BACOLOD CITY: The emergency department of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) here issued a “severe congestion alert” on Wednesday, Oct 14, after its occupancy rate reached 212%.
A CLMMRH public health advisory said 138 patients were seeking treatment at a facility with a capacity of only 65 beds.
In response to the influx, hospital officials are urging the public not to wait until their health conditions worsen before seeking medical attention and to seek care at local health facilities for non-life-threatening conditions.
Patients experiencing minor or non-emergency symptoms are advised to visit their nearest City Health Office or PhilHealth YAKAP/Konsulta provider, the advisory said.
For non-emergency care and hospital admissions, the public is encouraged to consider other local hospitals or outpatient clinics instead of going directly to CLMMRH, it added.
Patient transfers and referrals from other healthcare facilities must be coordinated through the One Hospital Command Center before arrival, the advisory said.
Despite the severe congestion, CLMMRH emphasised that its emergency services remain open. Hospital staff continue to prioritise patients with critical or life-threatening conditions based on the urgency of their medical needs, the advisory said. - Inqurier/ANN
