Massachusetts General Hospital

Marathon patients update (as of Tuesday 5/21, 4:00 p.m.)

One patient is currently being treated at Mass General, and the patient
is in good condition.




Marathon patients update (as of Friday 5/3, 12:00 p.m.)

There is currently one patient being treated at Mass General. That patient
is in good condition.




Marathon patients update (as of Wednesday 5/1, 11:00 a.m.)

There are 6 patients currently being treated at Mass General. All 6
patients are in good condition.




Marathon patients update (as of Monday 4/29, 9:00 a.m.)

There are 6 patients currently being treated at Mass General.

Good condition: 3
Fair condition: 2
Serious condition: 1




Marathon patients update (as of Thursday 4/25, 1:30 p.m.)

Updated numbers*

Good condition: 2
Fair condition: 4
Serious condition: 1

*Note of correction: There are 7 patients currently being treated at Mass General (not 6).




Marathon patients update (as of Wednesday 4/24, 4:45 p.m.)

The numbers from yesterday's post below (4/23, 2:20 p.m.) are still current.




Marathon patients update (as of Tuesday 4/23, 2:20 p.m.)

Mass General is currently treating 6 patients.
Good condition: 2
Fair condition: 3
Serious condition: 1

1 discharge today
2 transfers to rehab today




Marathon patients update (as of Monday 4/22, 3:00 p.m.)

Mass General is currently treating 9 patients.
Good condition: 5
Fair condition: 3
Serious condition: 1*

*The change does not reflect a downgrade, but rather a more accurate description of one patient's condition.




Marathon patients update (as of Sunday 4/21, 12:00 p.m.)

Mass General is currently treating 9 patients.
Fair condition: 5
Good condition: 4




Marathon patients update (as of Saturday 4/20, 11:00 a.m.)

Mass General is currently treating 10 patients.
Fair condition: 5
Good condition: 5




Emergency situation update:

Friday 4/19, 10:40 p.m.
 
As most of you have heard, the second suspect from Monday’s Marathon bombing is now in custody. There had been some speculation by the media that he was going to be brought to Mass General, but we can confirm he is not being treated at our hospital.
 
The hospital is operating normally. And, as reported earlier, the MBTA has resumed operations and the shelter-in-place order has been lifted.
 
Thanks to all MGH employees for your extraordinary efforts in what has been an extremely difficult week.
 
Ann Prestipino
Incident Commander




Marathon patients update (as of Friday 4/19, 8:00 p.m.)
The MGH is currently treating 10 patients.
Serious: 3
Fair: 6
Good: 1




Emergency situation update:

Friday 4/19, 7:40 p.m.
Gov. Deval Patrick has announced that limited service on MBTA subway and buses has been restored as of 6 pm today. Commuter rail service is expected to resume tomorrow. Staff should visit mbta.com for specific schedule information. 

In addition, public officials have announced that the shelter-in-place order has been lifted for all affected communities. As of 7:15 pm, one of the two Marathon bombing suspects still remains at large, and law enforcement requests that all individuals remain vigilant as this situation continues to evolve. Call 911 to report any suspicious activity or contact the FBI Tips line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) and choose prompt #3. 

The MGH will be open and fully operational Saturday. As a precaution, we will restrict all access to the hospital to the Main Lobby Entrance until further notice. Normal weekend parking will be in effect.

The Chelsea Urgent Care Center will be open tomorrow from 8 am to 8 pm.

We want to extend our deepest appreciation to the entire hospital community for your patience and understanding during this highly unusual time. 

Ann Prestipino
Incident Commander

Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, DNP
Senior Vice President for Patient Care and Chief Nurse

Jeff Davis
Senior Vice President
Human Resources




Friday 4/19, 5:40 p.m.
Many thanks to the employees who made themselves available this afternoon as part of the labor pool. At this time, the labor pool has closed and there is no additional need.

Steve Taranto
Director of Human Resources
Labor Pool Manager




Friday 4/19, 5:10 p.m.

