Disaster: Nursing Homes Need to be Prepared

Hurricane Katrina: more lessons learned

In August of 2007, the author testified as the medical expert witness on behalf of the State of Louisiana in the St. Rita's Nursing Home criminal case. Thirty-five residents drowned as floodwaters swept over the nursing home during Hurricane Katrina. For nursing home owners, administrators, and medical staff leadership, there are additional lessons to be learned from this catastrophe.

Surviving the storms: Emergency preparedness in Texas nursing facilities and assisted living facilities

This study assesses the preparedness of long-term care facilities in Texas responding to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. A 41-item questionnaire was mailed to facilities; the response rate was 42%. Among responding facilities, 4513 residents were evacuated, and 6% of respondents reported resident death. Financial losses were reported by 8% of nursing facilities and 45% of assisted living facilities due to transportation and staff overtime. Respondents indicated the need for improved disaster preparednesstraining, better coordination, and transportation. Changes in policy and practice will lead to better trained staff who will provide the care residents need for improved health outcomes during future public health disasters.