Valley hospitals prepare for Dolly

With extra medical supplies, power generators, flashlights and trained personnel at the ready, the region's hospitals are prepared for Dolly if it makes landfall here, officials said Monday.

Hospital officials said they're implementing the facilities' emergency plans, which include stocking up on additional supplies, designating nurses and doctors to be on hand during the storm and testing power generators.

"We're prepared to be totally self sufficient for 72 hours plus," said John Rustick, associate administrator at Doctor's Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg. The facility has 22 generators powered by diesel and natural gas, plenty of food and medical supplies, Rustick said.

At Valley Baptist Health System facilities, administrators have ordered extra food, water, batteries and supplies, said spokeswoman Teri Retana. Valley Baptist-Harlingen has five generators, she said.

Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville has enough medical supplies and food to last roughly for 7 to 10 days, said spokeswoman Robin Brechot.

Administrators at Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco are reviewing the facility's emergency plan and ordering supplies, said spokeswoman Maggie Halaby.

Officials said it's unlikely that patients will have to be evacuated if Dolly strikes, but if evacuations become necessary, the facilities will coordinate with cities and counties.

Hospitals are required to have an emergency plan, along with an evacuation plan, to be licensed, said Tom Hushen, administrator of the Rio Grande Valley Trauma Regional Advisory Council, last year after Hurricane Dean hit the Gulf Coast.