Oklahoma Hospital Sends A Distress Call

Sunday, July 1st 2007, 2:37 pm

By: News On 6

Concerned about flooding the Jane Phillips Medical Center is asking its nurses to call their units. Officials at the hospital in Bartlesville say they may need extra help Sunday night and Monday.

â€œSince many of our staff live in the areas where it is currently flooding, or where roads have been closed and are unable to make it to work safely, we are asking our available nursing staff to please call their units to see if their assistance is needed over the next few days, said Susan Herron, JPMC Director of Nursing Operations.

â€œThe safety of our patients and staff are a top priority for us,â€ said David Stire, JPMC President/CEO. â€œWe want our staff members who are flooded in to stay safe and not attempt to come to work.â€

â€œWe also plan ahead for emergencies such as floods. JPMC staffs for patient care several shifts ahead of schedule so we have available nursing staff to care for our patients,â€ Herron said. â€œIn addition, our nurse managers are able to care for patients and many of our nursing staff volunteer to work on their days off or to work an extra shift to ensure continuity of patient care.â€