Impact on Primary Care Access Post-Disaster: A Case Study From the Rockaway Peninsula

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Disaster Medicine
• Primary Care Services

Background:

• Hurricane Sandy caused widespread damage, significantly impacting healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.
• Primary care providers are essential for community health, especially during and after natural disasters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of Hurricane Sandy on primary care providers' services in the Rockaways.
• To identify operational challenges and recovery needs of primary care practices post-disaster.

Main Methods:

• In-person surveys were conducted in 2014 with physicians and practice administrators in the Rockaways.
• A list of 46 healthcare sites was compiled, with 40 participating in the survey.
• Survey data focused on operational challenges, practice characteristics, and disaster preparedness.

Main Results:

• 95% of surveyed practices experienced temporary closure or relocation due to Hurricane Sandy.
• All practices reported electrical issues affecting communication and operational systems.
• Less than a quarter had a continuity plan pre-storm; only 43% had one post-storm. Most did not coordinate with other stakeholders or government agencies.

Conclusions:

• Hurricane Sandy significantly disrupted primary care access in the Rockaways, highlighting vulnerabilities in practice operations and infrastructure.
• There is a critical need for enhanced emergency response and recovery planning for primary care.
• Improved coordination with government agencies is essential to minimize disruptions and ensure continued access to primary care during disaster recovery.