Local hospitals work together to provide treatment when Florence hits

During disasters, the state’s major hospital systems work together to help meet each other’s needs and the WakeMed system is prepared for the worst.

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With the threat of Florence, which could make landfall late Thursday as a Category 3 hurricane, WakeMed has all essential staff on hand, ready to meet the need.

“We have had a lot of focus in the last 24 hours to make sure our staff are personally prepared and that their families are prepared,” said Dr. Barb Bisset, director of WakeMed Emergency Services Institute.

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Bisset said all trauma centers in the state plan together for weather-related disasters. They have already helped hospital systems in total evacuation zones find medical shelter for more than 100 patients, 10 of which are at WakeMed.

In the most hazardous conditions, Bisset tells people to expect a slower 911 response time.

“If winds get to 40 mph sustained, it becomes dangerous at that time for responders,” she said.

Emergency staff are poised to help patients before and after the storm. They hope people can prevent common injuries and life-threatening situations.

“If people are using generators, they’re making sure that they’re not getting carbon monoxide exposure. There can be ladder falls, people doing things they’re not used to doing,” she said.

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Bisset reminds people that during severe storms like Florence, everyone needs to be aware of the needs of their neighbors.

“We recognize that it’s a very, very stressful time for everybody and so we all work together and try and get through this together as a community,” she said.

Bisset said all hospitals are required to have generators with multiple days of fuel and with back-up plans if a generator fails.