bakdc / Shutterstock.com

Texas Hospitals Strain Under Weight of Emergencies

COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine distribution, massive winter snowstorm and statewide power outage combine to wreak havoc


Healthcare facilities regularly update and practice their emergency preparedness plans in anticipation of a catastrophic event that threatens regular operations. Hospitals in Texas, however, are in the midst of dealing with several substantial emergencies simultaneously — the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine distribution, a massive winter snowstorm and a statewide power outage. The results for some facilities have been chaos.

State health officials scrambled Monday to administer more than 5,000 Covid-19 vaccines after a deadly winter storm pummeling the state caused a power outage in a facility storing the doses, according to NBC News. A backup generator at the Harris County Health Department failed, thawing freezers that kept a total of 8,430 doses of the Moderna vaccine, according to Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo.

In Waco, hundreds of businesses closed due to snowstorms bringing single-digit temperatures to Central Texas, but hospitals don’t have that option, according to KWTX.

“Our campus has been impacted by the weather,” said Dr. Tameka Jones with Baylor Scott & White (BSW) Medical Center-Hillcrest. BSW officials say their teams practice emergency scenarios throughout the year, and over the last week, they’ve been focused on preparing for extraordinary weather. Hospital leaders have been making arrangements for team members to remain on-site at the hospital and at nearby hotels.



February 18, 2021


Topic Area: Facility Operations


Recent Posts

Life Sciences and Healthcare: Reshaping Institutional Design

Examining the way leaders address the increased pressures and prolonged project timelines can reveal best practices and delivery models.


Arnprior Regional Health Upgrades Building Controls to Improve IEQ

Case study: They wanted to improve the hospital facility’s IEQ to support patient care and reduce long-term operating costs.


Oregon Health & Science University Opens Vista Pavilion

Vista immediately adds 128 new inpatient beds; once it is fully built out, it will expand OHSU Hospital’s capacity by about one-third.


The Growing Crisis in Rural Healthcare Facilities

Outdated buildings, reactive planning and complex funding are forcing rural leaders to rethink their strategies.


A Cleaning Alternative: The Benefits of Steam Technology

Cleaning is essential in healthcare facilities, but traditional disinfectants have harmful chemicals. Researchers say that steam technology may be the solution.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.