Despite Snowstorm Jonas, Southside Hospital Remained Ready to Care for Its Community

While it was consistently and heavily snowing last Saturday and many were cleaning up in the aftermath of snowstorm Jonas on Sunday, Southside Hospital cared for 13 women before, during and after they brought new lives into the world. To Southside, Saturday was just any other day; it just so happened to be snowing outside. But in order for patients not to notice any disruption in service or care during a near record snowstorm, it took a great deal of planning from the hospital’s administration and staff.

Before the storm began, Northwell Health advised its staff to make the necessary provisions at their homes so that employees who would be working at the hospital during snowstorm Jonas could do so without worrying about their personal situations.

As weather forecasters were making it increasingly clear that this snowstorm would have a big impact on the Bay Shore area, Southside Hospital began planning and executing its emergency management plans which were created for natural disasters and have been utilized during occurrences such as Hurricane Sandy.

Southside’s staff stocked up on extra supplies and food to make sure all would be properly cared for during the snowstorm.

The hospital’s leadership began making provisions early in the week to ensure the necessary staff would be at the hospital to care for patients. This included creating an area for staff to sleep if they needed to stay over to make it to their scheduled shift or if they were unable to safely travel home on Saturday. Southside employees who slept at the hospital were given a free breakfast.

The employee cafeteria remained open all day Saturday and into Sunday to make sure people were well nourished.

Southside, along with all of the hospitals in Northwell Health, regularly updated emergency first responders and other hospitals about their status throughout the snowstorm through an electronic emergency management system. Southside also kept in contact with neighboring hospitals to remain a resource in case they needed assistance.