Tuyển tập các báo cáo nghiên cứu về y học được đăng trên tạp chí y học Critical Care giúp cho các bạn có thêm kiến thức về ngành y học đề tài: Direct patient care during an acute disaster: chasing the will-o’-the-wisp. | Available online http content 10 1 206 Review Direct patient care during an acute disaster chasing the will-o -the-wisp Ijlal Babar1 and Ronald Rinker2 1 Pulmonologist and Intensivist Ocean Springs Hospital Ocean Springs Mississippi USA 2Chief of Staff Ocean Springs Hospital Regional Digestive Specialists PC Ocean Springs Mississippi USA Corresponding author Ijlal Babar ijlalbabar2002@ Published 14 December 2005 Critical Care 2006 10 206 doi cc3943 This article is online at http content 10 1 206 2005 BioMed Central Ltd Abstract Well developed disaster plans are essential in today s atmosphere of natural and man-made disasters. We describe the problems faced by a community hospital on the Mississippi Gulf Coast during and in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Because of significant damage to surrounding health care facilities this hospital was called upon to provide care to a large section of the affected population. In spite of a previously successful disaster plan a number of unforeseen difficulties were encountered. These included staff shortages due to inability of relief personnel to reenter the affected area insufficient power generation by hospital generators breakdown in communication fuel shortage limited mortuary space and stretching of emergency room resources. These unexpected developments emphasize the importance of contingency planning as part of disaster preparedness. Introduction On 29 August 2005 Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the coasts of Mississippi and Louisiana. The entire Gulf Coast incurred extensive damage from this powerful category 4 hurricane. At the time of writing more than 1000 individuals in the path of this hurricane have been reported dead. At least 200 deaths occurred along the Mississippi coast. In addition innumerable coastal residents have been permanently displaced secondary to catastrophic damage to their homes. Ocean Springs Hospital is a 135-bed hospital on the Mississippi Gulf .
