title: [LESSONS FROM PREPAREDNESS OF HOSPITALS TO SNOWSTORMS].
abstract: Snowstorms are not a usual scene in Israel, which normally enjoys relatively warm weather, even in the winter. In the last two years we faced three severe snowstorms that had a major impact on the routine daily life in Israel. Roads were blocked, people experienced long electricity power failures, and secondary to slippery conditions, there was more than a threefold increase of orthopedic injuries. These storms confronted hospitals with unique challenges, both medical and logistic. Hospitals must be prepared to cope with the challenge of maintaining continuation of care. We propose four phases of preparedness strategy: at the beginning of the winter, once there is a weather forecast warning, during the storm itself, and returning to norm. This manuscript deals with the lessons learned by two hospitals in Safed and Jerusalem dealing with snowstorms.
authors.forename: Ofer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Merin
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: Amos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peyser
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gros
authors.forename: Gali
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Aria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bitan
authors.forename: Salman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zarka
authors.forename: Kelin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shapira
mesh_terms: D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D004190:Disasters; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D012914:Snow