

2. The operator will announce via the overhead paging system:
       “Your attention please, your attention please: the gray / black alert has been lifted.”
       Pause and repeat announcement.

US Patent Numbers 7,720,998 B2, 7,836,207