Geary Community Hospital remains in a reduced services / capability status. Hospital officials said Sunday that means that GCH cannot accept routine appointments. However the emergency department will remain open for stabilization of urgent needs. Critical services in lab and radiology are available to support emergency cases. Once they are stabilized patients requiring admission will be transferred to another facility.
Coordination between the hospital and EMS is ongoing to facilitate quality care for patients while also balancing requirements to protect the city in case of another emergency. The only entrance to the hospital will be through the emergency room entrance.
Sunday leaders from the city, emergency Operations Center, GCH medical staff, city and county representatives, plus hospital administrative and maintenance staff met to discuss expectations for bringing GCH to full capability. While the hospital staff is working to reintegrate utility systems, the decision was made for clinics to include Alpha Care and the Wound Care Center to remain closed on Monday. All surgical procedures are also postponed. However, the rural health clinics will be minimally staffed to receive telephone calls for emergency prescription refills and to reschedule appointments.
Hospital officials are asking for the public's patience as the water pressure is restored. They must also complete required state and federal testing to ensure that procedures can be conducted safely when they reopen services.