Restoring Office-Based Surgical Facility Function Post-Hurricane Irma: Lessons Learned From Multiple Facilities

Hurricane Irma made landfall in Southwest Florida on September 10, 2017, causing significant property damage, flooding, and power outages that lasted days to weeks during high heat and humidity. This created significant challenges for residents and businesses, as well as office-based surgical facilities in the area. Preparations in advance of hurricanes and other natural disasters for businesses should focus on staff, surroundings, space, systems, structure, and service. In the aftermath of a hurricane, assessment of the extent of the damage and the ability to perform restoration and mold remediation postflooding are the immediate goals. With the return of utility services, additional cleanup and assessment of equipment, medications, and sterile supplies with subsequent repair/recertification, replacement and reprocessing, as required, are necessary to bring operations back to normal.