LOVERS of TV dramas will surely remember the classic doctor show “ER.” Along with a young George Clooney as eye candy for the ladies, the show gave a gritty view into the inside workings of a big-city hospital’s emergency room. And what compelling television it was. Every week, life-and-death emergencies played out before our eyes as the doctors and nurses overcame their personal issues and struggled to save the lives of their patients.

While there is no doubt that “ER” took quite a bit of dramatic license, perhaps the real key to its success was that every day, in hospitals through the world, real-life doctors and nurses actually do engage in such life-or-death activities.

And that includes the staff of Guam Memorial Hospital.

In spite of all the justified criticism leveled at GMH, and at medical care in general here on Guam, we should never forget that basic fact.

For this reason, we were very gratified to note the groundbreaking ceremony that was held last Friday for GMH’s new ER and ICU/CCU (Intensive Care Unit/Critical Care Unit).

Taken together, these units form the heart and soul of any hospital. It is here that the immediate, “will he live, or will
he die” battles are fought.

The need for a good ER (and ICU/CCU) from the standpoint of public health and safety is obvious, but here on an isolated island that is dependent on the tourism industry, they also play a completely different type of life-saving role – one that is economic rather than physical.

What do we mean?

Those readers who follow the Variety’s CNMI pages will know that the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation on Saipan is in serious trouble – so much so that even their ER is on the verge of closing, and lacks most of the most basic supplies. It’s an unimaginable crisis for the patients and their families ... and may soon be one for the CNMI’s tourism industry as well. According to Variety Saipan reporter Tammy Doty, “Word is leaking out” to Japanese tour agents and insurance companies that the CNMI no longer has a functioning ER, and there is every chance that they will drastically reduce the number of tourists they are willing to bring to that destination.

In contrast to this, the GMH’s ER is now being expanded from 5,400 square feet to 15,000; the ICU/CCU will grow in size from 2,500 square feet to 7,800; and the number of beds in the unit will be increased from 10 to 15. All this will come at a cost of some $7.5 million, but in our opinion, this is money well spent.

Speaking of the expansion, GMH’s new administrator, Joseph Verga, said: “This hospital never has or never will turn anyone from the doors who show up at the emergency room for care. And this project will enable us to not only offer the best state-of-the-art care in the best environment we can, but it will enable us to render care in a safer way.”

Bravo.