ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In preparation for possible impacts from Hurricane Ian, hospitals in low-lying areas across the Tampa Bay area are taking necessary precautions to keep their patients safe.
HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital transported 40 patients to its Trinity location. The hospital, located in St. Petersburg, is in Zone A — a mandatory evacuation zone. As of Monday evening, the doors were locked to the hospital and no one will be allowed back in until Hurricane Ian passes and it's safe.
The patients that were transported were each at the hospital for different reasons, from surgery, cardiac, pulmonary to sepsis.
HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital is not the only hospital taking the steps to help their patients. Morton Plant in Clearwater also began transferring patients to other hospitals before the hospital closes Tuesday.
At this time, Tampa General Hospital has no plan to evacuate despite being on the water. However, there are floodgates surrounding the hospital's doors.
Bay Pine VA Healthcare systems on Tuesday transferred all 142 of its residents and inpatients to various locations including the, Tampa VA Healthcare System, Orlando VA Healthcare System, North Florida/South Georgia VA Healthcare System, West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System and Miami VA Healthcare System.