Approaching Isaac Has Louisiana Hospitals Preparing for Patient Influx

An article from Louisiana news source, KPLCtv.com, reported that hospitals along the state’s Gulf Coast are prepping facilities and updating emergency plans in anticipation of potential patient influx as Hurricane Isaac approaches. Lake Charles Memorial Hospital (LCMH) is one of several Louisiana hospitals that has been ordered by the Office of Emergency Preparedness to ready itself for emergency conditions.

Tim Coffey, LCMH Sr. VP of Operations, is overseeing the emergency preparation process and reported that LCMH is capable of taking in up to 65 patients should the situation arise. Coffey also stated that larger portions of Monday’s scheduled food delivery will be brought in to accommodate a higher patient admittance rate. The resources and patients currently at LCMH are documented in the hospital census so that the state knows where all resources and people are located at any given time. According to Coffey, all hospital staff at LCMH is familiar with the emergency plans and is ready to take immediate action should Isaac create a patient influx.

The article stated that every hospital in the Lake Charles region has made updates to emergency protocol and evacuation plans since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005. On top of patient influx preparations, LCHM plans to enact a shelter in the event of a storm, unless a mandatory evacuation has been ordered. “Our generators have been tested, our diesel has been topped off, our staff has prepared,” said Coffey.  LCHM also encouraged everyone in the area to make sure prescriptions are filled and all necessary medical devices are nearby.

The Department for Health and Hospitals has encouraged all healthcare facilities, including nursing homes and dialysis centers, threatened by the storm to update and prepare all emergency procedures.

Photo courtesy of KPLCtv.com

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