HONESDALE - As Hurricane Sandy moves closer to our area, Wayne Memorial Health System announced several actions to protect patients and staff. 

• Starting tomorrow (Tuesday), all elective surgical procedures have been cancelled until further notice.
• All Wayne Memorial outpatient satellite facilities (X-ray, blood draws, EKG) will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday —in Honesdale, Waymart, Hamlin, Lords Valley, Forest City and Milford.
• Cardiac Rehabilitation services at the hospital are cancelled tomorrow.
• Hospital nursing supervisors will have portable radios to maintain open communications with all floors at all times.
• The Home Health office will be closed tomorrow, but a nurse will be on call. No nurses will be in the “field” due to possibly hazardous driving conditions.

Wayne Memorial’s Incident Command Team has been preparing for Hurricane Sandy for several days. The hospital has beefed up its infrastructure to handle power outages and supply line cut-offs, as well as flooding. Patient care is of the utmost priority, and our nursing staff is working around the clock to make sure patients are safe and comfortable. Many staffers have made arrangements to work extra shifts or stay overnight, at or close to the hospital, to be immediately available if needed.

Our Emergency Department is also prepared to handle an increased volume of patients, should there be community emergencies related to the storm.

The hospital has not moved to alter visitation hours as of this time. That decision could change based on escalating weather conditions.

If you are a patient of Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers (WMCHC), either their Family Health Centers or behavioral, dental or women’s health services, please call ahead before coming in to make sure they are open.

Wayne Memorial Hospital has backup generator power to assure electrical flow to key areas. In the event that generator power is needed, some non-emergency services may be curtailed. For example, there may be limited elevator capacity, limited cafeteria services and no x-rays except in the Emergency Department.

Other actions taken by Wayne Memorial to secure the safety of its patients and staff include additional refrigeration facilities and sump pumps, as well as linen conservation.  Medications have been moved to protected, secured areas within the hospital. The hospital has also agreed to refrigerate vaccines from other healthcare providers to assure their safety.

Wayne Memorial will keep the public posted as needed.