NUHEALTH’S HURRICANE PREPARATIONS AT NUMC, AHP AND HEALTH CENTERS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2012
PRESS CONTACT:
Shelley Lotenberg
516-572-6055
NUHEALTH’S HURRICANE PREPARATIONS AT NUMC, AHP AND HEALTH CENTERS
East Meadow, NY…..Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the NuHealth System announced that in anticipation of the expected hurricane, senior level staff reviewed emergency preparedness plans and sustainability plans to ensure that the Nassau University Medical Center, the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility and our various family health centers have adequate levels of food/water supplies for patients, staff, and visitors, for anywhere between 4 and 7 days. Our health system could sustain itself for at least 96 hours.
Staff discussed power disruption plans—specifically, testing of our generators for contingency plans to ensure that generators and pumps are in working order, in case of electrical failure and flooding, and ensured that we have adequate supplies of fuel.
Support services reviewed emergency communications plans and equipment readiness as well as securing our buildings.
We discussed staffing plans, availability, and transport needs;
Staff ensured adequate levels of medical supplies, including medications and blood.
Accommodations for staff that will be staying over in cots in the auditorium were coordinated.
We will attempt to discharge those few patients who are ready for discharge since our census is about 400 patients today. In the event that we have to accept patients being evacuated from Long Beach Hospital and Long Beach Nursing Home to NUMC and AHP, as we did during “Irene”, we are requesting that staff come with their patients as well as be transported in their beds.
Our outpatient health centers and hospital clinics will be opened on Monday but might be closed on Tuesday, depending on strength of storm.
NuHealth’s ambulances will be available for transport, if needed.
NUMC’s emergency department will be up-staffed to accommodate influx of patients.
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.