Clarification to previous update
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has stated that the shelter-in-place order allows employees and visitors who can drive home from work to do so. Homeland Security has advised that those who came into work in Boston today can drive home.

MEMA has asked the institution to continue all other aspects of the shelter-in-place.

All patients have now left the Blum Center, which was used as a discharge lounge. This area is now closed.

Ann Prestipino
Incident Commander




Friday 4/19, 4:15 p.m.

Getting to and from work
Because this situation remains unresolved, it is not known at this time whether the MBTA will be open tomorrow. If it is closed, this will present transportation problems for many employees. Those scheduled to work Saturday may receive a call from their supervisor inquiring about their ability to get to work. Plans are being developed to use Partners shuttle buses to pick up employees at MBTA stops if necessary.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has stated that the shelter in place order allows employees and visitors who can drive home from work to do so, provided they do not live in the city of Boston or the other restricted areas. MEMA has asked the institution to continue all other aspects of the shelter in place.

Labor pool
The labor pool has been open since early this afternoon. Many staff have gathered there and been deployed to areas in need. We will continue to assess staffing needs and we will make a decision shortly about how many day shift employees should remain at the hospital.

Sleep accommodations/personal care items
The Materials Management Office is coordinating sleeping arrangements for staff. Call x6-9144 to reserve a bed. If you reserve a bed and later do not need the space please call to cancel the reservation. Hospital staff members should not use patient rooms for sleeping to ensure that there is no negative impact to patient placement and safe care delivery.

Distribution of personal care items – soap, toothbrushes, towels and scrubs – for individuals staying overnight has moved to the Materials Management Customer Service area in Lunder LL 020-A.

Food service
The Eat Street Cafe is open until 8 pm. Coffee Central will operate on its normal 24-hour schedule. Because of staffing issues, Nutrition and Food Service is not able to take Catering orders or deliver food to anyone other than patients.

Discharge lounges
The Blum Center continues to be open as a discharge lounge, staffed by nurses and social workers. All outpatients have now left Tea Leaves and Coffee Beans and that area has closed.

Correction
The Chelsea Urgent Care is not open today.




Friday 4/19, 2:00 p.m.
MGH employees scheduled to work today’s evening and night shifts should report to work if they can. Always consider your own safety and take into account the advice given by local officials about the situation in your area. You must have your MGH ID badge to enter the hospital. Be prepared to show your ID to authorities as you arrive and use the Main (White) Entrance. All other entrances are locked.

The MBTA remains closed until further notice. Employees who can drive to work are asked to park in the Lomasney, North Station or Government Center garages. Expenses for parking will be reimbursed. For those who arrive after 4 pm, parking is available in the front garages.

All Partners Shuttle service will resume at 2 pm. To ride the shuttle, you must have an MGH or Partners ID badge. The hospital will reimburse employees who use a taxi to go home or come to work if they provide a dated receipt.

Be aware that the hospital is at 100 percent capacity with many family and visitors also with us. Therefore, as evening staff arrives, it will be up to the discretion of each nursing director or department head to determine how many employees who have stayed over from last night and the day shift should remain at the hospital. Those employees currently at the hospital who worked the night shift last night or the day shift today should check with their supervisors before they leave.

Ann Prestipino
Incident Commander

Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, DNP
Senior Vice President for Patient Care And Chief Nurse

Jeff Davis
Senior Vice President
Human Resources




Friday 4/19, 1:00 p.m.
We are continuing to monitor the ongoing situation in Boston and the surrounding area. The directive from state officials to shelter in place remains in effect in the city of Boston (especially Allston and Brighton), Watertown, Newton, Waltham, Belmont, Cambridge, Brookline. Please remember, there are no specific threats to the MGH.

The MGH has notified patients who are ready to be discharged and live in one of the affected areas that they should remain in the hospital. Staff will escort them to a designated area.

Discharged patients who do not live in an affected area can leave the hospital if they feel comfortable and have adequate transportation. Hospital employees are available to help with arrangements.

As a reminder, all afternoon outpatient appointments on the main campus have been cancelled.




