Emergency Updates
Medical Visits 24/7 Free of Charge for Hurricane Irma Victims on Virtual Health Connect
As our community begins to repair and restore the effects of Hurricane Irma this week, our hospital is offering free telehealth visits on Virtual Health Connect to help area residents get non-emergency medical care. The free telehealth visits are available through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 18, 2017 on any mobile device, computer or tablet.
Virtual Health Connect is intended for patients who have an urgent need to see a physician for minor health concerns like sinus problems, fever, ear infections, cold and flu symptoms, allergies, migraines, stomach pain, and much more. The doctor will evaluate and diagnose the patient, and if feasible and appropriate, send prescriptions to the pharmacy—just like an in-office doctor’s appointment.
Access to free virtual visits on Virtual Health Connect can be done through an internet connection on any mobile device, tablet or desktop by visiting http://VirtualHealthIrma.com. At the time of visit, patients can enter coupon code IRMA to have their visit free of charge.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.
Virtual Health Connect is intended for patients who have an urgent need to see a physician for minor health concerns like sinus problems, fever, ear infections, cold and flu symptoms, allergies, migraines, stomach pain, and much more. The doctor will evaluate and diagnose the patient, and if feasible and appropriate, send prescriptions to the pharmacy - just like an in-office doctor's appointment.
Community Announcement – Services Status
Friday, September 15, 2017 | 3:00 p.m.
Bayfront Health Punta Gorda physicians, staff and vendors continue to work around the clock and will continue to do so through the weekend to finalize clean-up and repair from Hurricane Irma’s impact. Leaders are hopeful that the hospital will be ready to return to full operational status early next week.
The Bayfront Health Punta Gorda Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center as well as the Bayfront Health Medical Group physician practices began seeing patients Tuesday of this week, and Punta Gorda’s Emergency Department and Riverside Behavioral Center re-opened yesterday, Thursday, September 14.
Yesterday, Bayfront Health extended their free offering of primary care telemedicine visits until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 18. Florida residents with an internet connection can start a visit on any mobile device, tablet or desktop by visiting http://VirtualHealthIrma.com. At the time of visit, patients can enter coupon code IRMA to have their visit free of charge.
Community Announcement – Services Status
Thursday, September 14, 2017 | 1:00 p.m.
We are happy to report that Bayfront Health Punta Gorda’s Emergency Room is now open and seeing patients. Internal ancillary departments including radiology, lab, pharmacy, and others are staffed and assisting the ER physicians and staff. Patients requiring hospital admission will be stabilized and transferred to Bayfront Health Port Charlotte until the Punta Gorda campus is opened hospital-wide next week.
Community Announcement – Services Status
Thursday, September 14, 2017 | 11:30 a.m.
Thanks to the dedication of our staff and physicians, Riverside Behavioral Center, located on the campus of Bayfront Health Punta Gorda, has re-opened ahead of schedule and began admitting patients at 7:00 a.m. this morning. Bayfront Health Punta Gorda’s Emergency Room will open by this afternoon. Patients requiring hospital admission will be stabilized and transferred to Bayfront Health Port Charlotte until the Punta Gorda campus is opened hospital-wide which remains on schedule to be sometime the week of September 18th.
All of the Bayfront Health Medical Group physician practices and clinic locations are open and seeing patients.
Free telemedicine primary care visits have now been extended until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 18. This is for any Florida resident who can go online and register for a virtual health visit. This is intended for a non-emergency visit. Access can be done through an internet connection on any mobile device, tablet or desktop by visiting http://VirtualHealthIrma.com. At the time of visit, patients can enter coupon code IRMA to have their visit free of charge.
We are so very proud of our Bayfront Health family and the physicians who continue to pull together to support each other and our community.
Community Announcement – Services Status
Wednesday, September 13, 2017 | 3:00 p.m.
After commercial power was restored yesterday, staff quickly performed a walk-thru to assess any possible damages at Bayfront Health North Port. We are glad to report that the departments and building itself incurred little damage. Bayfront Health North Port will re-open tomorrow, Thursday, September 14, resuming all outpatient services including lab, radiology and physical therapy.
