JFL Limits Emergency Room Visits, Grants Administrative Leave Following Drainage Issue

ST. CROIX — The executive management of the Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center (JFL) activated an internal code yellow Monday evening after part of JFL’s drainage system became compromised mid-day Monday, the hospital announced late Monday.

As a result, hospital executives have been working tirelessly to maintain a safe environment of care, according to the release.

Some of the sewage drain lines on the first floor were compromised, and JFL’s administration was notified about the drainage system issue shortly after 12:00 p.m. Monday, reads the release. It goes on to say that the executive team worked aggressively to resolve the issue, and when it was determined that additional resources were necessary, the hospital officials initiated a code yellow at 5:50 p.m.

JFL’s emergency response team was activated, and the executive consulted with a local contractor to determine the next steps to address the drainage issue. The affected areas include the restrooms in the Emergency Department (ED), and other areas adjacent to the ED, according to the release.

Both the Department of Public Works and Waste Management Authority had a team on the ground assessing the situation, and VITEMA Director Mona Barnes was also on hand to provide support, the release adds. In the interim, JFL’s facilities team continues to collaborate with local agencies and professional experts to diagnose the problem and develop the plan of action. The staff has been directed to utilize other restrooms on site and visitors to the ED were provided with alternative accommodations. Visiting hours will be limited Tuesday morning to minimize the traffic, and the hospital’s non-essential employees will be granted administrative leave to help limit the demand on the sewage system.

The hospital apologized for any inconvenience the issue may have caused, and wants to assure the community that at no time was patient safety compromised, and the team is working swiftly to resolve this issue.