Oklahoma City hospitals weathering storm, trying to avoid increasing staffing shortages

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Metro hospitals are following swimsuit with the remainder of the nation dealing with important staffing shortages. Some feared with the winter climate blowing by, that downside would solely multiply if workers had to name out due to treacherous street situations.

“We are down from our ideal staffing models on most days,” stated Karyl James, Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy Hospital. “Any additional call-ins to that just enhances that gap and makes it a whole lot deeper.”

Brooke Cayot, a spokeswoman for INTEGRIS Hospital, added it “would make an already difficult situation that much more difficult.”

That’s why the hospitals are doing all they’ll to assist its workers.

“We have blocks of hotel rooms locally near the hospital that we have reserved and are paying for so that our coworkers don’t have to worry about that lodging and transportation to and from their homes,” stated James. “Some of our crew members reside in Weatherford, in Enid and they also will journey, you understand, up to an hour and a half, generally on a standard day with out snow, ice. We wished to guarantee that we had a heat, secure place for our coworkers ought to they want or need that choice. “

Mercy can be shuttling its workers from the accommodations to the hospitals. Employees with four-wheel drive, like James, are additionally transporting workers.

Cayot stated INTEGRIS is providing its workers discounted charges with close by accommodations.

“We also provide limited accommodations and meals within the hospitals for those who do not think they can get to and from work safely,” stated Cayot. “It is critical that our caregivers show up for work. We are open every day, all day and have patients who count on us.”

OU Health took a unique method to weathering this week’s storm, providing some workers the chance to earn a living from home and showering and sleeping lodging on the hospital.

“We want to limit their risk whenever we can, especially during events like this,” stated Rowdy Anthony, the Vice President of Emergency Services at OU Health.