JIC Release No. 4 - Hospital/Clinic Update - GHS OCD

As Tropical Depression 29W approaches the Marianas, Guam remains in Condition of Readiness (COR) 2. Residents are encouraged to stay indoors until COR 4 is declared. Residents are also encouraged to take note of the following healthcare updates:

Guam Memorial Hospital Authority
The Guam Memorial Hospital Authority (GMHA) began accepting expectant mothers at 5 p.m., and will continue to accept expectant mothers that come into GMHA later this evening. This is for pregnant mothers who are at least thirty-six (36) weeks pregnant and all high-risk pregnant mothers who are twenty-four (24) weeks pregnant.

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 GMHA 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;
Entertainment supplies to help pass time such as reading materials, DVD movies, cards, games, etc.

Restrictions:

No weapons
No personal pillows, blankets, and linens
No escorts, children, or pets will be allowed to accompany the pregnant mothers.

For the Community’s safety:

Regular visiting hours will resume at the declaration of COR 4;
Outpatient Elective Surgeries are postponed until further notice; and
Family viewings are suspended and will resume upon declaration of COR 4.

Guam Regional Medical City
The Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) will continue to observe its normal visiting hours this evening, until further notice. All admitted patients may have one (1) patient watcher per patient. Patient watchers must obtain an approved emergency patient watcher badge from Customer Relations in the Main Lobby.

For more information, contact the GRMC’s Marketing & Communications Department through Charly Lauron at 687-5572 or Cindy Hanson at 486-4246 or via email at marketing.mailbox@grmc.gu.

Department of Public Health and Social Services
The Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) Northern Regional Community Health Center (NRCHC) in Dededo and the Southern Regional Community Health Center (SRCHC) in Inarajan will be closed for the duration of the storm.

Patients who rely on power for oxygen machines or any other medical equipment are encouraged to coordinate with loved ones to ensure access to back-up generators.

U.S. Renal Care
U.S. Renal Care Dialysis Centers will be open tomorrow, November 27, 2019. Patients will be contacted if there are changes to scheduled appointments.

Patients are encouraged to contact the centers directly for more information:

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

For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.

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 - Hospital/Clinic Update