CLEARLAKE, Calif. – St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, which was evacuated on Sunday and closed temporarily due to the Clayton fire, will resume patient care services at 7 a.m. Wednesday.
On Tuesday the California Department of Public Health cleared the hospital to resume service after a full survey of the hospital facility and all operations, according to hospital spokeswoman Cambria Wheeler.
Wheeler said the hospital did not sustain any damage in the fire and will be fully staffed to provide patient care in all areas, including the emergency department.
“We are able to open the hospital to the community thanks to the incredible work of first responders, hospital staff, our many partners and CDPH,” said David Santos, the hospital's president and chief executive officer. “We are proud to continue our mission of sharing God’s love through mental, physical and spiritual healing in this resilient community as we rebuild together.”
The hospital, which is located within the evacuation area on 18th Avenue in Clearlake, received evacuation orders from fire officials at approximately 2:35 p.m. Sunday and 17 patients were evacuated to Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport, as Lake County News has reported.
Wheeler said hospital incident command remained on-site with staff to monitor safety and prepare to resume service.
In total, patient care service at the hospital will have been interrupted for approximately 64 hours during the Clayton Fire evacuation, Wheeler reported.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital spokeswoman Morgen Wells said that hospital absorbed 15 patients from St. Helena on Sunday.
“The California Department of Public Health approved surge capacity to accommodate the influx of patients, however, we are back to normal inpatient census,” she said.
As for impacts from the fire and St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake's temporary closure, Wells noted, “We have noticed increased utilization of our Emergency Department and have responded with the appropriate increase of staff. Providers, nurses, ancillary services, and support staff are all contributing to the increased need, and we continue to prioritize quality care.”
Four of St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake’s primary care clinics opened as scheduled beginning Monday to provide care to the community, including Clayton fire evacuees, Wheeler said. Additional outpatient services, including physical therapy and cardiopulmonary care, also welcomed patients.
The Konocti Wellness Center located on the campus of Lower Lake High School remains closed, Wheeler said.
“St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake plays an important role in in the health of our county,” said Lake County Health Officer Karen Tait, MD. “There was fantastic cooperation between our two local hospitals to safely care for patients during this emergency. Having St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake back in service will be a welcome return to normal access to care.”