Ballad Health will provide an operational update for Thursday

(WCYB) — Ballad Health provided an update on its business operations on Thursday.

The update includes a suspension of elective surgeries at Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital.

Below you will find the full press release.

Ballad Health's Corporate Emergency Operations Center (CEOC) remains active due to ongoing severe weather issues. Flooding, strong winds and power outages continue to cause problems throughout the Appalachian Highlands.

Below you will find the most current list of system updates.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) remains available to assist team members and their families with confidential mental health and substance abuse services through Ballad Health Counseling Services. Ballad Health offers free insurance coverage.

NEW/UPDATED INFORMATION

Water main break in Kingsport

Due to a water main break that affected a large portion of the City of Kingsport early Wednesday morning, Holston Valley Medical Center and Indian Path Community Hospital have suspended elective surgeries until Thursday, October 3rd.

Dialysis at both facilities was temporarily paused Wednesday but has resumed.

The city is making emergency repairs and has announced the water main is fixed and is working to restore service.

Because water pressure in Holston Valley and Indian Path is below optimal levels, water conservation measures are being taken at both facilities.

Otherwise, both hospitals are fully operational, including full operation of the emergency rooms.

Sycamore Shoals Hospital is resuming services

Inpatient service resumed on Wednesday, October 2nd.

Operations will resume on Thursday, October 3rd.

Safety guidelines for flood restoration

Anyone involved in disaster response should check their tetanus vaccination status. Team members whose tetanus vaccination is not up to date can report to any Team Member Health office and receive a free TdaP vaccination.

When working in muddy areas, you should wear a mask or respirator as there is a possibility that toxins, irritants, chemicals and bacteria may have become trapped in the mud and could be released into the air as microscopic dust.

If you or your family suffers from a bee allergy, please be aware that the flooding has disrupted the hives. Therefore, please have all the necessary materials ready – EpiPens and Benadryl as prescribed by your doctor.

Even before the floods, there was an increase in West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis, diseases spread by mosquitoes. If you are working outside, please do the following:

oUse insect repellent

oWear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants to cover all exposed skin

oYou can find more tips here: Preventing mosquito bites | mosquitoes | CDC

Vaccination Considerations – The hepatitis A vaccine is a routinely recommended vaccine for adults and children. Exposure to flood water is not a recommendation for this vaccine, but it is still important to ensure you are up to date on all routinely recommended vaccines.

Supported by Ballad Health Foundation

Several relief funds have been set up:

oThe Ballad Health Team Member Emergency Fund is accepting donations to benefit team members affected by the disaster. Details of the PTO donation will be announced shortly.

oThe Patient Assistance Fund benefits patients who have financial needs.

oThe Disaster Relief Fund is a much-needed opportunity for support.

How to donate to one of these funds:

The oBallad Health Foundation has created a new text option. Text “Disaster Relief” to 44834 to make a gift.

Donation container

Donation bins are available outside the hospital gift shops

Desired items:

oBaby formula, diapers and wipes

oBottled water

oCleaning products

oFeminine hygiene products

oNew bedding, clothing, socks and shoes

oNon-perishable food

Donations support our team members, STRONG families, home health care and hospice patients.

The Medical Response Unit in Erwin continues to operate

Located in the parking lot of the Unicoi County High School Auditorium in Erwin, the site provides 24-hour first aid, minor illness and injury triage, and stabilization, including:

oBasic treatment of infections

oStabilization and transfer for trauma and serious illnesses

oRespiratory tract infections

oSkin infections

Located at 700 S. Mohawk Drive in Erwin, Tennessee.

Unicoi County Hospital team members will provide 24-hour care to the unit until further notice.

As of 4 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, the Medical Response Unit has treated 32 patients.

Update on Centers for Early Learning (CEL) in Greeneville, Lebanon

The Center for Early Childhood Education in Lebanon has resumed operations.

Operations at the Center for Early Learning in Greeneville will remain suspended until the city's water supply stabilizes.

MEMORIES

Canceled courses

All classes scheduled for the week of September 29th are canceled including:

o AHA

o Clinical training

o CPR

o Epic Education

o Organizational development

Onboarding courses for new team members will continue as planned.

Questions should be directed to management.

Greeneville Community Hospital services remain suspended

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 services will continue to be provided for patients in labor or in an emergency situation. OB patients scheduled to be admitted to Greeneville Community Hospital should call their doctor to seek care at another hospital.

Patients experiencing an emergency can still go to the hospital emergency room.

Laughlin Healthcare Center evacuated residents

Thirty-three patients were successfully evacuated from Laughlin Healthcare Center in Greeneville to Wexford House in Kingsport.

The patients' families have been notified.

Laughlin Healthcare Center will remain closed until Greeneville's utilities and water supply stabilize.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact the Ballad Health Corporate Emergency Operations Center at [email protected].

Ballad Health EAP Locations

TENNESSEE

Bristol

1 Medical Park Boulevard, Suite 200E

Bristol, TN 37620

423.844.5100

Elizabethton

1497 West Elk Avenue, Suite 21

Elizabethton, TN 37643

423.542.7420

Greeneville

438 East Vann Road, Suite 202

Greeneville, TN 37743

423.636.0491

Johnson City

701 Med Tech Parkway,

Suites 200 and 201

Johnson City, TN 37604

423.302.3480

Kingsport

2204 Pavilion Drive, Suite 107

Kingsport, TN 37660

423,343,1442

Rogersville

948 West Broadway Street, Suite 2

Rogersville, TN 37857

423.921.7150

VIRGINIA

Abingdon

613 Campus Dr, Suite 200

Abingdon, VA 24210

276.628.1186

Large stone gap

1980 Holton Avenue, Suite 103

Big Stone Gap, VA 24219

276.524.8100

Lebanon

344 Overlook Drive, Suite 200

Lebanon, VA 24266

276.883.8042

Rural retreat

7021 West Lee Highway, Suite C

Rural Retreat, VA 24368

276.686.4148

St Paul

16431 Wise St

St Paul, VA 24283

276,762,2300