In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, hospitals around the country are taking a close look at their disaster plans. Most had generally assumed that help would generally arrive within 24 to 48 hours. In the face of the problems at hospitals in Louisiana and Mississippi last month, when some waited over a week for aid to arrive, self-sufficiency and carefully considered evacuation plans are the new themes. With Hurricane Wilma threatening to strike Florida early next week, many are again launching evacuations and closing non-essential services.
"If you hope the cavalry is going to come and that's part of your disaster plan, then that's not a very viable plan," noted Joe Cappiello of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
- see this article from USA Today