Friday 4/19, 10:15 a.m.
The situation related to the apprehension of the Marathon bombing suspects continues to evolve. At this time, the directive from the governor, mayor and law enforcement officials to shelter in place remains in effect in the city of Boston and in Watertown, Cambridge, Waltham, Newton and Belmont.  If you are at home now, please follow the directive to stay home. Please remember, there are no specific threats to the MGH.

Access to the MGH has been restricted to the Main (White) Entrance. Only staff with an MGH ID are allowed to enter the hospital at this time. In the Charlestown Navy Yard, Buildings 62 and 114 are closed. Entrance to Building 149 is restricted to the main entrance for staff with an MGH ID.

Patients who are ready for discharge are advised to remain at the hospital. Many have already been taken to Tea Leaves and Coffee Beans on the ground floor of the Wang Building. That area has filled quickly, and the Blum Center has been set up as a second site and is now receiving patients and families. We will set up a third site if needed.

All outpatient appointments on the main campus that had been scheduled for any time after noon today have been canceled. Staff in those practices are being asked to contact those patients and reschedule appointments; patients may also be calling in to reschedule. We ask that these appointments be made in as timely a fashion as possible.  Ambulatory staff who are currently at the hospital are requested to remain on site.  All MGH community health care centers are closed. MassGeneral West is closed. Chelsea Urgent Care is open.  The MassGeneral/North Shore Center for Outpatient Care is open. 

All MBTA service -- including subway, bus and commuter rail -- has been suspended. The Partners shuttle service and taxi service remain suspended until further notice. Staff members who drove in today and parked in one of the local garages will be reimbursed with a receipt.

The Materials Management Office is coordinating sleeping arrangements for staff. Call x6-9144 to reserve a bed. If you reserve a bed and later do not need the space please call to cancel the reservation. Personal care items (toothbrushes, towels, etc.) for those staff staying overnight may be picked up at the Materials Management Customer Service Center in the Gray Basement (GRB 020). Sleeping accommodations will be available beginning at 10 am.  Hospital staff members should not use patient rooms for sleeping to ensure that there is no negative impact to patient placement and safe care delivery.

At this time, the MGH is not reimbursing employees for hotel costs they incur if they decide to get a room nearby. The Wydham Beacon Hill (formerly Holiday Inn) is offering a reduced rate of $199 for MGH employees. Call 617-742-0461 for reservations. The Liberty Hotel is offering a reduced rate of $149 for MGH employees. Call 617-224-4000 and ask for the Partners/MGH rate.

All Partners Child Care Center locations are closed. The Institute of Health Professions is closed. The Clubs at Charles River Park and the Russell Museum are closed.

The safety of all our employees, patients and their families remains our highest priority. The hospital has established its incident command center, and hospital leadership is following the situation closely and making decisions as appropriate. This situation continues to be quite dynamic, and we will provide you with updates or modifications as issues unfold.  In the meantime, please continue to follow the direction of public officials.  Thank you for your cooperation. 

Ann Prestipino
Incident Commander




Friday 4/19, 8:40 a.m.
Gov. Deval Patrick, Mayor Thomas Menino, Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis have ordered all people in the city of Boston to shelter in place.

There are no threats specific to the MGH.

If you are at home, please follow the governor’s directive and stay home.

If you are anywhere on campus now and you need to move to another building on campus, make sure you have your ID badge.

The MBTA has suspended service for the entire day. Taxi service and the Partners shuttle service has been suspended.

The safety of all MGH employees, patients and their families is our highest priority. We will continue to provide updates. In the meantime, we ask that all follow the direction of public officials.

Ann Prestipino
MGH Incident Commander




Friday 4/19, 8:11 a.m.
The MBTA has suspended service pending further notice. They are asking patrons not to wait at bus and T station stops.

Thursday 4/18, 4:00 p.m.
We have an adjusted count on the number of total patients that have been seen at the MGH as a result of the Marathon bombings to include additional patients who were seen at MGH after the initial influx. The total number is 39.

