HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Several typhoons have come and gone since Guam Memorial Hospital was built decades ago, but it wasn’t until Typhoon Mawar hit that the hospital has had to deal with the lingering effects of mold. And because of this, standard operating procedures were never developed to address it.
“(The Guam Memorial Hospital Authority) has never experienced a mold issue like the one caused by Typhoon Mawar,” GMHA spokesperson Cindy Hanson told The Guam Daily Post.
Typhoon Mawar brought significant rain and wind to the hospital. Water flowed from the windows, ceiling, stairs and elevators during the storm, according to Hanson.
The conditions were ripe for mold, which reportedly was found in various areas of the hospital.
An industrial hygienist was brought in to conduct an assessment of the mold, which included samples of mold cultures and air quality analysis.
GMH Administrator Lillian Perez-Posadas confirmed the results were received Nov. 2.
“We received the report, however, our infection control and safety team needs to review and discuss the findings,” Perez-Posadas said on Nov. 2.
Four days later, Perez-Posadas said, “The report is still a draft and our team continues to meet with the industrial hygienist for clarification and finalization of the report.”
In other districts where mold has been detected in hospitals, special standard operating procedures are enacted until the eradication of the mold.
The Guam Daily Post asked Hanson if the hospital had an emergency plan in place to address continued care or had a need to evacuate patients until mold is eradicated in high-risk environments. It appears there is no specific plan relative to patient care and evacuation in response to mold.
“However, there is an evacuation plan in place for disasters that affect GMHA, which would be used should the mold issue reach a declared disaster. The water damage from Typhoon Mawar has exasperated mold to grow. Thus, we are waiting. We are awaiting the expertise and recommendations from the industrial hygienist for the most effective way to permanently remove the mold,” Hanson said.
As of last week, the plan continued to be finalized by the industrial hygienist.
“Once completed, it will be reviewed and approved by the GMHA executives and the board of trustees,” Hanson said.
The hospital declined to provide details of the mold analysis report or the plan to address the issue.
“Once approved, the plan will become a public document available for view,” Hanson said.
Guam Memorial Hospital in Tamuning is seen Nov. 6, 2019, in an aerial view.
