RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Local hospitals are getting ready for whatever comes their way during the storm. Today 8News spoke with representatives of all three area health systems.
HCA Virginia Health System invited 8News inside what will be the incident command center at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. Today leaders from several departments met to make sure supplies like blood are fully stocked and everything from generators to snow blowers are ready to go for patients and staff.
Chief Operating Officer David Donaldson says workers will stay at nearby hotels or spend the night.
“If a patient presents to our emergency department, they’re here to immediately take care of that patient and we don’t have any delays with people getting into the facility.”
VCU Medical Center is the area’s only Level I Trauma Center. It will be fully staffed over the next few days, and there are enough supplies to get through this State of Emergency. Arrangements have been made for staffers to stay on the grounds around the clock if necessary, and the hospital will open a command center if the snow creates enough of a threat.
Dr. Stephen Miller, an Emergency Department physician at VCU, explains the hospital holds drills throughout the year to help provide patient care in this type of scenario.
“We are here to serve them and for anything that could potentially happen. We are 100% business as usual. This is what we do.”
Bon Secours Richmond Health System leaders have been working with staff on solid communication plans and how everyone will get to work. There are designated areas for staff if they need to spend the night at their hospitals. The hospital system has also talked with all vendors to make sure there are adequate supplies, food and more.
Spokesperson Judy Heilman says these preparations are part of the ongoing mission to “provide right help, in the right place at the right time.”