Patient numbers (11 patients are still admitted):
Serious - 5
Fair - 6




Thursday 4/18, 9:04 a.m.
Updated marathon patient numbers (11 patients are still admitted):
Serious - 5
Fair - 6

 


Wednesday 4/17, 11:20 a.m.
The MGH would like to provide updated marathon patient numbers:
Critical condition - 4
Serious - 4
Fair - 3
Discharged - 1

MGH/BWH Shuttle Update
Please be advised, the shuttle between MGH and BWH continues to operate with an alternate route. We are currently unable to service the shuttle stop at the Prudential due to the street closures. We are expecting to experience significant delays as the traffic restrictions continue in the Copley area.

All other shuttle routes are operating on a normal schedule. Please contact 617-726-2250 for all shuttle inquiries.




Tuesday 4/16, 6:00 p.m.
We would like to provide an update on the amount of patients who have been seen at the MGH as a result of the Boston Marathon explosions. 31 patients were seen (12 of them were admitted, 10 were treated and released and nine were treated from the medical walk-in).




Tuesday 4/16, 11:00 a.m.

We want to thank everyone for their efforts in the wake of yesterday's devastating events during the Boston Marathon. It was an extremely difficult day for Boston, for the MGH and for the many people affected by the tragedy. Here at the MGH, we treated 31 patients, 10 who have been released at this time.

Please know that although we do expect some delays, all clinical areas and all MGH health centers are open for business as usual today and we anticipate seeing a full range of patients.

Partners shuttle service
Please plan extra time when using the Partners shuttle service. They are using alternate routes which is resulting in delays. Currently, the Prudential is open and can be accessed by the Huntington Street exit. For further shuttle inquiries, call 617-726-2250.

MGH Blood Donor Center
The outpouring of support from MGHers who wish to help in the wake of yesterday's tragic events has been overwhelming. We thank you and appreciate your willingness to lend a hand and desire to make a difference. Many have already visited the MGH Blood Donor Center, or planned to donate sometime this week. However, those interested in helping by donating blood at the MGH can be of greatest benefit by marking their calendar to donate instead either one or two weeks from today. Because blood is stored, it is important to replace supplies over the course of time. We know from the 9/11 experience that when too many donors give blood too soon that it unbalances the system. Staff at the Blood Donor Center will be happy to schedule an appointment for later April or in May. The MGH also is well-supported by the American Red Cross and those interested in donated to the Red Cross should be sure to call first in order to not overwhelm their capacity.

Heightened security
You may notice a heightened security presence throughout the institution in the coming day, including outside law enforcement. These are part of city-wide measures and there is no specific threat to the MGH. The extra police presence is there to ensure our staff, patients and their families feel secure while they are here.

Thank you for your continued support. Please continue to monitor this page for additional updates.



Monday 4/15, 8:20 p.m.
The MGH has seen 29 patients related to the Boston Marathon explosion today. Eight of the 29 are in critical condition.




Monday 4/15, 7:20 p.m.
At this time, the MGH can confirm we are treating 22 patients related to the Boston Marathon explosion. Eight of those patients are in critical condition. We can also confirm none of the 22 patients are pediatric (18 and younger). The injuries range from cuts and bruises to amputations. 

Please continue to monitor this page for additional updates.




Monday 4/15, 5:22 p.m.
At this time, the MGH is treating 22 patients (6 in critical condition, 5 in serious condition and the remaining patients are undergoing evaluations.

We have assessed staffing needs and have determined all day shift employees may leave, except those who have been notified by their supervisor or manager that they should remain at work.

The MBTA is running, however please note that the Green Line has terminated service between Kenmore and Park Street stations and has temporarily suspended B- and C-Line service. The Orange and Red Line service will bypass Downtown Crossing Station.

Please note that we have received reports that cell phone towers are overwhelmed due to heavy call volume and some cell phones are not working at this time.

The MGH Incident Command System team is continuing to work closely with local officials and we will continue to send updates as more information is available.




Additional Resources
Mass. Dept. of Public Health

Mass. Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)

City of Boston Office of Emergency Management

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)

Ready.gov