Patients move to new hospital next week in Heredia

Mike McDonald July 2, 2010

The Costa Rican Red Cross announced on Wednesday that it will help move patients and equipment next week from the Costa Rican Social Security System’s old hospital in Heredia, north of the capital, to the city’s new state-of-the-art facility (TT, May 28).

Next Thursday and Friday, the Red Cross will send 60 ambulances and 100 staff members and volunteers to help patients check in to the new hospital, only 500 meters away.

People under intensive care and special-risk patients will be moved first in ambulances with advanced support units. Traffic Police will escort the ambulances to ensure a fluid transfer.

Red Cross personnel will keep a count of patients who enter the new hospital and remain present in both hospitals until the transfer is complete.

Members from the San José Red Cross and the Alajuela unit, northwest of San José, will join Heredia Red Cross workers in the transfer.