The effect of a class IV hurricane on emergency department operations

Sheppa, C.Michael; Stevens, June; Philbrick, John T.; Canada, Mark

doi:10.1016/0735-6757(93)90084-o

Cited by 33 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Similar to previous studies, we found a high incidence of lacerations (6 -11,15,16), orthopedic injuries (7)(8)(9)11,16,17), neurosurgical injuries (16,17), and environmental injuries (6 -9,11) after the hurricanes. These increased injuries were most likely due to clean-up activities and traffic accidents as a result of road conditions and damaged traffic signs.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

The Impact of a Series of Hurricanes on the Visits to Two Central Florida Emergency Departments

Platz

Cooper

Silvestri

et al. 2007

The Journal of Emergency Medicine

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

The Impact of a Series of Hurricanes on the Visits to Two Central Florida Emergency Departments

Platz

Cooper

Silvestri

et al. 2007

The Journal of Emergency Medicine

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“…[3][4][5] Significant increases in traumatic injuries have also been noted. 2,5,6 A significant proportion of patients seen at Lower Florida Keys Hospital suffered minor trauma and injuries, with the majority of these patients presenting after the hurricane.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…1 Several studies have evaluated the effects of hurricanes on morbidity, mortality, and emergency department (ED) operations in the United States. [2][3][4][5][6] However, the majority of these studies evaluated ED census and diagnoses following the hurricane. There are few data concerning managing an ED during a hurricane and the medical problems that present during that time period.…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

E Mergency R Esponse T Eam : H Urricane G Eorges in K Ey W Est

Wylie

Cheanvechai

Seaberg

2000

Prehospital Emergency Care

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Hurricane Georges (category 2) struck Key West, Florida, on September 25, 1998. Lower Florida Keys Hospital, which serves Key West and the Lower Keys, had previously been evacuated of inpatients and staff. An emergency response team composed of three emergency medicine (EM) physicians and four EM nurses was sent at the request of the state to maintain emergency department (ED) operations at the hospital. Eighty-six patients presented to the ED during the 72-hour period. Medical problems accounted for the majority of visits (52.3%), with minor trauma next (41.9%). Initially, patients requiring hospitalization were evacuated, but as the storm neared, this was stopped. Six patients required hospitalization at Lower Florida Keys Hospital during the period that evacuations were unavailable. Four deaths occurred during the 24-hour period. Complicating factors included environmental conditions, limited laboratory and radiologic studies, limited medication stocks, and closure of local pharmacies before and after the hurricane. More than 300 nursing home patients were housed at the nearby jail shelter. Knowledge of such high-risk groups that remain in the vicinity is crucial to planning a response plan.

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“…For example, in the 1 to 3 weeks following a major hurricane, the emergency department (ED) volume increases 17% to 40%, mostly due to an increase in patient visits relating to lacerations of all types, puncture wounds, stings, and falls (65,67). Unfortunately, sudden peaks in demand for emergency care are becoming increasingly difficult to handle because hospital surge capacity has eroded dramatically in the last decade due to: 1) decreased reimbursement by managed care organizations for inpatient care, resulting in a nationwide reduction of hospital beds, 2) the nursing shortage, 3) a more acute patient mix, and 4) a general deterioration in the health care safety net and an increase in ED visits by uninsured patients who cannot afford routine medical care (79).…”

Section: Surge Capacity For Emergency Medical Servicesmentioning

confidence: 99%