Editor’s Note: This article will continue to be updated with new information about the ongoing situation. For the most up-to-date information about impacts to VCU Health and VCU, head to the VCU Alert page. There, you can also sign up to receive text messages with the latest updates. (Last updated: Jan. 8, 5:00 p.m.) 

By Sara McCloskey 

Like many in the Richmond region, VCU Health is experiencing the impacts of a major city water disruption. 

There are several operational changes impacting appointments and services for Thursday, Jan. 9: 

Ambulatory Clinics:

The following ambulatory clinics in the follow locations are open: 

• Baird Vascular Institute (Richmond) 
• VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital (South Hill) 
• Short Pump Pavilion, Greengate, Mayland, Pembrook and Ridgefield (Henrico County)
• Chesterfield Meadows (Chesterfield County)
• Fredericksburg Multispecialty Center and nearby clinics (Fredericksburg)
• VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital and nearby clinics (Tappahannock)
• Colonial Heights and Tri-cities  VCU Health at William & Mary (North Henry Street, Williamsburg) – The second floor open; first floor closed. 

The following ambulatory clinics are closed:  

• Adult Outpatient Pavilion (Richmond)
• Nelson Clinic (Richmond)
• Ambulatory Care Center (Richmond)
• Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU’s Children’s Pavilion (Richmond)
• Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU's Brook Road Pavilion outpatient services (Richmond)
• Virginia Treatment Center for Children outpatient services (Richmond) 
• Jackson Center (Richmond)
• Hayes E. Willis Health Center (Richmond)
• VCU Sports Medicine (Richmond)
• Stony Point Campus (Richmond)  

Elective Diagnostic Testing and Procedures:

The following locations for elective diagnostic testing and procedures are open:  

• Short Pump Pavilion (Henrico County)

The following locations for elective diagnostic testing and procedures are closed: 

• VCU Medical Center is closed, except for North Hospital (PET, Interventional Radiology, Adult and Pedi Cath Lab, EP Lab, and Radiation Oncololgy)
• Stony Point (Radiology, Endoscopy, etc.)
• Hanover Medical (Radiation Oncology)

Elective Surgical Procedures: 

The following surgical procedure locations are open: 

• Short Pump Pavilion’s Ambulatory Surgical Center 

The following surgical procedure locations are closed: 

• VCU Medical Center’s Main 5
• Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU
• Ambulatory Care Center

Infusion:

The following locations for infusions are open: 

• Short Pump Pavilion infusion services
• Cellular Immunotherapies and Transplant Program
• VCU Medical Center’s Main 4

If you have questions about your appointment or rescheduling, we recommend contacting the VCU Health Patient Appointment Center at (804)-828-7929.

Boil water advisories mean that tap water is not safe to drink. Here are some of the things you should do to ensure you are using water safely:  

• Do not drink tap water during this boil water advisory.  
• Do not drink from water fountains in parks, public or private buildings that receive water from the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities. 
• Do not use ice made from water on Monday or Tuesday. Discard the ice and sanitize the ice machine and/or ice trays. This also applies to water and ice dispensed directly from a refrigerator.
• Do not use tap water to make drinks, juices, or fountain soft drinks.
• Do not wash your dishes using tap water – use boiled water or use paper plates for the next few days. 
• Do not wash your fruits and vegetables with tap water – use boiled or bottled water.
• Do not brush your teeth with tap water – use boiled or bottled water. 
• Do not cook with tap water, unless your food is boiled vigorously for three minutes. 

Under a boil water advisory, you should also conserve water. Here are some tips: 

• Eliminate or shorten shower times.
• Avoid unnecessary toilet flushes.
• Avoid washing clothes for as long as possible.
• Postpone washing dishes if possible.
• Check all faucets, showerheads and under cabinets for drips.   

As this situation continues to evolve, we will provide more updates about impacts to the health system and other information for patients and community members. This article will continue to be updated with new information about the ongoing situation.