Emergency System Updates for Oct. 2, 2024

HURRICANE HELENE UPDATES

For the most up-to-date information about modified hours and location closings visit our inclement weather page.

Ballad Health’s Corporate Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) remains active due to ongoing issues caused by severe weather throughout the region. Flooding, high winds and power outages continue to create problems throughout the Appalachian Highlands.

Medical Response Tent continues operations in Erwin

Located in the auditorium parking lot of Unicoi County High School in Erwin, the site provides 24/7 first aid, triage for minor illnesses and injuries, and stabilization including:

• Basic treatment of infections
• Stabilization and transfer for trauma and serious conditions
• Respiratory infections
• Skin infections

Located at 700 S. Mohawk Drive in Erwin, Tenn. Ballad Health team members will be staffing the unit around the clock until further notice.

Greeneville Community Hospital services to remain suspended, ER open

• Inpatient transfers to Holston Valley Medical Center have been completed. 
• All services remain suspended at Greeneville Community Hospital except for those provided in the emergency department. 
• Emergency obstetric (OB) services are still being provided for patients in active labor or have an emergent situation. OB patients with a scheduled induction at GCH should call their physician to receive care at another hospital.
• Patients experiencing an emergency may still come to the hospital’s emergency department. 

Phone systems, network resumes operation

• All inbound and external phone service is now fully operational except for Johnson County Community Hospital. Please report any issues to the IT Help Desk at 423-431-6290.
• The behavioral health crisis Respond Hotline, which was inoperable on Saturday, is now operational at 1.800.366.1132. Please note, this is an updated number that what was previously published.
• Network connectivity has been restored and should be consistent throughout the Ballad Health system, except in Unicoi County.

Sycamore Shoals Hospital to resume inpatient operations

• Due to rising flood waters, on Friday, Sept. 27, Sycamore Shoals Hospital in Elizabethton took the proactive measure to safely evacuate 39 inpatients and suspend operations except the Emergency Room.
• On Wednesday, Oct. 2, the hospital will resume accepting inpatients. Surgical procedures will commence once Carter County utilities stabilize.  

Laughlin Healthcare Center evacuated residents

• Thirty-three patients were successfully evacuated from Laughlin Healthcare Center in Greeneville to Wexford House in Kingsport. Patients’ families have been notified.
• Laughlin Healthcare Center will remain closed until utilities and the Greeneville water supply stabilize.

Greeneville, Lebanon Centers for Early Learning (CEL) update

• The Center for Early Learning in Lebanon will resume operations beginning Wednesday, Oct. 2
• The Center for Early Learning in Greeneville's operations will remain suspended until water supply stabilizes in the town

Elective procedures resume where possible

• Elective procedures have resumed at facilities that can perform them. 
• Patients will be contacted in the event their procedure needs to be rescheduled.

Ballad Health Medical Associates

• Except for Unicoi County, all Ballad Health Medical Associates offices will be open beginning Monday, Sept. 30. 
• Patients should contact their physician's office if they are unable to come to their appointments.
• 24/7 Virtual Urgent Care and Telehealth options are available online.

Safety advisory

Those under a boil water advisory – like Johnson, Carter and Unicoi Counties – should follow boil water directives.

• Team members and members of the public are not to be on Unicoi County Hospital property as it is deemed unsafe.
• The facility is experiencing a propane leak, which makes being in or around the building extremely unsafe.
• Emergency service professionals have advised to let the leak dissipate.
• Security is onsite 24 hours a day.
• Be aware that floodwater can contain sewage, and eating or drinking anything contaminated by floodwater can cause diarrheal disease (such as E. coli or salmonella infection).
• Wash your hands after contact with floodwater.

Vaccine considerations

Tetanus

• Those who experience cuts, scratches or other injuries while working in cleanup and recovery should ensure their tetanus vaccine is up to date.

Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis A vaccine is a routinely recommended vaccine for adults and children
• Being exposed to floodwater is not a recommendation for this vaccine, but it's still important to ensure you are up to date with all routinely recommended vaccines.

Team member assistance

• Team members who need assistance should first reach out to HR. 
• HR will route team members to the most appropriate avenue for assistance.
• HR is prepared to coordinate financial needs, referrals to the Employee Assistance Program or community needs assistance. 

Donations for Disaster Relief

• The Ballad Health Team Member Emergency Fund is accepting donations that will benefit team members affected by the disaster. 
• The Patient Assistance Fund will benefit patients who have financial needs. 
• The Disaster Relief Fund is a greatest need opportunity for support. All three relief funds can be accessed here.

Barrels are available in the lobbies of Ballad Health hospitals near each Gift Shop to take donated goods.

Donated items being accepted include: 

• Baby formula, diapers and wipes
• Bottled water 
• Cleaning supplies 
• Feminine hygiene products
• New bedding, clothing, socks and shoes 
• Nonperishable food

Events cancelled:

• Niswonger Children’s Hospital steel-topping ceremony and pediatric subspecialty open house, originally scheduled for Oct. 4.
• Ribbon-cutting event for the Abingdon Center for Early Learning scheduled for Oct. 8.
• Greeneville Community Hospital Friend Raiser scheduled for Oct. 17.

Reschedule dates will be identified at a later time.

Canceled classes

All classes scheduled for the week of Sept. 29 will be canceled, including:

• AHA
• Clinical Education
• CPR
• Epic Education
• Organizational Development
• New team member onboarding classes will continue as scheduled.
• Questions should be directed to management.

Questions

For questions, please contact the Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center at BalladHealthCorporateEOC@BalladHealth.org