Area clinics say they have a plan of action for winter weather delays

GOLDEN TRIANGLE, Miss. (WCBI) – The threat of freezing temperatures, slick roads, and even snow caused some area clinics to have a delay in their normal schedule Tuesday morning.

As it turns out, delays caused by winter weather not only have an effect on patients in need of care, they also affect hospitals and clinics from a business stand-point.

“We do have our policies in place in the event that we do have inclement weather. We do know exactly what the policy is and how to abide by that,” said Director of Operations at Baptist Medical Group Janet Cranford.

She said area clinics have a plan of action when it comes to winter weather.

“We do always print our patients schedules the night before so our staff has access to those patient’s schedules at home, so in the event that there needs to be a delayed start, they can contact the patient and let them know that.”

And if the clinic closes for the day, Cranford has a solution to that as well.

“The ER is always open and available so in the event that the patient needs care, you know, there’s always an opportunity for them to come to the ER.”

Cranford says a delay in the schedule could have long-lasting consequences.

“It certainly has a ripple effect because those patients are on the schedule for that day whether it be that the patient sees that they can’t make it to the clinic or it be that we don’t have enough staff there. Those patients have got to be seen at another time.”

Delays can also have financial effects on clinics.

“The financial effect is that if the weather is very inclement and patients can’t get here, we might not see as many patients that day, but typically as I said you’re going to see that you will make that up when the weather is pretty and they can get there.”

She said the main issue clinics face every year is staffing.

“I think the biggest issue becomes parents who have children who are not in school and maybe they have to make arrangements for their children.”

Regardless of the weather, Cranford says patients only need to know one thing.

“Our policy is our clinics are open, you know, in the event something happened and we couldn’t be, we would always reach out to the patient first.”

Cranford said patients should carry on in a “business as usual” fashion unless otherwise notified.