The facilities have been evacuated, and patients needing assistance are being attended in the hospital grounds, out in the open or in makeshift tents, or in hallways. A great deal of structural damage has occurred, as well as non-structural and functional damage. Those injured by the earthquake who were in need of emergency services have had to be referred to other hospitals. With the exception of orthopedic patients, as well as those with lesions that will demand extended hospital stays and those requiring mental health care, most victims have been taken care of. The acute phase of the disaster is over.
Employees are very reluctant to re-enter the hospitals.
A considerable amount of surgical medical equipment must be evacuated in order to prevent further losses should a new earthquake take place. The historical wing of the San Rafael Hospital has suffered structural damage. The San Juan de Dios Hospital has suffered significant non-structural damage. So have San Rafael Hospital's new and old wings. Although the old wing was no longer being utilized for medical purposes, it did serve as an access to the new wing, making entry and exit hazardous.