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Menninger Clinic

For Employees

Responding to T.S. Beryl 

Response Status: Morning of July 12

  1. Yesterday power was restored to more than half of the campus. The power feed for the second generator is still out, which powers Adult, CPAS, Bridge and Building 8. Facilities will continue to monitor the situation today and through the weekend as needed. There is more than enough fuel on hand to continue to operate the generator.  
  2. The Adolescent Day Treatment Program will operate in the Outpatient Services Center building today.
  3. The Incident Commend Center Team will no longer meet twice daily at this time. John Gomolka will continue to monitor the situation and will provide organizational updates if needed.
  4. If any concerns come up, please share them with your manager.

Response Status: Afternoon of July 11

  1. Power has been restored to more than half of the campus. The power feed for the second generator is still out, which powers Adult, CPAS and Bridge. Facilities is checking systems throughout the areas that were restored and will continue to monitor the second generator until all power sources are restored.
  2. Patient Care Services is working on getting all lab draws caught up.
  3. Since this morning, a number of staff have reached out about accommodations at Menninger for themselves and family members. Their managers are working with Human Resources to coordinate plans. Please continue to let your manager know if you need accommodations.

Response Status: Afternoon of July 10

  1. The cashier’s window remains closed because it doesn’t have generator power. If vault items or petty cash is needed, please call extension 5037 during the normal window hours 9-10 a.m. and 1:30-2:30 p.m. and Shannon Pursley will assist.
  2. Adolescent Day Program and the Recovery IOP are meeting in the Commons classrooms to take advantage of air conditioning comfort.
  3. Clinical, Nursing, and PCS coverage remains stable thanks to the flexibility across programs.
  4. Housekeeping is catching up on laundry services.
  5. Amazon has made deliveries today; however, the Westbury Post Office remains closed.
  6. The air conditioning in the Facilities Building has been partially restored.
  7. A refill of fuel is still anticipated today.

Response Status: Afternoon of July 9

  1. Staffing coverage across the organization is improving at most programs and departments. All necessary treatment programs are being provided.
  2. The campus remains on generator power for the facilities that are connected. Only about a third of the fuel on hand has been used so far, and our fuel will be topped off yet this week. When regular power resumes, an All Clear message will go out via MennAlert.
  3. The Westbury Post Office remains closed today; so mail service in and out is not available.
  4. Payroll is on schedule for this week. Emergency pay will be paid out in the July 26 payroll.

Response Status: Morning of July 9

Admissions resume today; the campus is operating on generator power.


Key points include:

  1. The admissions postponed for Monday are set for today, and new admissions are welcome.
  2. Generator power continues in the main buildings except for Building 8. Building 6 has limited power.
  3. Nursing, PCS, and Psychiatry have had some call-ins, but coverage is adequate through the day shift.
  4. Pathfinder has power at the offices. Housekeeping will be servicing the apartments today.
  5. Menninger 360’s Waugh Street office has power and Internet. Staff are beginning limited in-person services this afternoon as requested by clients. Resumption of normal operations planned for tomorrow. 
  6. Managers, please check in with your reports and inform Human Resources if there are any needs for your staff.

Other updates include:

  • Clinicians who can return to work today will be welcome so that as many treatment services can be covered as possible.
  • Bellaire’s office building remains closed.
  • Pharmacy is fully staffed today.
  • Sparks e-newsletter is cancelled for this week in lieu of the daily storm-related updates.
  • Facilities will be starting on campus clean up and replacement of fencing damaged by the hurricane.
  • The Cafeteria is open as usual.

Response Status: Afternoon of July 8
Beryl has been downgraded back to a tropical storm and is now tracking northeast of Houston. There are widespread power outages, fallen trees and flooding, so please continue to use caution.

 

Key Points:

  1. Code Yellow will be cleared by the Incident Command Team at Menninger at 7 p.m. this evening. Emergency staffing will end at that time.
  2. Staffing in all areas has improved throughout the day.
  3. Dr. Daryl Shorter will be the on-call MD this evening.
  4. The campus is operating on generator power, and connectivity remains online.
  5. Visiting hours for patients will resume tomorrow at lunchtime.
  6. Dietary is making rounds to re-stock snacks on each unit, but the dining room will be open for dinner. Unit trays should only be ordered for patients on unit restriction.
  7. Walking paths will be cleared this afternoon so patients can make it safely to the dining room, but a more thorough grounds clean-up will begin at 8 a.m. tomorrow. There was damage to parts of the fence on campus, which will also begin to be repaired tomorrow. Engineering is checking on conditions at The Gathering Place so a decision can be made as to on when to re-open.
  8. The cashier’s window is closed, so please call Security if access to vault items is needed.
  9. Housekeeping is providing weekend-level services today.
  10. If you are without power and need to use the showers in the gym, please feel free to do that. Just bring your own towels and toiletries.
  11. The next Command Center meeting will be at 9 a.m. tomorrow, and an update for all staff will follow on email as well as on the For Employees page of the website.

Other status reports include:

  • Pathfinder apartments continue to be without power, and options are being explored for clients to sleep at the Pathfinder office or on campus this evening.
  • Menninger 360 is continuing to complete virtual appointments when possible.
  • The Bellaire office building still is without power, so outpatient appointments will take place virtually as connectivity permits. Today’s Adolescent IOP services are being moved to Wednesday. 
  • Adolescent Day Program will probably not resume tomorrow. Building 8 is not on emergency power, so an alternate location is being explored.

