Overview
- Emergency departments and inpatient services plan to remain operational through the cold snap, while outpatient clinics and some appointments may be canceled or rescheduled.
- Medical City McKinney activated its inclement-weather plan, set up 65 cots with on-site meals for staff, and readied staffing adjustments to keep its Level II trauma center accessible.
- Health systems in Houston and the Brazos Valley tested backup generators and HVAC, insulated pipes, salted walkways, and organized ride-out teams to stay on-site if travel becomes hazardous.
- Clinicians expect a rise in slip-and-fall injuries, cold exposure and road-accident traumas, and they urge the public to limit travel and seek care promptly for urgent conditions.
- Hospitals advise patients to confirm appointments and stock necessary medications in case pharmacies or clinics close, with EMS and emergency rooms available for life-threatening needs.