CLMMRH Partners with Private Hospitals Ahead of Emergency Department Renovation

The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH), a government medical facility, announced plans to renovate its Emergency Department (ED), starting September 28, aiming to enhance space utilization, patient comfort, and overall operational efficiency.

Dr. Joan Cerrada, Medical Officer II at CLMMRH, explained that the extensive three to four-month renovation would temporarily reduce emergency service capacity but ultimately result in a modernized facility. "With the closure of the emergency department, we aim to provide a more comfortable and improved facility. We ask for the public's understanding as there will be challenges and changes in our patient care processes," she said.

During the renovation, the hospital will operate a temporary ED with 18 beds located at the Outpatient Department, supplemented by 4-5 holding areas within the Mother and Child Building, accommodating an additional 45 to 50 beds.

To prepare for the transition, CLMMRH will conduct a dry run on September 20 to identify potential issues and implement alternative solutions. Beginning September 28, the hospital will adopt the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) to prioritize emergency cases. Priority will be given to CTAS categories 1 and 2, along with trauma patients, including those with severe respiratory conditions, major trauma, or cardiac arrest.

Patients classified under CTAS 3 will be admitted based on bed availability, while CTAS 4 and 5 cases will be redirected to partner hospitals. "It is possible that patients may be referred to other hospitals with available emergency room capacity," Dr. Cerrada noted.

In support of this effort, CLMMRH recently signed a memorandum of agreement with six prominent private hospitals in Bacolod City: Riverside Medical Center, The Doctors' Hospital, Bacolod Adventist Medical Center, South Bacolod General Hospital, Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital, and Metro Bacolod Hospital and Medical Center. This collaboration aims to facilitate seamless patient referrals and ensure continuous emergency care during the renovation.

Dr. Cerrada highlighted the urgency of the renovation, citing the crowded and malfunctioning state of the current emergency room, including defective air conditioning. The renovation project has a budget of approximately PHP 92 million, allocated solely for facility upgrades; procurement of new equipment is not included. The selected contractor for the project is Durabuild Construction.