Bayfront Health Punta Gorda leaders and staff continue to perform clean-up and repairs in conjunction with local agencies and vendors. Bayfront Health Punta Gorda remains on schedule to open the Emergency Room and Riverside Behavioral Health Center by end of week and is hopeful of becoming fully operational very soon.
All of the Bayfront Health Medical Group physician practices and clinic locations are open and seeing patients.
Community Announcement – Services Status
Tuesday, September 12, 2017 | 2:00 p.m.
Bayfront Health Port Charlotte is fully operational. All elective surgical cases and outpatient services resumed today.
Bayfront Health Punta Gorda is in the process of re-establishing operations. After evacuating during the day and early morning of September 9-10, hospital leaders are working with local agencies and vendors for clean up and repairs. Bayfront Health Punta Gorda looks forward to opening the Emergency Room and Riverside Behavioral Health Center by end of week and becoming fully operational as soon as possible.
The Bayfront Health Punta Gorda Wound Care and Hyperbaric Center, located at 25097 E. Olympia Ave., in Punta Gorda has reopened and began seeing patients today.
Some of the Bayfront Health Medical Group physician practices began seeing patients today. Clinic updates include:
- Offices that are open and seeing patients today:
- Dr. Geoffrey Roelant of Bayfront Health Medical Group General Surgery located at 713 E. Marion Ave., Suite 131, Punta Gorda.
- Carrie Ingram, ARNP, Roxanna Duran, LMHC, and Philip Carracher, PhD, LCSW of Bayfront Health Medical Group Psychiatry located at 713 E. Marion Ave, Suite 753, Punta Gorda.
- Dr. Saeed Shahzad of Neurology Center of Southwest Florida located at 713 E. Marion Ave., Suite 129, Punta Gorda is open today until 3:30 p.m. and will resume full office hours tomorrow, September 13.
- Offices resuming full office hours tomorrow, September 13:
- Drs. Jennifer D’Abarno, Ruben Guzman and Jerome Sturm of Comprehensive Women’s Health Care located at 15061 Tamiami Trail, North Port and at 3067 Tamiami Trail, Unit 1, Port Charlotte.
- Dr. Amy Mellor or Neurology Associates of Charlotte County located at 3067 Tamiami Trail, Unit 2, Port Charlotte.
- Dr. Mark Davis of Bayfront Health Medical Group Orthopedic Surgery located at 713 E. Marion Ave., Suite 147, Punta Gorda.
- Drs. Fariba Gharai of Bayfront Health Medical Group Cardiothoracic and Vascular Services located at 2380 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte.
- Dr. Maria Compton of Bayfront Health Medical Group Otolaryngology located at 713 E. Marion Ave., Suite 133, Punta Gorda.
- Dr. Justin Boccardo of Bayfront Health Medical Group Vascular Surgery located at 713 E. Marion Ave., Suite 131, Punta Gorda.
Bayfront Health North Port remains closed due to loss of commercial power. We are hopeful outpatient services including lab, radiology and physical therapy will resume by Monday, September 18.
Community Announcement – Services Status
Monday, September 11, 2017 | 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, Bayfront Health Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda System consolidated resources to Bayfront Health Port Charlotte. Bayfront Health Punta Gorda remains closed to include Riverside Behavioral Center.
Bayfront Health Port Charlotte is open to deliver all services as normal, including emergency medical services, surgical, obstetric and pediatric services. Radiology, laboratory and cardiac catheterization labs are fully functional.
All elective surgical cases will resume tomorrow, September 12, as well as outpatient services such as physical therapy, x-rays and lab work at the Port Charlotte campus.
Outpatient services at Bayfront Health North Port are currently cancelled until the building can be evaluated.
Repairs to Bayfront Health Punta Gorda will be more extensive and we are still assessing how long it will take to reopen and resume operations on that campus. We continue to evaluate our service capabilities and meet regularly to determine what services we can open.
We are so very proud of our Bayfront Health family and the physicians who are pulling together to support each other and the community.
Community Announcement – Services Status
Saturday, September 9, 2017 | 11:00 a.m.
The Bayfront Health Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda System has consolidated resources to Bayfront Health Port Charlotte. Bayfront Health Punta Gorda is currently closed.
Bayfront Health Punta Gorda’s inpatients have been discharged or transferred, and the Emergency Department there is closed. No services are available at Bayfront Health Punta Gorda at this time.
Residents should continue to shelter in place. Only individuals experiencing a medical emergency will be allowed to enter the Port Charlotte facility.
Are a hospitals are not public shelters. For information on available shelters in the City of North Port and Sarasota County, call 941-861-5000 or visit the county website. For Charlotte County, call 941-833-4000 or visit the Emergency Management site.
We will continue to keep you updated throughout the storm about any significant developments.
Community Announcement – Services Status
Friday, September 8, 2017 | 3:00 p.m.
As Hurricane Irma moves toward our area, Bayfront Health Port Charlotte and Bayfront Health Punta Gorda continue to work closely with the Charlotte County Emergency Management Office, County Commissioners and other community leaders and are prepared to follow their guidance, whether it’s to evacuate or shelter in place. Patient safety will continue to be our first priority, just as it always is.
At this time, our hospital system is consolidating resources to Bayfront Health Port Charlotte.
Bayfront Health Punta Gorda’s inpatients will be discharged or transferred to Bayfront Health Port Charlotte. The Punta Gorda Emergency Department will remain open at this time to meet emergency medical needs.
Area hospitals are not public shelters. For information on available shelters in the City of North Port and Sarasota County, call 941-861-5000 or visit the county website. For Charlotte County, call 941-833-4000 or visit the Emergency Management site.
Outpatient visits at Bayfront Health Port Charlotte, Bayfront Health Punta Gorda and Bayfront Health North Port have been cancelled for Monday. Patients with scheduled appointments for services will be called using the phone number(s) we have on record.
Continue to check back here for hospital updates. We will attempt to keep you updated throughout the storm about any significant developments.
Hurricane Irma Resources
The resources listed below may be helpful in locating and receiving services in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
Important Information from FEMA’s Hurricane Irma website:
• https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2017/09/05/fema-and-federal-partners-prepare-catastrophic-category-5-hurricane-irma
- Update your disaster kit. Have a three-day supply of non-perishable food, bottled water, a battery-operated radio, flashlight, extra batteries, cash, medicines, first aid kit, pet foods, and important family documents.
- Know your evacuation routes and prepare options for overnight lodging. Storm surge can cut off evacuation routes, so do not delay leaving if an evacuation is ordered for your area. If you encounter floodwaters, remember—turn around, don’t drown.
- Develop an emergency communication plan, which includes a phone number for a family member or friend outside the area—a point of contact—in the event of separation.
- Download the FEMA mobile app (available in English and Spanish) https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app for a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and recovery centers, disaster survival tips, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. The app also enables users to receive push notifications reminding them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters.
Hurricane Irma Coverage
• http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/05/us/hurricane-irma-puerto-rico-florida/index.html
• https://weather.com/storms/hurricane
• http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/09/hurricane_irma_on_florida_trac.html
Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery
• http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/hurricane
• https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4068/updates/hurricane-safety-tips-learn-what-do-during-and-after-hurricane
• https://www.nationwide.com/hurricanes.jsp
• https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
• http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hurricane
• http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hurricane/resources/hurricane-safety_flyer.pdf
• https://weather.com/storms/report-recover
• http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/27/us/hurricane-preparation/index.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/index.html
• http://hurricanesafety.org/prepare/hurricane-safety-checklists
Current Evacuation Routes
• http://www.fdot.gov
• https://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/traffic/live_traffic_feed.html
• http://www.charlottefl.com/stormsurgesearch/Default.aspx
Road Closures and Evacuations
Florida Department of Transportation
800-435-2368
• https://www.flhsmv.gov
• https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/trafficinfo/fl.htm
• https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/hurricane-irma-florida-preps-impacts
Local Red Cross Locator
• http://www.redcross.org/find-your-local-chapter
Red Cross Smartphone Apps
Apps will update people on current flooding situation and provide information on safety during a disaster.
