Area hospitals prepare for the worst

By: DONNIE BOYLE - Staff Writer - The Californian

With tens of thousands of residents fleeing the San Diego County fires, Southwest Riverside County's already taxed health care system faces a daunting task ---- treating local patients, while also preparing to accept an unknown number of victims from hospitals being evacuated.

For now, area hospitals are focused on local residents. With Interstate 15 closed south of the Riverside County line, San Diego County hospitals are being forced to evacuate patients elsewhere.

After receiving an evacuation alert Monday afternoon, Fallbrook Hospital sought to move its acute care patients to Southwest Healthcare Systems facilities, said hospital spokeswoman Teresa Fleege. Southwest runs Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar and Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta.

Fleege said just minutes after Southwest agreed to accept the patients, the northern routes to Riverside County were blocked and Fallbrook representatives informed her they would make other arrangements. Fleege said Southwest is prepared to handle evacuated patients and any increase as a result of local emergencies.

"We are willing to do whatever we can to ease the burden," Fleege said. "But at this point, they can't get through to us."

So far, local emergency rooms have experienced only a small increase in patients. Inland Valley treated five patients directly related to the fires, Fleege said.

Menifee Valley Medical Center in Sun City had a couple of fire-related cases in its emergency room, said spokeswoman Terri Ruiter. Both patients were treated for shortness of breath. However, she said the hospital is preparing for an influx of patients if the fires continue.

"We are geared up, and we are ready," Ruiter said.

Ruiter said the hospital is making sure it has the necessary staff and preparation to treat area patients affected by the fires and to cope with any patients evacuated from hospitals in San Diego County.

Ruiter added that the hospital is increasing the frequency of updates to its ReddiNet system. ReddiNet is a computerized system that monitors how many beds and which type of beds are available at each hospital. She said they are updating the system several times per day, so hospitals in the affected areas have a better idea where to send patients.

Officials at area hospitals said they encourage everyone to stay indoors and limit physical activity. Fleege said people with respiratory and heart problems are especially vulnerable during smoky and dusty conditions.

"If you don't absolutely have to go outdoors ---- don't," Ruiter said.

Ruiter said breathing problems are not the only concern in fire-related emergencies. She said any type of traumatic event can cause anxiety, which in turn can cause chest pains and shortness of breath.

Ruiter and Fleege said people should seek help at the first sign of problems.

Contact staff writer Donnie Boyle at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2605

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