As we welcome a new year, the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) reaffirms its commitment to the health and safety of our community. With winter weather in the forecast, we want to share how CIHA prioritizes safety while continuing to provide uninterrupted access to care, even in challenging conditions.
The safety of our patients and staff is always our top priority. During inclement weather, CIHA’s Executive leadership team works closely with NCDOT, Cherokee DOT, and other county partners to assess road conditions and make decisions that prioritize everyone’s well-being. When winter weather is forecasted, CIHA Leadership begins monitoring weather alerts not just for the Qualla Boundry, but for all of Western North Carolina as both our staff and patients are located across several different counties. When severe weather strikes, we strive to maintain essential healthcare services while ensuring that our patients and staff are protected. This delicate balance allows us to continue serving the community without compromising anyone’s safety. While forecasts are monitored, the CIHA grounds crew prepares each facility with salt and readies to clear sidewalks and parking lots to ensure easy and safe access to facilities. Procedures are activated for essential staff who need assistance with lodging accommodations to ensure they are able to report to work to provide care to the community. Department supervisors begin communicating with their teams to assess individual needs and availability and make adjustments where possible to keep staff safe and services accessible for patients.
To minimize the impact of winter weather on our operations, CIHA has established procedures to ensure patient care is not disrupted:
- 24/7 Operations: As a healthcare provider, CIHA remains open around the clock, even during severe weather, to meet the critical needs of our patients through our inpatient units at both the Cherokee Indian Hospital and at Analenisgi as well as the Emergency Room.
- Communication: We are committed to keeping the public informed. Updates about any changes to services, delays, or closures are shared through social media, our inclement weather hotline, and other communication channels such as local media outlets.
- Transportation Support: For our essential personnel, transportation services are available when conditions make travel unsafe. This ensures we have the staff necessary to provide care for our patients.
As members of this community, we encourage you to take precautions during winter weather to stay safe. If you have an appointment at CIHA and are concerned about travel conditions, please reach out to us for assistance or to reschedule. Your health and safety are as important to us as the care we provide.
At CIHA, we understand how vital access to healthcare is, especially during times of uncertainty. That’s why we make every effort to maintain our services while safeguarding the well-being of our patients, staff, and community. Visit the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority on Facebook or call the weather line at 828.497.3498 to stay up to date on closures or delays.