Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Fernando A. Guerra, MD, MPH, Health Director, San Antonio Metro Health District, 332 W. Commerce, San Antonio, TX 78205, Linda Hook, RN, MSHP, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, Nursing Program Manager, 332 W. Commerce #303, San Antonio, TX 78205, 210-207-8808, linda.hook@sanantonio.gov, and Leslie Cooper, PhD, MPH, BSN, RN, NIH/NC.CRCHD/HPB, 6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 602, Rockville, MD 20852.

The challenge of information dissemination to address the health care needs of a population presented itself as a major challenge during the recent aftermath of Hurricane Katrina/Rita. By August 31, 2005, Katrina victims began arriving in San Antonio, Texas, by any means possible. Evacuees ranged across the racial ethnic groups, ages, gender, and social economic groups.. Individuals who had pre-existing health care conditions and had been managed within the domains of the impacted areas were now converging upon the San Antonio area with no medical records, medication, equipment (life supporting such as dialysis machines, radiological equipment for cancer care, as well as oxygen machines, walkers and etc.) with no familiar patterns of response. Within hours San Antonio had to begin addressing the needs of evacuees, with a wide array of health care issues and needs from physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health needs. Linked databases for pharmacy needs, medical management, and medical records across state lines were scarce or non-existent. In addition, to the evacuees San Antonio also had to respond to a large number of health care workers and volunteers (federal and non-federal) from within the state, to across the country, and internationally. A major challenge was who has the responsibility and authority to certify the credentials of individuals during a disaster, and how is this information disseminated? This presentation will share with you some of the challenges and proposed recommendations for maximizing information technology in preparing for the next disaster

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to

• Discuss the public health system’s role in assuring credentialing of health provider staff during a large disaster event;
• Describe the elements required in assuring credentialed staff;
• Discuss planning and/or technology necessary to assure the appropriate healthcare provider is matched to the evacuee needs.

Keywords: Data/Surveillance, Access and Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation