HURRICANE DORIAN STATUS UPDATE

Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.

MAJOR PARKING CHANGE: Starting Wednesday, September 4, employees should park in the MUSC Bee St. Garage. Overflow parking will be available at the MUSC (City) Garage, 4^th level or higher. There will be no charge to park in the MUSC Garages.

VAMC STATUS:   In accordance with Federal, local and state officials’ guidance and directions, the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center has cancelled all outpatient clinics and appointments at the VA Medical Center, and at its outpatient clinics in Goose Creek, Beaufort, Myrtle Beach, Savannah, Hinesville and the Trident Annex beginning Tuesday, September 3 through Saturday, September 7 due to Hurricane Dorian. Additionally, all outpatient procedures scheduled at the VA medical center are cancelled Tuesday - Friday.  The VA Medical Center’s inpatient care units and Emergency Department are open and operational. The Director has activated the Emergency Operations Center to manage all planning and actions related to the storm. Regular updates will be provided to staff throughout the storm. 

CBOC STATUS FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 THROUGH SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7:  

• Hinesville – Closed
• Savannah – Closed
• Myrtle Beach – Closed
• Trident Annex – Closed
• Goose Creek – Closed
• Beaufort - Closed

 

EMPLOYEE STATUS:  Charleston VAMC employees, Trident Annex employees, Goose Creek CBOC employees, and employees at all other sites in the greater Charleston area will support the Manpower Pool throughout the event unless they have a telework agreement or leave is approved by their supervisor. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring sufficient staffing in their services. Employees at Beaufort, Savannah, Hinesville and Myrtle Beach CBOCs will be on Weather Safety Leave (WSL) beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3 through the end of the week. Employees should review facility and service line Severe Weather Emergency Preparedness plans and make plans to ensure the safety of their families.  Staff will begin sheltering in place on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. Questions regarding work status should be addressed by your supervisor. 

PATIENT STATUS:  The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center has cancelled all outpatient clinics and appointments at its outpatient clinics in Goose Creek, Beaufort, Myrtle Beach, Savannah, Hinesville and the Trident Annex beginning Tuesday, September 3 through Saturday, September 7 due to Hurricane Dorian. All elective outpatient procedures scheduled at the VA medical center are cancelled Tuesday – Friday.  The VA Medical Center’s inpatient care units and Emergency Department are open and operational. Patients whose appointments are cancelled are being contacted to reschedule.

PATIENT PRESCRIPTION REFILLS:  If you run out of your medications and are in need of a supply, you can go to any retail pharmacy to get a short supply of medications filled until normal pharmacy operations at Ralph H. Johnson resume.

 

Q:  What are the criteria for re-filling medications?

A:  At this time, the criteria for filling these emergency fills and refills are:

1. You must have an empty vial of medications from a VA Pharmacy that is not older than 90 days and it indicates there are refills available.  Or, a new prescription on a valid VA prescription form.
2. You must present a valid ID that confirms you are the person to whom the vial or prescription belongs.
3. The medication is not a “controlled substance”

 

Q:  I am trying to fill my prescription, where can I go?

A:  You can take your empty prescription bottle to any pharmacy.  All they will need is your VA ID card and the old prescription bottle to fill the prescription. If the Pharmacist has questions they can call Heritage Health Solutions Customer Care Center at (866) 265-0124 and a representative will assist them. 

 

Q:  I can’t find my old prescription bottle.  How can I refill my medications?

A: Locate your nearest pharmacy, show your VA ID and tell the pharmacists to call Heritage Health Solutions Customer Care Center (866-265-0124) and a representative will provide them the proper information over the phone to dispense those prescriptions.

 

Please be sure to bring the Heritage Health Solutions phone number with you to the pharmacy, (866) 265-0124 - they will help you through the process.

 

SECURE MESSAGING:  Due to Hurricane Dorian, Secure Messages may not be checked Tuesday, Sept. 3 through Sunday, Sept. 8. If you have an urgent need, call the Telephone Advice Program (TAP) line at (843) 789-6400.

 

SHELTERING IN PLACE & SAFETY:  Tropical storm force winds with higher gusts and possible flooding are expected to begin Wednesday evening. All staff and dependents sheltering in place should remain inside to ensure your safety until the all clear is given. Employees and dependents caring for animals should take them out before higher winds and significant rainfall begin. Staff who are sheltering in place are to remain at the VAMC until the all-clear is given and they are released by their supervisor.

 

• Lodging:  Staff, family members and patient family members sheltering in place at the facility MUST check-in in the Main Auditorium on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. for accountability and to obtain a room assignment. Due to our current patient population, staff should not self-assign rooms. Staff and dependents will be given a wrist band when they sign in. Everyone MUST wear their wrist band for the duration of sheltering in place. Once the all-clear is given, staff MUST check out with EMS staff at the Information Desk and with their supervisors

• Meals: Employees should plan to either purchase meals through the Canteen or bring their own food for themselves and their dependents. Employees are encouraged to have cash for Canteen purchases in the event that credit card readers are impacted by the storm.

• Showers: Shower assignments are available 7:30 am - 3:00 pm. To reserve your shower time please call ext. 5270. Please arrive promptly for your reserved time and follow guidance to ensure everyone has an opportunity to shower.

• Pay:  Employees will be paid for hours worked to include any overtime, if authorized. If an employee arrives before their shift or stays after their shift and is willing and available to work, they should request a work assignment from their supervisor. If they are not required by their supervisor, they should request work from the Labor Pool. If they are not required by their supervisor or the Labor Pool, they will not be paid for that time. On call staff will be compensated per normal procedures. If employees are on call and choose to shelter at the medical center while on call, employees will receive their call pay.

 

MANPOWER POOL:  Employees will be assigned work or instructed to report to the Manpower Pool by their supervisor. Employees should coordinate directly with their supervisor for their work assignment.

 

CANTEEN HOURS OF OPERATION:  The VCS Canteen and Retail Store will be open throughout Hurricane Florence per the schedule below. The Canteen will offer a limited menu. The Retail Store offers Grab & Go food items. In the event employees are required to shelter in place, employees may purchase food through the Canteen or they may bring their own food. Canteen patrons are encouraged to bring cash for purchases.

 

Retail Hours

7am – 5pm

 

Café Hours

8am – 10am Breakfast

11am – 1pm Lunch

4pm – 6pm Dinner

 

Coffee Shop

Closed

 

Vending

24/7

 

SHELTER INFORMATION:  Charleston VAMC IS NOT a shelter.  For shelter information go to http://www.scemd.org/ or call the Tricounty Area Storm Hotline at (843) 719-4800 or the American Red Cross at (843) 764-2323.

PARKING & SHUTTLE SERVICE:  Beginning Wednesday morning, Sept. 4, all VA lots should be cleared and employees should park in the MUSC Bee St. Garage. Overflow parking will be available at the MUSC (City) Garage, 4^th level or higher. There will be no charge to park in the MUSC Garages. GOVs should park in the City Garage beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3  

VA VOLUNTEERS:  Volunteers should not report for duty beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3 through the remainder of the week.

DAV TRANSPORTATION:  Patient transportation via DAV vans will not be provided Tuesday, Sept. 3 through Friday, Sept. 6.