Time to review our hurricane plan
Act now to make your storm plan, remembering that the hospitals cannot accommodate families or pets of employees during a severe weather event.
As we enter another hurricane season, USA Health employees are asked to review our roles in responding to tropical weather events. If severe weather threatens, all USA Health hospital employees will be expected to be available for work, may be required to report to work regardless of their previous work schedule, and may be required to stay at the hospital for extended periods of time.
Hospital staffing and patient safety are the primary concerns when a threat is imminent. Be familiar with the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for Children’s & Women’s Hospital and University Hospital. If our EOP is activated, employees can expect to be recalled to the hospital. Any exception from recall must be approved by the hospital administrator.
Go ahead and make a plan for the care of your family for up to four days in case you are called to work during a storm. Our hospitals cannot accommodate family members or pets of employees.
USA Health uses Everbridge to send emergency alerts via text message and email. To ensure you receive notifications, please make sure your contact information is up to date in PAWS. You also can opt-in by texting USAHEALTH to 888777. Prior to and throughout a severe weather event, each employee is expected to maintain contact with their department head or a designee.
When reporting to work, each employee should bring the following from home:
- Hospital ID badge (to pass checkpoints and access the hospital)
- Clothes (three changes of outer- and under-clothing)
- Contact lenses/solutions/glasses
- Personal hygiene items
- Hand sanitizer, first-aid kit and antibacterial wipes
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medications, as needed
- Sleeping bag
- Air mattress
- Phone charger
- Pillow, blanket, towels, washcloths, bed linens (Hospital linens will be for patients only.)
- Water, soft drinks, personal ice chest with ice, personal refill cup
- Four days of snacks, easy-to-prepare food, canned food (nonperishables), manual can opener
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Portable radio, weather radio and extra batteries
- Games and magazines
- Personal fan
- Cash in small bills — $1s and $5s.
In addition:
- Load cash on your hospital ID badge for cafeteria meals.
- Fill your gas tank full prior to the storm in case of a gas shortage.
- Carpool as much as possible.
