Patient evacuations stopped by Lee Health, back to normal; NCH in Collier nearing capacity
Liz FreemanLee Health has stopped patient evacuations from HealthPark Medical Center, Golisano Children’s Hospital and Gulf Coast Medical Center.
“Water pressure and power have been restored, and since conditions at our hospitals have improved to near-normal, we no longer need to evacuate patients from these locations,” according to a media update.
The publicly-operated hospital system in Lee County began the evacuations after water pressure dropped to critical levels at the three locations after Hurricane Ian.
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Roughly 400 patients were evacuated, with 150 being sent to the NCH Healthcare System. At the Golisano children's hospital, 149 sick children were sent to other hospitals, including 67 premature babies.
Updates on capacity at Lee Health
- Emergency departments at Lee Health hospitals have remained open since the hurricane.
- Outpatient services at Lee Health hospitals reopened Wednesday, Oct. 5, and capacity for service will be based on staffing levels.
Updates on capacity at the NCH Healthcare System
The two hospitals operated by NCH with a combined 715 beds are nearing capacity, based on staffing capacity at 528 patients.
"We continue to monitor admissions and have surge plans in place should we need to mobilize those and create more bed space to accommodate patients," according to spokesman Shawn McConnell.
The emergency rooms are busy from people being injured in the Ian clean-up efforts and ask patients with minor emergencies to use NCH's Immediate/Urgent Care facilities located in Bonita Springs, Vanderbilt Beach Road, or Marco Island.