Visiting nurses continue rounds despite snow - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Despite heavy snow, patients who are home-bound still need care. Friday, visiting nurses spent the day visiting their patients across the Pioneer Valley to make sure that they are safe throughout the storm.

"We're coming out to visit all of our patients to make sure all of them are having the proper care," said visiting nurse Edna Gabel.

Gabel spent her morning going door to door checking on patients.

"Despite any weather, we're showing our patients the continuity and the importance of our care to them," said Gabel.

"It is so critical when people are coming home from hospitals or nursing homes just to have someone to take a look at the patient, check their vital signs and make sure that they're doing well in that transitional period," said visiting nurse Melissa Gower.

Gower says when the weather is bad she as well as other nurses have to be sure to prioritize their visits.

"Today we tried to triage and see the most high-priority patients first and then maybe someone who just needs a blood pressure check that might be able to wait until the weather is better," said Gower.

"I wasn't really expecting them to come out today," said Norbert Dussault.

Dussault says he's very appreciative that Gower came to visit during the storm.

And in addition to providing medical care, nurses are also helping to make sure their patients are prepared in case they get snowed in.

"In these emergency type situations where you know that you're not going to be able to get to a store, they might not have family so sometimes we're a valuable resource because we can reach out to family members or friends," said Gower.

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