JIC Release No. 4 - Tropical Storm Mawar - Healthcare Update - GHS OCD

In anticipation of Condition of Readiness (COR) 2 tonight at 8 p.m., note the following healthcare updates:

The community is reminded to ensure prescription medicine is filled before the storm’s approach. Use today and Monday to stock up on necessary medical supplies.

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 Inalahan 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.)
Northern Pharmacy will remain open during COR 2 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. to serve Community Health Center patients who require medication refills, supplies, and other essential medication.
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: (671) 635-7400/4410
Southern Region CHC: (671) 828-7515/6/7

Guam Memorial Hospital Authority
The Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) GMHA will be announcing the time for pregnant mothers to come in the afternoon of Monday, May 22, 2023. At that time, GMHA will begin receiving 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.

Expectant mothers are asked to please check with their healthcare provider for guidance if they are unsure if they have a high-risk pregnancy. Once GMHA has announced it is accepting pregnant mothers, please check in with the Patient Registration Dept. on the 1st floor upon your arrival. Expectant mothers should expect to remain at the hospital for the duration of the storm and it has been determined to be safe for them to return to their homes.

All expectant mothers are asked to have 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
Meals will be provided but mothers are encouraged to bring additional drinking water and snacks that do not require refrigeration or heating
Any necessary medications
Personal toiletries (soap, toothbrush, lotions, etc.)
Change of clothing
Entertainment (i.e. games, cards, movies, headphones, books, etc.) to help pass time

For hospital safety, the following RESTRICTIONS will be in place for all pregnant mothers:

No personal pillows and blankets
No escorts, support persons, children, or pets (with the exception of service animals) will be allowed to accompany pregnant mothers.
No smoking/vaping, alcohol, illegal drugs, or weapons will be permitted.

Guam Regional Medical City
The Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) will suspend visiting hours once the island is placed in Condition of Readiness (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 (that does not require refrigeration) for the duration of the storm. Meals will only be provided to patients.

The GRMC Lung and Infectious Diseases (GLID) Clinic has converted physical appointments to Telehealth until further notice. All other outpatient appointments and elective surgeries scheduled on Monday, May 22, 2023, will be contacted for rescheduling accordingly.

For more information, contact GRMC’s Marketing & Communications Department at (671) 687-5572 or (671) 971-1347 or via email at marketing.mailbox@grmc.gu.

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.

Fresenius Dialysis Centers
Fresenius Dialysis Centers will remain open tomorrow, May 22, 2023. Patients will be contacted if there are changes to scheduled appointments. Patients are encouraged to contact the centers directly for more information.

Telephone numbers:
Fresenius – Dededo: 637-3068
Fresenius – FHP: 646-3034
Fresenius – Finegayan: 588-0020
Fresenius - Sinajana: 475-3600
Fresenius Tamuning: 646-3516
Fresenius – Tumon: 646-3773

Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:

NWS Website: https://www.weather.gov/gum/
NWS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NWSGuam/
GHS/OCD Website: https://ghs.guam.gov/
GHS/OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/
JRM Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrmguam

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. 4 - Tropical Storm Mawar - Healthcare Update