Hospitals prepare for total solar eclipse

Dallas, where Baylor University Medical Center is located, is in the path of totalilty in today's total solar eclipse.

Photo: Courtesy of Baylor, Scott & White

Health systems and departments of health within the path of totality of today's total solar eclipse have been preparing for the onslaught of spectators in their cities and towns for the most exciting four minutes in celestial viewing since 1963.

The United States experienced a total solar eclipse in 2017, but today's totality of 4 minutes and 28 seconds is considered a must-see event compared to the 2 minutes and 40 seconds of totality from seven years ago. 

Thousands of people are pouring into cities and towns in the 13 states within the path of totality from Texas to Maine.

Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, part of the large health system Baylor Scott & White Health, headquartered in Dallas, said at some locations, where the impact is projected to be most significant, teams have modified schedules to serve as many patients as possible, while staying ready to serve those who may need emergency care. 

"Our teams continuously prepare to provide care for our communities during a variety of situations, and we have been working with local officials and emergency management agencies to prepare for what is anticipated to be a time of significant traffic and increased visitors in the area for the total solar eclipse," the health system said in response to a request for comment.

At the other end of the eclipse's path, towns in Maine much smaller than Dallas are hosting a population many times greater than the number of their permanent residents. Houlton, Maine, is the last spot in the country to view totality. Houlton Regional Hospital is streaming the eclipse live on its Facebook page and has posted related events touting its location as a prime viewing spot.

In the middle of the country at the Cleveland Clinic, staff at the Cleveland Clinic's Children's Hospital have prepped babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by putting them in "Total Solar Eclipse" onesies and giving them eye coverings as other patients view totality, according to The News.

Amid the fun, health officials have also prepared for an uptick in traffic and potential injuries. The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism has estimated 1.5 million visitors have traveled to Arkansas, straining the state's infrastructure, emergency responders on clogged roads and hospitals. 

The Arkansas Department of Health has been working alongside the Arkansas Ambulance Association, Arkansas Hospital Association and other support agencies to prepare for a potential for a surge, particularly in the path of totality where the state's two level 1 trauma centers and the majority of level 2 and level 3 centers are located.

The eclipse will only be partial in Minnesota, but the Minnesota Hospital Association has issued warnings after examining diagnostic data from 2017 that found two people sought care at Minnesota hospitals on the day of that eclipse. They were diagnosed with solar retinopathy – a condition specifically caused by dangerous exposure to sunlight. 

Five other people were diagnosed with the condition in the days and weeks that followed, the MHA said.

"It's not many people, but for those Minnesotans who did suffer injuries during the last eclipse, the conditions were serious and the impact on their sight was real," the MHA said.

The big health takeaway in enjoying today's once-in-a-generation event is to wear proper eye protection. 

"Don't count on clouds or makeshift protection if you want to watch the eclipse," the MHA said. "It's going to be a rare and special event on Monday, so prepare and get good, commercially available eye protection if you want to watch the moon pass in front of the sun." 

Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org