Hurricane Update: Some Clinics Closed Saturday as VA Mid-Atlantic Network Prepares for Storms
September 6, 2008

By Dr. David Raney, VISN 6 Communications Manager, VISN Office

In a message to VISN 6 VA Medical Center (VAMC) leaders early today, Network Director Daniel F. Hoffmann, FACHE, issued guidance for Saturday (9-6-08) clinics to be cancelled at Wilmington, Morehead city, Jacksonville, Norfolk-Virginia Beach, and Hampton.

Hoffmann said, "This is a prudent measure in light of possible heavy rain and wind affecting some of our east coast sites." He added, "the safety of our patients and staffs is our uppermost concern. Our directors have authority to make decisions based on their situation analysis to continue or alter operations. We will keep our patients and staff members informed as we track the forecasts for landfall of Hurricanes Hanna, Ike and other storms."
The Hampton VAMC will continue to accommodate special-needs patients, including those requiring dialysis, during the weekend period.

Two clinics closed Friday afternoon

At 2pm, Friday, afternoon clinics at Jacksonville and Wilmington, N.C. were cancelled due to school closings and beach evacuations in those areas.  All but one patient with afternoon appointments had been contacted as of 3pm.  All other VAMC and Community Based Outpatient Clinic sites were operational today. 

The Network is testing its emergency communications systems today and making other preparations to deal with the possible effects of these storms.

The Emergency Operations Center team at the VISN office is keeping Network leaders and the VHA Joint Operations Center informed of developments and is the nexus for information-sharing in dealing with these hurricanes.