Charleston VA Medical
Center Update

HURRICANE DORIAN STATUS UPDATE

Monday, September 2, 2019 at 10:00 am

Outpatient Clinics closed Tuesday, Sept. 3 - Friday, Sept. 6.

VAMC STATUS: In accordance with the Governor’s mandatory evacuation, 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 Friday, September 6 due to Hurricane Dorian. Additionally, all outpatient procedures scheduled at the VA medical center are cancelled Wednesday - Friday. Patients with procedures scheduled for Tuesday will be contacted today regarding their scheduled time. 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 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6:

• 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. Guidance on status for the VAMC, all clinics, and VAMC sites will be updated as more information and updated storm projections become available. A final decision about which, if any, staff will be needed to shelter in place will be made later in the week as hurricane projections are updated, and will be communicated to staff by their immediate supervisor. 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 Friday, September 6 due to Hurricane Dorian. All elective outpatient procedures scheduled at the VA medical center are cancelled Wednesday – Friday. Patients with procedures scheduled for Tuesday will be contacted today regarding their scheduled time. 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. We will continue to monitor the status of the storm and update closures as information becomes available.

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 (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.

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. If you choose to send a Secure Message during this time and do not receive a response within 24 hours, please call the TAP line at (843) 789-6400.

SHELTERING IN PLACE, LINENS & MEALS. At this point sheltering in place is expected to begin as the storm approaches. Timeline to begin sheltering will be communicated as soon as final decision is made. Staff should make their family plan at this time as there will be minimal accommodations available at the VAMC due to patient care. When sheltering begins, staff should bring their own linens, cots, air mattresses, towels, etc. The VAMC supply of cots for employee use will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Employees should also 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. More information regarding sheltering in place will be provided if the decision is made to do so.

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: Employees may park on-station on Tuesday, September 3. Beginning Wednesday morning, Sept. 4, all VA lots should be cleared and employees should park in MUSC (City) Garage. There will be no charge to park in the MUSC Garage. 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.