BAYLOR SCOTT AND WHITE, BRENHAM STATE SUPPORTED LIVING CENTER DISCUSS RESPONSE TO WINTER STORM

  

Last week’s winter weather and associated power and water outages led to hardships for many Brenham residents, but it also created some difficulties for Baylor Scott and White and the Brenham State Supported Living Center.

While neither organization was available for phone interviews, both submitted statements to KWHI reviewing their response to the weather emergency.

Baylor Scott and White said the Brenham hospital experienced brief water shortages due to impacts created by the weather event.  While some non-urgent surgeries were scheduled, patient care continued and staff monitored and responded to challenges as they arose.

Baylor Scott and White’s clinic locations in Brenham and the surrounding areas were closed for much of last week.

According to Baylor Scott and White, Blue Bell provided clean water so it could continue to serve the public through last week’s events.  This water was used until service was restored.

The healthcare provider said its medical center teams prepare continuously to provide care for its communities during a variety of situations throughout the year, including testing backup power sources, hosting drills, and practicing emergency communications systems.

Meanwhile, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)—on behalf of the Brenham State Supported Living Center—said the facility did experience power outages during the storm.  However, state supported living centers use generators as needed in case of an emergency, and the HHSC said the generators in Brenham worked well and met the facility’s needs.

The facility used bottled, distilled or boiled water during Brenham’s boil water notice.

KWHI has also reached out to several local nursing homes to get their assessment on the emergency.