Colleague News

Winter Storm Updates

8 pm Update:

The Code Green will end effective at 8 pm tonight. All colleagues should continue to report to their shifts at their regularly scheduled times as we return to standard operations.

We thank all of you for your support during this once-in-a-lifetime weather event.

6:30 pm Update:

All colleagues should report to their shift at their regularly scheduled times. Colleagues should not leave until their relief has arrived and they have received manager approval.

As a reminder, colleagues should only park in designated colleague parking lots. We encourage you to utilize the TMH shuttle service and Colleague Entrance as some icy spots may appear as temperatures drop again overnight.

2:30 pm Thursday Update:

As snow and ice continues to melt, we encourage everyone to check for road closures before traveling. For the most up-to-date information, contact the Florida and Georgia Transportation Information Service Line by dialing 5-1-1 or visit one of the traffic information sites below:

6 am Thursday, Jan. 23 Update:

While bridges and I-10 remain closed from Pensacola to Madison, Fl most local roadways are open and moving. We encourage colleagues to drive with extreme caution as there may be icy patches until temperatures heat to above freezing later this morning.

Shift Change Reminders:

Day shift change will occur at 8 am this morning. Colleagues who live nearby and can safely arrive at 7 am to relieve night shift should do so. Non-direct care colleagues should report to their unit by 10 am. Any colleague who is unable to travel safely to or from their scheduled shift should reach out to their unit leaders directly. Colleagues should not leave until their relief has arrived and they have received manager approval.

TMH Campus Updates:

The top deck of the P2 parking garage has been closed due to icy conditions. We encourage colleagues to utilize the TMH shuttle and the Colleague Entrance to enter and exit the hospital. Facilities is working to address areas of concern by salting high-traffic walkways and entrances for the safety of our colleagues and patients.

Cafe 1300:

This morning Cafe 1300 is offering free coffee as well as a $4 breakfast special featuring the following items:

Scrambled eggs
Savory Grits
Slice of Bacon or Sausage Patty
Fresh Baked Biscuit

8:30 pm Update:

There are many icy patches on sidewalks and roads surrounding our campus. Colleagues are encouraged to utilize the TMH shuttle service and enter through the Colleague Entrance. Additionally, please ensure you have proper footwear and exercise extreme caution when walking, particularly in shaded areas.

Clinical Colleagues:

Day shift change will occur at 8 am Thursday morning. Colleagues who live nearby and can safely arrive at 7 am to relieve night shift should do so. If you are unable to make the 8 am shift change, please contact your unit leader as soon as possible. Leadership will meet again early Thursday morning and provide an update by 6 am if any of these times need to change due to road closures or other conditions.

Please note: colleagues should not leave until their relief has arrived and they have received manager approval.

TMH Child Care Center:

TMH Child Care Center will be open 8 am - 5 pm Thursday, Jan. 23 for colleagues who already utilize their services.

Epic Training:

Epic trainings will resume Thursday, Jan. 23 as scheduled.

5:30 pm Update:

Census:

Our census remains high. While some discharges were made today, we should expect a congested hospital tomorrow morning.

Roads:

There are no immediate updates from local/regional bodies, however, street cameras indicate significant melting of snow/ice on major arteries including Thomasville Road.
We do expect that any remaining water/snow/ice may re-freeze tonight as the temperatures drop. Therefore, evening conditions may be challenging based on your location. Looking ahead to tomorrow, the sun is supposed to be out earlier in the morning, and the temperatures should be slightly warmer once the sun rises. This should continue to improve road conditions for “normal” travel.

Non-Clinical Colleagues:

Based on the roads, we are asking that at this time, all non-clinical/administrative/support staff report to their respective locations by 10 am. If you have any challenges regarding this goal, please reach out to your manager directly for guidance.

Clinical Colleagues:

We will be having subsequent meetings at 7:30 pm tonight and early tomorrow morning. Colleagues currently here will provide care throughout the night and will be released when the roads are deemed safe AND arriving staff can get here to replace them.

2 pm Update:

Colleagues who must travel through areas with curfews should print the attached letter to carry with them. Please present this letter and your TMH colleague ID to law enforcement if requested.

10:30 am Update:

Colleagues should begin to transition safely to day shift. Colleagues should arrive for their scheduled day shift between now and noon. If there are any concerns or issues regarding transportation, please communicate directly with your manager for case-by-case assistance.

Please note: colleagues should not leave until their relief has arrived and they have received manager approval.

Non-Direct Care Departments and residency programs will remain closed for the remainder of the day.

Outpatient Updates:

TMH Physician Partner Clinics and Urgent Care locations across Tallahassee, Panama City Beach, Blountstown, Marianna, Quincy, Wakulla, Perry, and Monticello, including the Tallahassee Memorial Cancer Center, will be closed today. We plan to reopen outpatient practices 10 am Thursday, Jan 23.

Telemedicine appointments for cancer and metabolic patients will continue as scheduled.

8:30 am Update:

We are continuing to monitor weather and road conditions and plan to provide an update at 10:30 am regarding afternoon scheduled cases/procedures for patients and colleague shift change.

Tuesday, Jan. 21 3 PM Update

The City of Thomasville has issued a mandatory curfew from 8 pm Tuesday to noon Wednesday. Emergency responders, essential workers and other services deemed necessary are exempted from the curfew. Colleagues should travel with their TMH ID badge to show to law enforcement if asked.

Tuesday, Jan. 21 Noon Update

An Extreme Cold Warning and Winter Storm Warning is in effect for our region. A Code Green Alert will begin at noon today and we will be activating Code Green at 6pm. It is expected that we will be in a Code Green/Code Green Alert through Thursday morning.

Staff is to report for the night shift today at 6pm and will continue working until the roads are safe and other shifts can take over, expected late morning/early afternoon Wednesday.

Tomorrow morning, we will provide regular road updates from the Florida Highway Patrol to all staff via Spark, TMH.org/colleaguenews and Spark Text Alerts until the roads are cleared. Once roads are cleared and colleagues have been notified that it is safe to travel to work, it is expected that colleagues scheduled to work report within 60 minutes.

Below are some important operational details while in a Code Green:

· Non-direct care units or supporting direct care units will be closed Wednesday until noon and colleagues must take half day PTO. Colleagues wishing to take PTO for the full day should work with their managers. It is up to the discretion of the Vice President of the area to enforce a full day of PTO.

· Visiting Hours: Starting at 6pm today, only one visitor per patient, per Code Green protocols. Visitors here at 6pm must remain until roads are clear and it is safe to travel.

Outpatient offices are altering schedules as follows:

Tallahassee, Quincy and Wakulla Primary Care and Urgent Care: Closing Tuesday at 4pm, reopening Wednesday at 11am.
Panama City Beach Primary Care & Urgent Care: Closing Tuesday at 2pm (Central), reopening Wednesday at 11am (Central).
Blountstown Primary Care: Closing Tuesday at 3pm (Central), reopening Wednesday at 11am (Central).

We have contacted all scheduled patients with updates on surgeries and procedures.