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Orlando Health Hurricane Irma Update

Orlando Health Facilities Update

Last update: September 11, 2017 – 2:30 p.m.

2:30 p.m. 9/11/17 Update - Orlando Health facilities to resume normal operations

Orlando Health hospitals and facilities will resume normal operations tomorrow, Tuesday, September 12. Facilities included are Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC), Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, the Orlando Health UF Health Cancer Center, Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, Health Central Hospital, South Lake Hospital, and South Seminole Hospital. All scheduled surgeries and procedures will occur as planned. Patients who are unable to keep their appointments, should contact their physician’s office as soon as possible.

The reopening of some Orlando Health physician practices may be delayed due to hurricane damage. Practices include Orlando Health Physician Group and Physician Associates. Patients should contact their physician’s office to determine operating hours.

Valet service will also resume normal operations.

10:00 a.m. 9/11/17 Update - Orlando Health facilities lock down has been lifted

Lock down at all Orlando Health facilities were lifted effective 10 am, Monday, September 11. Individuals exempt from county curfews, such as first responders, emergency personnel, and those working in a healthcare facility, may enter and exit Orlando Health hospitals as they normally do. County curfews remain in effect for others until lifted by each county.

12:46 p.m. 9/10/17 Update - Orlando Health facilities to go on lock down

All Orlando Health facilities will go on lock down at 5:00 pm, Sunday, September 10 to allow patients who are being discharged, guests, and team members, safe passage home or to other accommodations before county curfews become effective. Should county curfew times change, we will adjust our lock down schedule accordingly. A lock down means that all entry and exit points will be inaccessible except in emergent situations.

The lock down applies to Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC), Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, the Orlando Health UF Health Cancer Center, Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, Health Central Hospital, South Lake Hospital and South Seminole Hospital. Hospitals cannot be treated as storm shelters. Individuals who don’t plan to remain or are not required to remain in the hospitals for the duration of Hurricane Irma should plan to exit the facilities by 5:00 pm.

9/7/17 3:00 p.m. Update

Orlando Health facilities, including our medical practices – Physician Associates (see page 2 for list of offices), Orlando Health Physician Group and Orlando Health UF Health Cancer Center – are open for business as usual today, Friday, September 8. Offices normally open on Saturdays will be open tomorrow. All scheduled visits and/or procedures will occur as planned. Outpatient offices will be closed Monday, September 11.

All elective surgeries and procedures at Orlando Health hospitals will occur as scheduled through Saturday. However, only emergency surgeries and procedures will occur on Sunday and Monday, September 9 & 10.

Orlando Health will activate Incident Command at 5:00 a.m. Sunday and the Hospital Emergency Response Team (HERT) at 7:00 a.m. Sunday, September 10.

Emergency care is always available pending accessibility due to weather.

Information for Expectant Moms

Patient safety and security is our top priority. We recommend the following for expectant moms who are concerned about experiencing false labor or true labor while Central Florida is being impacted by Hurricane Irma:

  • Moms-to-be should contact their private physician for advice about their specific condition. He or she is the most knowledgeable about their circumstances and will be able to make personalized recommendations or contact the hospital to discuss specific options.
  • If they are experiencing a medical emergency while it is still safe to travel, Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies’ triage department will evaluate them and determine the best treatment options. Patient admission, discharge, and/or departure will depend on medical and weather conditions at that time.
  • Pregnant women delivering at or near Orlando Health South Lake Hospital can come to the Center for Women’s Health at South Lake Hospital’s Triage Department for evaluation by our Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies physicians, who are located on the Orlando Health South Lake Hospital campus. 
  • Patient admission, discharge, and/or departure will depend on medical and weather conditions at that time.
  • If they are in imminent labor or other medical distress during peak storm conditions, they should call 911.
  • Before venturing out on area roadways, patients should make sure they are safe and obey any curfews that may be implemented.

Information About Valet Service

Valet service at Orlando Health facilities will operate in concert with hospital operations. There will be no valet services Sunday or Monday, September 10 – 11.

Please know that Orlando Health is in continuous communication with the national weather service, which enables us to make the best decisions possible.

*Times subject to change based on weather conditions.