Tropical Storm Debby Information & Updates

Patients, Families & Visitors | Regional Health Locations | University | Employees | Resources

The Emergency Management team, MUSC, and MUSC Health leadership teams continue to carefully monitor the impacts of Tropical Storm Debby.

MUSC Health Charleston adopted emergency operations at 7 p.m. on Monday, August 5, 2024.
We will move to normal operations at 7 a.m. on Thursday, August 8.

For Patients, Families & Visitors

MUSC Health Clinics

This includes all outpatient locations in the Charleston area and Okatie. For updates on the locations outside of the Charleston area and Okatie, please review the section titled “Regional Health Locations.”

Wednesday, August 7
- Ambulatory (outpatient) clinics will be closed. Appointments will be switched to virtual, if possible, or rescheduled.
Thursday, August 8
- Ambulatory (outpatient) clinics will return to normal operations; however if virtual appointments are preferred, we can accommodate this request. Patients are asked to call regarding a virtual appointment or rescheduling once their clinic re-opens.

Surgeries & Procedures

Operating rooms at our ambulatory locations will be closed on Tuesday, August 6 and Wednesday, August 7. All non-emergent operations will be rescheduled.
We will return to normal operations on Thursday, August 8.
Our ability to conduct surgeries and procedures in our hospitals will remain. We will have care team members in place to serve our patients who may need these services in our hospitals during the storm.
Check your MyChart for any changes.

Visitation

For the safety of our patients and families, visitation is limited at some locations.

MUSC Health Charleston

Two designated supportive care persons may visit and remain in the patient's room. This applies to adult patients and children. Supportive care persons must be over 18 years old.
We will return to normal visitation on Wednesday, August 7 at 7 p.m.

Virtual Urgent Care

MUSC Health offers virtual urgent care services. Appointments are taken from the comfort of home for a flat rate of no more than $45. Go to MUSC.care and click on “Access Virtual Urgent Care,” then “Create Account.” Common conditions that can be treated with virtual care include allergy/hay fever, pink eye, sinus infection, skin rash, sore throat, urinary tract infection, flu, and an additional 40 conditions. Individuals with questions can call MUSC Health Virtual Urgent Care Support at 843-474-1920.

Regional Health Locations

Orangeburg

Visitation limitations began at 7 a.m. August 6. Two people are allowed with only one remaining overnight.
All services will reopen on August 8.

Ambulatory (Outpatient) Operations

All medical practices, including Orthopaedic Urgent Care, Santee Express Care, and Hollings Cancer Center are closed on August 7).
Patients will be rescheduled.
All services will reopen on August 8.

Cardiology

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation is closed on August 7. Patients will be rescheduled.
Outpatient stress tests and echocardiograms have been canceled. Patients will be rescheduled.
All services will reopen on August 8.

Imaging Services

Breast Health is closed August 7 and returns to normal hours of operation on August 8th . Patients will be rescheduled.
All non-emergent outpatient radiology procedures have been canceled for August 7 and will be rescheduled. Normal hours expected to resume on August 8.

HealthPlex

Outpatient Therapy in Orangeburg and Santee will remain closed through August 7 and expected to reopen as normally scheduled on August 8.
All HealthPlex Fitness Centers are closed August 7. Members should not attempt to access these facilities.
All services will reopen on August 8th.

Surgical Services

Open for urgent and emergent cases only: all other procedures and pre-surgical appointments have been rescheduled.
All services will reopen on August 8.

Dialysis Access Institute (DAI)

Regular appointments have been rescheduled.
On-call team on standby for urgent and emergent needs.
All services will reopen on August 8.

Laboratory Services

Outpatient laboratory services at the main hospital and Bamberg-Barnwell Emergency Medical Center (BBEMC) will remain closed on August 7.
All services will reopen on August 8.

Respiratory Care

All sleep studies and pulmonary function tests scheduled for August 7 have been canceled. Patients will be rescheduled.
All services will reopen on August 8.

Dental Care

The College of Dental Medicine may adjust clinic hours of operation and they will communicate their decision directly to their teams and patients.

Midlands

Operating as usual to include the following hospital locations and all associated ambulatory locations
- MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Downtown
- MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Northeast
- MUSC Health Fairfield Emergency and Imaging
- MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center

Catawba

Operating as usual to include the following hospital locations and all associated ambulatory locations
- MUSC Health Lancaster Medical Center
- MUSC Health Chester Medical Center

Pee Dee

Clinics and ambulatory sites will close at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, August 7 and will be closed on Thursday, August 8
- We are perating as usual to include the following hospital locations and all associated ambulatory locations:
  - MUSC Health Florence Medical Center
  - MUSC Health Marion Medical Center
  - MUSC Health Black River Medical Center

Wednesday, August 7: Clinics and ambulatory sites will close at 12 p.m. and will be closed on Thursday, August 8.
Thursday, August 8: All non-emergent operations will be rescheduled.

For University Faculty, Students & Staff

The campus is reopening, Thursday, August 8th and returning to normal business operations.

Student Support Services

The campus, including the MUSC Library, Wellness Center and all University ambulatory clinics will reopen Thursday, August 8th.

Remote Work

While the campus has re-opened, the University is returning to “modified operations” Thursday – all who can return should do so, but for those who are experiencing challenges in returning due to child care or other concerns may continue to work virtually – and to normal operations on Friday. If you have any questions about your schedule, please reach out to your immediate supervisor for guidance.

Clinical Rotations

All students on clinical rotations in any areas affected by the storm must follow the direction of their clinical preceptors.

For Employees

Parking & Shuttle Service

All parking and shuttle service will return to normal operations on Thursday, August 8th.

More Resources

Last Updated: 8/7/24 at 12:15 p.m.