Response Status: Morning of July 8

The Incident Command Center Team met Monday, July 8, at 9 a.m. Following are the key updates:

  1. Staffing for inpatient and residential patients is covered at this time.
  2. The campus is operating on generator power and connectivity remains online.
  3. Lunch will be delivered to the on-campus programs as the winds remain too dangerous to cross campus. 
  4. Patients and residents are asked to remain at their programs until it is safe to move about the campus. Team rounds are cancelled for today.
  5. Leaders, please complete payroll this morning if possible.
  6. Physician and Pharmacy services are available with on-campus coverage by Dr. Daryl Shorter and Avani Thakkar as well as Dr. Victor Lee, respectively.
  7. The cashier’s window is closed, so please call Security if access to vault items are needed.
  8. Housekeeping will provide weekend-level services once the wind calms down and the staff can safely cross campus.
  9. The next Command Center meeting will be at 2 p.m. today and an update for all staff will follow on email as well.

Other status reports include:

  • Pathfinder apartments are being monitored and are without power.
  • Menninger 360 is completing virtual appointments when possible.
  • The Bellaire office building is closed, and outpatient appointments will take place virtually as connectivity permits.
  • Adolescent Day Program will resume on Tuesday.
  • Some limbs are down on campus 
  • Managers are asked to check in with their reports when you have connectivity to do so.
  • Stay tuned for the afternoon update and please error on the side of safety.

Overview: Sunday, July 7
Beryl is currently a tropical storm that is forecast to make landfall near Matagorda (located about 90 miles south/southwest of Houston), with the possibility of increasing to hurricane strength by landfall after midnight. Heavy rainfall ahead and during the storm is expected to impact Greater Houston and, of course, the Gulf Coast. 


Key Points

  • Code Yellow has been called by the Incident Command Team at Menninger.
  • Those staff asked to work on Ride Out Team starting by 7 p.m. today, July 7, should plan to stay until released to return home. The campus buildings are rated to withstand high winds, and we are prepared for these types of storms.
  • All non-clinical staff who can should work remotely Monday, July 8. If you don’t have connectivity, plan to take PTO or come in to work if possible to do so.

Ride Out Team Preparations

  1. If you are scheduled to work the 7 p.m.-7 a.m. shift or have been scheduled to come into work by your manager, plan to bring your own pillow and blanket, medications as needed, and extra clothing and personal items to stay through the duration of the storm or until you are released by your manager to return home.
  2. If you need an air mattress, email Facilities@menninger.edu to request one as early as possible.
  3. The ride out team includes Security, Engineering, Dietary, Housekeeping, Nursing and PCS, Physician, Pharmacy, Executive, Information Technology, and Admissions. 
  4. Prepare to use Downtime Procedures in the event of Internet outage. Use unit cell phones or walkie talkies as needed.
  5. Hourly employees will be paid 1.5 pay for time worked. During non-working time yet still on site, employees will receive $50. Exempt clinical staff receive a $350 stipend for being on location as part of the Ride Out Team. For more specifics, please see this policy.
  6. Dietary will deliver food for breakfast on Monday morning, so no one needs to get outdoors in the height of the storm early Monday.
  7. Admissions staff will be communicating with planned admissions to coordinate.
  8. Additional instructions will be provided by your executive or manager.

Next Incident Command Meetings

  • 4 p.m. Sunday as well as Monday morning; watch for further updates on email, the Menninger website’s For Employees page, and via MennAlert.

Remember to stay safe. Respect high water and do not enter flooded roadways. Keep your devices charged.

 

Accessing Network Applications

Menninger faculty and staff can access the following network applications from this site:

Accessing Voice Mail Remotely

To reach your 8x8 voicemail from an external number:

  1. Dial your 10-digit Menninger number.
  2. When the call reaches voicemail, press the pound (#) key.
  3. Enter your voicemail passcode and press # again.
If you have difficulties, dial 713-275-5400, and an operator will be happy to assist you.
 

Accessing IT Help

For help with an information technology issue, email the IT HelpDesk.

 

Blue Cross Blue Shield Transparency of Coverage

This link leads to the machine-readable files that are made available in response to the federal Transparency in Coverage Rule and includes negotiated service rates and out-of-network allowed amounts between health plans and healthcare providers. The machine readable files are formatted to allow researchers, regulators and application developers to more easily access and analyze data.

 

Self-service Password Reset Guide

Need help resetting your password? This guide can help.

 

Executive On-Call

To reach the executive on-call, dial 281-796-3834.


The on-call administrator should be called in the following circumstances, including but not limited to:

  1. Fire, flooding, and any situation which compromises the safety of the physical environment in an urgent manner.
  2. Law enforcement or firefighters on site.
  3. Significant patient self-harm, patient suicide or attempt. 
  4. Patient elopement.
  5. Staff or patient major/serious injury; staff or patient sent to Emergency Department for treatment.
  6. Any event that would precipitate the use of an emergency code of any color. 
  7. Show of support or seclusion/restraint.
  8. Service recovery with a referring professional.