News

Wailuku, Maui, HI (August 16, 2021) – Maui Memorial Medical Center (MMMC) continues to experience an increase in COVID-19 positive admissions. Today, we are caring for 39 COVID-19 positive patients with seven in intensive care and four on a ventilator. Of these 39 patients, 51% are 59 years of age and younger. This is the largest number of COVID-19 admissions we have experienced throughout the pandemic. The dedication of our caregivers is inspiring – their work is exhausting, and the pace has been especially busy. While our Emergency Operations Center (EOC) team is working around the clock to ensure our employees are supported, we ask for our communities help in slowing the spread and reducing hospitalizations by getting vaccinated.

Many initiatives are in place to support our employees, including extra clinical help MMMC is to receive next week with the arrival of several rapid response nurses and respiratory therapists. This will provide much-needed relief for our COVID-19 caregivers. In addition, many safeguards continue to be in place including restricted visitation, universal N95 mask use, regular COVID-19 testing for employees and patients, and the recent announcement of the Maui Health vaccine policy that will require all eligible employees to be fully vaccinated by October 1.

As a reminder to our community if non-life-threatening care is needed, such as suspected broken bones, wound care, allergies or flu, Maui Health’s Kula Hospital critical access hospital and emergency room is an option for care. Kula Hospital emergency room (ER) offers x-ray and laboratory services, and can take care of splinting, suturing, and wound care, as well as administer IV fluids and medications. There is a physician on staff in the ER 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The hospital has an on-site laboratory and limited diagnostic imaging capabilities, so you can be treated for broken bones, infections, and other medical needs and health concerns without having to drive to Wailuku for care. Wait times for the Kula Hospital ER are mostly minimal. However, if you are in need of ambulance transport or require immediate care for a heart attack or stroke, as an example, please use the MMMC ER. Please note that the Kula Hospital ER or operator is not able to provide medical advice over the phone. Medical questions should be directed to your primary care physician and insurance questions to your insurance carrier.

We also encourage our community to access COVID-19 testing at community testing sites. Please remember MMMC emergency department is not a community testing site. If you need a COVID-19 test, please visit www.HawaiiCOVID19.com/testing for more information.

The MMMC vaccine clinic is open, and we encourage all eligible residents to walk-in and receive your vaccine during our regular hours: Mondays/Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on vaccine safety and frequently asked questions, please visit www.mauihealth.org/covidvaccine.

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About Maui Health

Maui Health, aka Maui Health System, community hospitals and associated clinics affiliated with Kaiser Permanente, includes Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital, Lanai Community Hospital and associated clinics, and serves the people of Maui and Lanai. The facilities under Maui Health employ more than 1500 Maui County residents, partner with over 460 hospital-based physicians, clinicians, and community-based primary and specialty physicians, and are open to all patients regardless of health insurance coverage. Maui Health is committed to delivering high quality, affordable, patient-centered health care and improving the health of the community. Maui Health is supported by Kaiser Permanente’s industry-leading technology systems, evidence-based medicine and nationally recognized care quality. For more information, visit mauihealth.org.