January 22, 2014

Not even a foot and a half of water could keep Physician Associates of Good Samaritan - Delhi from caring for the community.

This month, when sub-zero temperatures caused pipes to freeze and burst, flooding the primary care practice with 18 inches of water, TriHealth - including staff from several locations and departments, such as Information Systems, Maintenance, Risk Mangement and others - sprung into action to make sure phone lines were answered and patients were seen with little interruption.

Within hours of the flood, phones and computers were set up at Bethesda Oak so staff could take calls from patients, and those who couldn't wait for care were sent to TriHealth Priority Care on Glenway Avenue. Within 24 hours, all five of the physicians who practice at the Delhi location were placed at alternate sites and will continue to see patients at those locations for several weeks while the Delhi location is repaired.

"More than one of us physicians commented on how fortunate we were to be part of a health system, and how we couldn't imagine having to handle a situation like this as a solo practitioner," said Antonio Rojas MD, one of the Delhi practice's physicians. 

Four other physicians practice at the location: Drs. Joseph Huschart, Rhazi Khodadad, Scott Massa and Raymond Metzger.

Dr. Rojas, who was moved to Group Health Clifton, said he was impressed with the swift response to the flood and that team members at his temporary location since have made him feel at home - from warm greetings to check-ins from staff that have made the transition "a much more pleasurable experience through their demeanor and kindness."

Dr. Khodadad was also relocated to Group Health Clifton, as well as Good Samaritan Western Ridge; Dr. Huschart is practicing at Good Samaritan Western Ridge; Dr. Metzger is practicing at Priority Care - Glenway; and Dr. Massa is practicing at The Family Medical Group.

The fact that TriHealth provides integrated services across our locations has made the process easier, said Kim Jones, chief operating officer for TriHealth Physician Practices. Our electronic medical records system allowed doctors to see patients at various TriHealth locations, and team members across our health system pitched in wherever possible, Jones said.

"Every TriHealth team member rose to the occasion to make whatever we needed happen and happen quickly," she said. "This was truly an example of what we are capable of due to the true sense of team in this organization."