March 9, 2001
How to run a major hospital during a snowstorm in three simple steps: 1. Be prepared. 2. Work together. 3. Hope the weather predictions are wrong.
It may not have been the Blizzard of '78, but Tuesday's winter blast was big enough to shut down much of Boston and the surrounding areas, leaving stores closed, roads blocked, grocery stores bare and schools empty. Yet nothing is big enough to stop the hustle and bustle at the MGH. It's at times like these that hospital staff team together to cooperate, coordinate and collaborate to ensure that the hospital runs like a well-oiled machine. As a 24-hour, 365-days-a-year operation, the MGH must provide services to patients even during the worst of weather.
Planning for this particular storm
began early Monday morning when Gov. Cellucci declared a state of emergency for the
commonwealth. A hospital snowstorm task force was convened, consisting of administrators
and managers, who reported every few hours to the "snowstorm operations center"
in the Trustees Room to discuss and coordinate staffing needs, supplies and logistics
throughout the course of the storm.
By the end of the business day Monday, the group had decided to close all ambulatory programs for Tuesday — including MGH health centers, Mass General West and on-campus outpatient practices. The same-day surgery schedule also was canceled to ensure capacity for emergency cases.
On Tuesday, with the storm pounding the North Shore and western part of the state, many MGHers who had access to public transportation braved the blustery winds and snowdrifts to make it to the hospital. Staff from key areas such as Patient Care Services, Police, Security and Parking, Emergency Services, Environmental Services, Materials Management, Nutrition and Food Services, Pharmacy, Transportation, Clinical Labs, Interpreter Services, Operating Rooms Administration, Telecommunications and Buildings and Grounds worked tirelessly throughout the storm.
"Employees who could make it in safely worked diligently to make sure the hospital still ran smoothly, despite the weather," says Jeff Davis, senior vice president for Human Resources. "This storm proved to be a good example of how dedicated our employees are — not only to our patients and their families, but also how committed they are to helping each other in times of need."
According to Theresa Gallivan, RN, associate chief of Nursing, the exceptional commitment of the Patient Care Services (PCS) staff helped inpatient units run smoothly. Nurse managers and supervisors made arrangements for 180 PCS staff to stay the night so that they could continue to care for patients. Because of the high acuity of patients and the 90 percent occupancy rate, the need to keep qualified staff in the hospital was crucial. Many nurses worked extra and double shifts so that patient beds could be kept open and access to care maintained. "This was just one more illustration of the tremendous sense of commitment and team spirit that is alive and well at the MGH," says Gallivan. "Everyone worked together to make sure patient care was not interrupted. Not only did PCS staff work hard, but getting support from departments like Environmental Services, Materials Management, Nutrition and Food Services and other areas also was important."
MGH ambassadors ready and waiting for the storm.
Bill Banchiere, director of Environmental Services, says he is proud of his staff for the work they did in supporting other departments during the storm. His staff coordinated obtaining extra beds, mattresses and linens for employees who stayed overnight and taking care of any other needs that MGHers had. "If our staff could make it in safely, they came in," says Banchiere. "They are very dedicated."
Greg Doyle, director of Buildings and Grounds, echoed that sentiment. "The Buildings and Grounds crews were working around the clock to shovel and salt the sidewalks and streets to make sure they were safe for patients, families and staff," he says. According to Doyle, approximately 11 acres of space at the hospital required complete snow removal.
Bonnie Michelman, director of Police and Security and Outside Services, reported that her departments also worked day and night to make sure employees had what they needed. Security and Parking made arrangements for MGH staff to park for free throughout the three-day storm, and the parking information and travel update phone lines were continuously updated.
Fortunately, the Emergency Department didn't see too many patients suffering from weather-related accidents. According to Charles McCabe, MD, associate chief of Emergency Services, a few patients came in with snow blower injuries, but there were no cardiac-related incidents because of shoveling heavy, wet snow. "We were well prepared for any emergencies," he says. "Many of our staff members stayed overnight, even two or three nights to make sure we had enough people. It shows what a personal commitment MGH employees have to this hospital."
During the course of the
three days, the mantra was improvisation. When supplies dwindled, employees
called other departments for spare materials. When looking for a place
to sleep, employees made up beds in vacant conference rooms and in available
clinical areas. When overnight staff needed simple essentials, such as
toothbrushes and toothpaste, the administrative fellows found extras from
patient care units.
At right, Nutrition and Food Services staff prepared for the storm.
And when MGHers needed a break, they were relieved to find that the Eat Street Café and Coffee Central were kept open. According to Susan Barraclough, MS, RD, of Nutrition and Food Services, extra food supplies had been delivered Monday, and staff were working double-time — 41 employees stayed the night — to make sure food was prepared for patients and employees. Dietary staff served more than 4,000 cups of coffee — 250 gallons — at no charge.
And through it all, every essential aspect of the hospital was kept running. Doctors and nurses cared for patients. Ambassadors and volunteers helped patients and visitors. Payroll employees stayed overnight to make sure paychecks were distributed on time. Shuttle drivers trekked through bad road conditions to maintain service.
"It is easy for people to blame the meteorologists because the storm wasn't as bad as they predicted, but their forecasts did give us time to prepare for what could have been a major crisis," says Kate Walsh, clinical vice president for Medicine and Cancer Care Services, and the administrator on-call during the storm. "It was gratifying to see how hard our employees worked to make sure our patients received the same high-quality care they always receive."