• https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cube.arc.fa&hl=en
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/first-aid-by-american-red/id529160691?mt=8
United Way 2-1-1 Florida
• http://www.211.org/search?zip=&city=miami&state=FL
2-1-1 is an easy to remember phone number that connects callers to information and services in times of need. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even during disasters. Please call if you are seeking resources such as clothing, food or programs for your families.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• http://www.fema.gov
500 C Street Southwest
Washington, DC 20472
800-621-FEMA
If a disaster is declared, please call to apply for assistance by phone, or visit:
• https://www.fema.gov/apply-assistance
Charlotte County Division of Emergency Management
• https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/services/emergencymgmt/Pages/default.aspx
Sarasota County Division of Emergency Management
• https://www.scgov.net/government/emergency-services/emergency-medical-services
Florida Division of Emergency Management
• http://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp
Family Temporary Assistance Program
• http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/access-florida-food-medical-assistance-cash/temporary-assistance-needy-families-tanf-maintenance-effort-moe-resources
Special Needs Assistance
If you have a disability or special need, you may have to take additional steps to protect yourself in an emergency. The local divisions of Emergency Management is cooperating with the State of Florida to register residents with special needs to receive assistance during a disaster.
• https://snr.floridadisaster.org/Signin?client=charlotte
• https://www.scgov.net/government/emergency-services/emergency-management/people-with-special-needs
Local Salvation Army Locator
• http://www.salvationarmyusa.org
Hurricane Preparedness - Preparing for Hurricane Irma
Charlotte County, FL, 9/6/17 – Hurricane Harvey and the subsequent storms and flooding across South Texas and Louisiana served as a reminder of the importance of reviewing your own preparedness. As warnings for Hurricane Irma begin, take action to stock your home and car with emergency supplies and think through your family’s disaster response plan to give yourself some peace of mind before the storm hits.
“Hospitals and our community’s first responders regularly conduct drills to prepare for disasters, and individuals and families can benefit from the same idea,” said Tim Cerullo, CEO, at Bayfront Health Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda. “It’s so much easier to think through the needed details while the weather is good so we’re well-prepared long before we’re in a storm’s path. We encourage our employees and all area residents to take steps now.”
Communications can be challenging during a weather crisis, so it’s important to think ahead. Write down emergency phone numbers and keep them near every phone in your house, program them into your cell phone and have every family member keep a printed copy in their wallet. Establish an emergency point of contact in a different town such as a friend or relative in case phone lines are busy during an emergency.
Know your community so you’re prepared to take action – find out where the nearest shelter is and the different routes you can take to get there. For online materials such as contact lists or maps, take time to print them now. Power outages around a storm can make accessing data online difficult.
Home emergency supplies can help keep you and your family safe and healthy. While store inventories are high and it’s easy to get to and from the store, make sure you have the following basics on hand:
Food and Medicine
- Water – at least 5 gallons per person
- Food supply for 3 to 5 days (like granola bars and canned foods)
- Baby food or formula
- Prescription medicines
Safety Items
- First aid kit and instructions
- Fire extinguisher
- Battery-powered radio
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- Sleeping bags or extra blankets
- Supplies to make drinking water safe (like iodine tablets or chlorine bleach)
Personal Care Products
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet cleaning cloths (like baby wipes)
- Soap
- Tampons and pads
- Diapers
Your car’s emergency kit should include:
- Food that doesn’t go bad (like canned food)
- Flares
- Jumper cables
- Maps and/or GPS in your car or on your smartphone
- Roadside emergency kit
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Flashlight and extra batteries
Heed Public Guidance Monitor what the Mayor and other community leaders are saying in relation to potential storms and be prepared to follow their guidance, whether it’s to evacuate or shelter in place. Our community’s disaster response office has access to the very latest forecasts and they work in concert with state level officials to support and protect our community.
To learn more about our community’s hurricane preparedness, visit www.CharlotteCountyFL.gov and under ‘Departments’ select ‘Emergency Management’.