JIC Release No. 10 - Typhoon Wutip – Healthcare Update - GHS OCD

In anticipation of Condition of Readiness (COR) 2 at 4:00 p.m., note the following healthcare updates:

Department of Public Health and Social Services

The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) announces that at Condition of Readiness (COR) 2, the Northern Region Community Health Center (NRCHC) in Dededo and the Southern Region Community Health Center (SRCHC) in Inarajan will remain open and the following limited services will be provided:

Patients who need oxygen therapy due to loss of power (patients may bring their own oxygen machines). Patients should also bring necessities such as water, food, and medications. Please bring only one individual to accompany you to the center.
A doctor will be available to treat patients who need non-emergency care (i.e., treatment for lacerations, cuts, and minor injuries, etc.) and those needing urgent care services (i.e., breathing treatments, IV fluid therapy, treatment for minor infections, etc.)
If you are experiencing a life-threatening condition, please call 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency room.

For more information, please call the following:

Northern Region CHC: 635-7400 or 635-4410.
Southern Region CHC: 828-7515, 828-7516, or 828-7517.

Guam Memorial Hospital Authority

The Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) is preparing to accept expectant mothers beginning at 4:00 p.m. this afternoon; however, GMHA will accept expectant mothers if they decide to come in later. This is for pregnant mothers who are at least thirty-eight (38) weeks pregnant and all high-risk pregnant mothers who are six (6) months or more in their pregnancy.

Mothers are asked to check with their healthcare providers for guidance if they are unsure if they have a high-risk pregnancy. Upon arrival, check in at GMHA’s Patient Registration Department on the 1st Floor. Expectant mothers will remain at the Hospital for the duration of the storm until it is determined safe for them to return to their homes.

All expectant mothers are asked to enjoy a complete meal before they check into the hospital. Sleepers, pillows and blankets will be provided to the pregnant mothers. All pregnant mothers who need to come to GMH are asked to bring the following for their comfort and convenience:

ID and insurance cards;
Drinking water & Snacks that do not need refrigeration or heating;
Any needed medications;
Personal toiletries (soap, toothbrush, lotions, etc.);
Change of clothing;
Favorite entertainment supplies to help pass time such as reading materials, DVD movies, cards, games, etc.
For safety reasons, please follow these RESTRICTIONS:
- No weapons;
- No personal pillows, blankets and linens; and
- No escorts, children or pets will be allowed to accompany the pregnant mothers.

For the Community’s safety:

Regular Visiting Hours may continue until 8:00 p.m. today (Friday) and then they will not resume until declaration of COR 4;
Outpatient Elective Surgeries are postponed until further notice upon declaration of COR 2; and
Family Viewings are suspended upon declaration of COR 2 and will resume upon declaration of COR 4.

Guam Regional Medical City

The Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) will suspend visiting hours once the island is placed in COR 2. All visitors, except patient watchers, will be asked to leave the hospital.

All admitted patients may have one (1) patient watcher. Patient watchers must obtain an approved emergency patient watcher badge from Customer Relations in the Main Lobby. Note, patient watchers are encouraged to bring food for the duration of the storm. Meals will only be provided to patients.

All appointments scheduled for this weekend will be contacted for rescheduling.

U.S. Naval Hospital Guam

U.S. Naval Hospital Guam emergency services will remain operational during the storm. However, be mindful of COR levels, base control measures and access restrictions.

USNH Guam pregnant women who are 38 weeks or longer and 36 weeks if high risk (with complications) will be called by hospital staff.

U.S. Renal Care Dialysis Centers

U.S. Renal Care Dialysis Centers remain open today, Friday, February 22. Patients will be contacted if there are changes to scheduled appointments. Patients are encouraged to contact the centers directly for more information.

Telephone numbers:
U.S. Renal Care – Dededo: 637-3068
U.S. Renal Care – Finegayan: 588-0020
U.S. Renal Care – Sinajana: 475-3600
U.S. Renal Care – Tamuning: 646-3516
U.S. Renal Care – Tumon: 646-3773

Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:

NWS Website: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/
NWS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSGuam/
GHS/OCD Website: https://ghs.guam.gov/
GHS/OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/
Joint Region Marianas Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrmguam/

For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10 or the GHS/OCD 24/7 watch desk at (671) 475-9600.

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

JIC Release No. 10 - Typhoon Wutip – Healthcare Update