The Anesthesiologist's Response to Hurricane Natural Disaster Incidents: Hurricane Harvey

Christopher T Stephens; Jaime Ortiz; Evan G Pivalizza

doi:10.1016/j.anclin.2018.09.005

The Anesthesiologist's Response to Hurricane Natural Disaster Incidents: Hurricane Harvey

Anesthesiol Clin. 2019 Mar;37(1):151-160. doi: 10.1016/j.anclin.2018.09.005. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Authors

Christopher T Stephens¹, Jaime Ortiz², Evan G Pivalizza³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, MSB 5.020, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
² Department of Anesthesiology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, MS: BCM 120, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
³ Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, MSB 5.020, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: Evan.G.Pivalizza@uth.tmc.edu.

PMID: 30711228
DOI: 10.1016/j.anclin.2018.09.005

Abstract

From personal experience and available resources, such as the American Society of Anesthesiologists Committee on Trauma and Emergency Preparedness templates from the manual for department procedures, the authors describe the primarily flooding impact of Hurricane Harvey in their area of Texas. They review the necessary analysis, development, and implementation of logistics; staffing and relief models; coordination with hospital partners; and dissemination of the planned procedures. The authors emphasize the commitment of anesthesiologists to patient care and rescue efforts outside of the operating room.

Keywords: Anesthesiology department; Emergency plan; Hurricane Harvey; Natural disaster; Prehospital role.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anesthesiologists*
Cyclonic Storms*
Disaster Planning / methods*
Humans
Physician's Role*
Texas