As Texas braces for the incoming winter storm, local hospitals and pharmacies have tips for how to keep yourself safe — and what to do if you need medical care during the storm.
The state is expecting a major storm system, including the potential for ice accumulation and power outages, which will be at its most severe over the weekend.
Ahead of the wintry weather, pharmacies are recommending that residents double check and refill any needed prescriptions. Hospital leaders, meanwhile, are reminding Texans that emergency rooms will remain open and fully operational throughout the storm.
“There are no changes in the care available in the emergency department during wintery weather or any kind of weather,” said Dr. Terence McCarthy, the medical director of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth’s emergency department.
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That means that you can get any emergency care you need, both during and after the storm hits.
“We always have to be open and ready for anything,” McCarthy said.
Here are some things to keep in mind as the storm bears down on Texas — and what to do if you find yourself in a medical emergency over the next few days.
Ahead of the storm: Refill prescriptions
Before the storm hits, Texans should check their prescriptions and make sure they have enough to last through the winter weather.
Timothy Morrison, a pharmacist and a CVS Pharmacy District Leader in the Dallas area, said the pharmacies may also be able to work with residents who need an early refill, to help them get that filled before the storm hits.
For Texans who aren’t able to get their prescriptions filled before the storm, or who need other medical supplies during, representatives of both CVS and Walgreens said the pharmacies will stay open if possible.
Both chains have store locator tools on their websites, which representatives of the chains said will be updated with any store closures. Patients whose usual pharmacy location closes during the storm will be able to access their prescriptions at the next closest pharmacy location in the same chain.
Dallas police are investigating an incident that occurred at a CVS location downtown on Friday evening, according to a spokesperson for the pharmacy. Police received more than a dozen reports of a shooting on the 1400 block of Main Street shortly after 11 p.m. Friday, according to active call data.
Chase Rogers / The Dallas Morning News
What if I have a medical emergency during the storm?
Emergency rooms remain open and fully operational throughout natural disasters and other major events.
Edmundo Castañeda, the chief operating officer at Parkland Health in Dallas, urged patients not to delay needed medical care.
“If anybody’s got any kind of clinical concern, they should not hesitate,” Castañeda said. “We’re going to be here in the emergency room ready to take care of patients.”
This applies to all types of medical emergencies, including medical events that are unrelated to the winter weather.
“If you’re worried that you’re having a heart attack or a stroke or having severe difficulty breathing, for instance, then by all means come to the emergency room,” McCarthy said.
For North Texans who need emergency care but feel the road conditions are too severe for safe travel, both McCarthy and Castañeda said residents can call 911 for ambulance transportation to the hospital.
Castañeda said he doesn’t want the EMS system to be overwhelmed with transportation calls, but he advised patients to err on the side of caution and to call 911 if they think it’s best for the medical situation they’re experiencing.
Avoiding storm-related injuries
During winter weather, health leaders said, emergency rooms often see injuries from car crashes and slip-and-falls.
Both McCarthy and Castañeda urged residents to stay home during the incoming storm and the subsequent icing of roads. Walking outside can also pose dangers, too, especially if it’s icy.
“We want to make sure that people are very cautious getting around,” Castañeda said, “because we do expect ice accumulation over the course of the weekend.”
McCarthy said emergency rooms see a lot of fall-related injuries during winter weather, including head injuries and bone breaks. McCarthy particularly worries about patients who are on blood thinners, because those patients are more susceptible to head injuries.
“It’s a really great idea to just stay home and get cozy by the fire, drink some hot chocolate,” McCarthy said.
What if I’m having non-emergency symptoms during the storm?
For non-emergency situations, such as mild flu or cold symptoms in an otherwise healthy person, McCarthy recommended patients stay at home.
“If you’re generally a healthy person with cold and flu symptoms, you really probably don’t need to come to the ER,” McCarthy said. “Those kinds of things generally pass on their own.”
If patients have any medical questions or concerns, though, Castañeda said they should contact their medical provider.
“If there is a question, they should call their medical provider,” he said. “Their medical provider should be able to help them navigate the situation.”
What if I have a scheduled medical appointment during the storm?
With the storm hitting the hardest over the weekend, fewer patients’ scheduled medical appointments will be impacted.
For people who do have appointments over the weekend — or if the storm’s severity continues into early next week — health care leaders recommended patients call their doctor’s office or pharmacy before going to any appointment.
Patients who feel safe commuting to a doctor’s appointment may be able to attend the appointment, unless the medical office is closed due to the storm. Patients who are concerned about traveling or need to take care of children or family members will likely be able to reschedule or shift to a video appointment if appropriate.
Many medical offices and pharmacies have already begun contacting patients whose scheduled appointments might be impacted by the storm.