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Medical Outreach After Hurricane Marilyn

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Ralph B. Leonard ,
Harold M. Spangler  and
Lew W. Stringer
Ralph B. Leonard*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
Harold M. Spangler
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
Lew W. Stringer
Affiliation:
Special Operations Response Team, Inc., Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
*
Department of Emergency, Medicine Medical CenterBoulevard Winston-Salem, NC 27157USA
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Abstract

Introduction:

Many geographical areas are subject to devastating disasters that leave the citizens not only without homes, but also without their local medical systems. Now medical-aid stations consisting of personnel, supplies, and equipment quickly can be deployed when needed to such areas under the aegis of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS). Such teams can provide emergent medical care as well as daily medical care. However, these aid stations are of no help for the home–bound or nursing home patients too infirm to reach them. Thus, these citizens only can obtain medical care if medical teams make planned outreach excursions to reach them.

Objective:

To describe a planned outreach program that was implemented for such patients on St. Thomas Island after it was devastated by Hurricane Marilyn in 1995.

Results:

Over a five-day period, the out-reach team provided medical care for 67 patients ranging in age from 11 days to 90 years. Play and art therapy was provided for non-injured children. The most common needs in the elderly were anti-hypertensive medications and insulin-loaded syringes.

Conclusion:

For outreach efforts of this nature, membership of the team should include a registered nurse, a paramedic, a respiratory therapist, a public health specialist, and a local authority familiar both with the area and its inhabitants. A physician does not need to be assigned to the team, but should be available by radio.

Keywords

disasterdisaster medical assistance teamhurricanemedical outreachmedical response teamnational disaster medical systemspecial operations response team
Type
Special Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 12 , Issue 3 , September 1997 , pp. 16 - 21
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1997

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