NUHEALTH HURRICANE SANDY UPDATE #10 10/31/12 4PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2012
PRESS CONTACT:
Shelley Lotenberg
shelley@numc.edu
516-572-6055
NUHEALTH HURRICANE SANDY UPDATE #10 10/31/12 4PM
East Meadow, NY…..The NuHealth System/Nassau University Medical Center is fully operational, on main power, at over-capacity following the transfer of 57 patients evacuated from the Long Beach Medical Center and increasing volume in the emergency department. The census as of today 10/31/12, is 513 inpatients, 27 patients waiting for admission in the emergency department. A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility is also fully operational, at full capacity as a result of the 35 residents evacuated from the Long Beach Nursing Home on Sunday. Staffing levels remain tight. In order to accommodate the increasing number of patients requiring admission, we are seeking to discharge those patients who are ready for discharge and could be safely discharged.
As a result of the disaster caused by Hurricane Sandy and the increasing need for patients needing admission, NUMC intends to use every creative asset that we have in order to supplement what already exists. We have been informed that additional patients are expected to be transported following search and rescue efforts in some areas of Nassau County. We are considering re-opening unutilized units on the 3rd floor, the 8th floor, the former prison ward, the 9th floor unit and using the hallways close to the nursing station to house these additional patients.
Every NuHealth clinical staff member (RN, LPN and PCA), not presently on duty, is being requested to report to work for assignment to help provide care for our increased volume.
We have capacity to dialyze additional patients as long as additional trained staff is made available.
NUMC has also sent our family practice and psychiatry physicians to the shelter at NCC in response to a request from the Department of Health to provide medication review and prescriptions for a special needs population.
The ambulatory services at the Nassau University Medical Center will be closed on Thursday, November 1st and Friday, November 2nd, in order to divert the clinic nursing staff to work on the inpatient floors, thus meeting the needs of our increasing inpatient base. The NuHealth Family Health Center at Hempstead has been re-opened and is operational. The other health centers in Elmont, Roosevelt and Westbury will remain closed until power is restored as they do not have power presently, nor a functioning telephone system. Patients who need medical care can come to the Nassau University Medical Center’s outpatient centers and they will be seen by health center physicians who will be providing care while some of the health centers are closed. Staff , normally working at the closed health centers, is to report to NUMC for assignment tomorrow, Thursday.
We thank the entire NuHealth team for their exemplary and amazing dedication to our patients during these last few challenging days.
ABOUT NUHEALTH
NuHealth is a Long Island health care organization delivering essential medical care and disease and lifestyle management to everyone at every stage of life. Also known as Nassau Health Care Corporation, NuHealth is a public benefit corporation managing the operations of Nassau Medical Center, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care and a network of Family Health Centers that bring primary and specialty care out into the community. By emphasizing wellness, cultural sensitivity and collaborative efforts with the North Shore-LIJ Health System, NuHealth is working to make good care more affordable and easier to access.
For more information about NuHealth or its Centers of Care, visit www.nuhealth.net.