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Changes needed in the care for sheltered persons: a multistate analysis from Hurricane Katrina
Jennifer Lee Jenkins1, Melissa McCarthy, Gabor Kelen
1Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
American Journal of Disaster Medicine
|June 16, 2009
Summary
Hurricane Katrina displaced over 450,000 people, highlighting critical healthcare needs in shelters. This study found significant requirements for prescription medications, durable medical equipment, and referrals for ongoing care among evacuees.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Disaster Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Hurricane Katrina caused widespread displacement, necessitating large-scale evacuation shelters across 27 states.
- Over 450,000 individuals were displaced, with significant morbidity and mortality reported due to the hurricane and subsequent levee failures.
- Healthcare needs of displaced populations in shelters require systematic evaluation for effective disaster response planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the health needs of approximately 30,000 displaced persons in shelters post-Hurricane Katrina.
- To assess prescription medication requirements, durable medical equipment distribution, and referral patterns for further medical care.
- To inform future disaster healthcare planning and response strategies for sheltered populations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a convenience sample of 31,272 medical encounter forms from shelters in eight affected states.
- Data collected by volunteer nurses included demographics, acute/preventive care needs, pre-existing conditions, and referrals.
- Forms captured needs for prescription medications, durable medical equipment, and provider scope of care.
Main Results:
- 36.2% received acute care, 33.3% received preventive/chronic care, and 30.6% received both.
- 10.7% received durable medical equipment, with glasses (6.8%) being the most common item.
- Prescriptions were issued to 29.0%, and 44.2% received referrals, most frequently to pharmacies (18.5%) and outpatient clinics (12.3%).
Conclusions:
- Hurricane Katrina underscored the need for enhanced healthcare planning for sheltered individuals, emphasizing primary and preventive care.
- The study confirmed the demand for primary medical care and pharmaceuticals, alongside new data on durable medical equipment distribution.
- A significant need for healthcare beyond shelter settings was evident, necessitating robust referral systems and follow-up care.
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