By CESAR JOLITO III
The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) is tightening its surge protocols after recording an unusual rise in referrals of leptospirosis patients — many of them moderate to severe cases, mostly from southern Negros Occidental — as it prioritizes severe cases.
In an advisory issued on Saturday, November 22, the regional hospital reported eight leptospirosis admissions — a sharp jump from its usual monthly average of zero to two cases.
Hospital management said CLMMRH has begun preparing dedicated adult and pediatric wards to ensure safe and timely treatment amid the uptick.
Referring hospitals and health centers were also reminded to coordinate closely with the CLMMRH Operations Center and follow proper patient transfer protocols.
“As the apex hospital of the Negros Island Region, CLMMRH is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care, especially during surge situations,” the advisory said.
“We request continued understanding and cooperation as we manage bed capacity and ensure timely care,” it added.
The hospital said it remains fully operational amid ongoing renovation works and the surge in leptospirosis referrals.
“We will continue to serve the people with efficiency and compassion,” the management added.
Operates under temporary ER
The spike in leptospirosis cases comes at a challenging time for CLMMRH, which has been operating with a temporary emergency room since September due to the ongoing P92-million renovation of its main ER.
Hospital chief Dr. Joan Cerrada earlier said the renovation would take three months, prompting the setup of an interim ER with around 18 beds in the outpatient department waiting area.
Additional holding areas at the Mother and Child Building can accommodate 45 to 50 patients.
Under the current setup, CLMMRH continues to implement strict triage protocols following the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS):
* Critical and trauma cases (CTAS 1 to 2, priority CTAS 3) are admitted immediately when beds are available
* Stable cases (CTAS 3 to 5) may be redirected to private partner hospitals when capacity is exceeded
Walk-in patients will undergo triage at the temporary ER.
Referred patients are routed through the CLMMRH Operations Center and the Integrated Hospital Operations Monitoring System bed tracker system for hospital matching.
Patients initially treated at private hospitals may be transferred to CLMMRH once stable and when beds open up.
The rise in leptospirosis cases follows recent floods in parts of Negros Occidental — a trend public health officials have been monitoring closely, as exposure to contaminated floodwater significantly increases infection risk.
CLMMRH advised communities and local health facilities to remain vigilant and ensure early detection and treatment of suspected cases./CJ, WDJ