Hurricane Impact on Emergency Services and Use of Telehealth to Support Prehospital Care

Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2020 Feb;14(1):39-43. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2019.101.

Abstract

The impact of hurricanes on emergency services is well-known. Recent history demonstrates the need for prehospital and emergency department coordination to serve communities during evacuation, storm duration, and cleanup. The use of telehealth applications may enhance this coordination while lessening the impact on health-care systems. These applications can address triage, stabilization, and diversion and may be provided in collaboration with state and local emergency management operations through various shelters, as well as during other emergency medical responses.

Keywords: disaster; hurricane; prehospital; shelter; telehealth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cyclonic Storms / statistics & numerical data*
  • Disaster Planning / standards
  • Disaster Planning / statistics & numerical data
  • Emergency Medical Services / methods
  • Emergency Medical Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Emergency Shelter
  • Humans
  • Telemedicine / methods
  • Telemedicine / statistics & numerical data*