As the clean up continues from the aftermath of the historic ice storm that devastated much of Kentucky, Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center is reporting no weather-related fatalities in Grayson County.

Unfortunately, at least 27 Kentucky residents have died as a result of the storm from causes including hypothermia, falling on ice, or carbon monoxide poisoning.

According to a press release from TLRMC, during the week following the ice storm, many patients were treated with injuries or illnesses attributed to the storm There were numerous injuries from falls on ice and slick surfaces that resulted in sprains and a few fractures.

Falling tree limbs and the removal of tree limbs and other storm debris caused several minor injuries. The hospital also reported a small number of patients were treated for issues related to exposure to the cold, no cases of major hypothermia and only one area resident was treated for carbon monoxide poisoning. That patient has been released from the hospital.

According to David Logsdon, RN, MSN and Chief Nursing Officer, TLRMC is also treating a larger number of people than typical for colds and other illnesses. These illnesses are often spread when people spend long periods of time in close approximation such as at a shelter or by staying together in a house for long periods of time.

As a result of advanced planning, good communication practices and hard work, the staff of the TLRMC Home Health Agency was able to provide the needed services to their patients in spite of the devastating ice storm.

According to Mona Fulkerson, RN and director of the Twin Lakes Home Health Agency, the key was communications. “Once we saw the weather forecast, we called patients and rescheduled visits set for Tuesday and Wednesday to Monday. That way we were able to see our patients before the storm hit.”

As the storm impact was being felt across the area on Tuesday morning, January 27, the home health staff contacted as many patients or their families as possible to check on them and to pass along important information.

“We helped arrange the delivery of oxygen and other critical supplies to patients who were in need of help,” said Fulkerson. “We also passed along the locations of storm shelters to those patients who needed to leave their house.”

By keeping track of their patients, the home health staff was even able to visit some of their patients who had evacuated to shelters.

“I am extremely proud of the effort our staff made in helping our patients,” said Fulkerson. “They put their patients first, even though they were dealing with the same problems caused by the storm as everyone else in Grayson County. They really stepped up to the challenge.”