Understanding inclement weather alerts and staff accommodations

As we head into February and March, more yellow and orange alerts for snow and ice may be in our future.

When winter weather hits, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) activates its emergency operations plan to be sure hospitals and clinics continue to run smoothly.

Yellow alerts make the VUMC community aware of conditions that may make an orange alert necessary. When an orange alert is active, staff members must stay at work at the end of their shift until every unit has the necessary clinical staff. Orange alerts are cancelled as quickly as possible to allow staff members to leave. Yellow alerts may remain in effect until conditions no longer threaten the ability of staff members to travel to and from the VUMC campus.

When travel is treacherous, staff accommodations are opened at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt (VCH).

Depending on the number of staff members who make a reservation (by calling 615-936-4444), staff can be housed in Children's Hospital's Wadlington Conference Rooms A and B, theater and boardroom. Staff members are provided with an air mattress, linens, a hygiene pack and access to shower facilities.

A Community Service Officer (CSO) is on site at all times to facilitate sign-in and to aid in limiting foot traffic through the area so that it is quiet for staff who are sleeping.

Two snow and ice events during January resulted in multiple orange alerts and the opening of staff accommodations. VUMC leadership praised the exceptional dedication of the clinical staff during these events.

“I want to extend a huge thank you to our nursing team members for their commitment during the last episodes of inclement weather,” said Robin Steaban, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Vanderbilt University Hospital and Clinics. “Our nursing team members reliably deliver what patients and the organization need with a level of expertise and energy that is unparalleled.”