Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26, contributing to the deaths of around 214 residents in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and other southern states. Geographers and climatologists from the University of South Carolina note that it was the deadliest inland hurricane on record.
Just two weeks later, Hurricane Milton devastated the central Florida coastline. Thousands of residents temporarily fled north to avoid the storm surge. At the same time, critical workers and immobile patients hunkered down for another turbulent weekend.
Healthcare practices around the Gulf Coast experienced significant operational setbacks and supply shortages in the wake of these natural disasters.
See how ChartRequest can support the flow of life-saving medical records, even in the worst-case scenario.
Healthcare Facilities Paralyzed by Natural Disasters
Hurricane Helene started forming on September 22, 2024. State meteorologists informed the public of an imminent disaster, and businesses across the southern states began preparing for the worst.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HSS) — in coordination with additional state and federal organizations — mobilized to offset the detrimental impacts of the hurricane on dozens of active healthcare facilities in the region.
Despite the efforts of humanitarian aid workers and first responders, hurricane Helene still caused significant property losses and treatment delays for both small and large hospitals.
The Baxter manufacturing facility in Marion, North Carolina, which supplies IV solutions and irrigation fluids to the medical industry, suffered one of the worst logistical bottlenecks in the region. The FDA promised to assess the situation and identify temporary solutions, like prescription shelf-life extension dates, to provide ongoing patient care.
Other healthcare facilities, such as Asheville’s Mission Hospital, lost access to pressurized water and ran their operations on small generators until help could arrive. The hurricane’s damage to the building resulted in gasoline, chemical, and toxic substances saturating the floors and walls. Medical staff on the ground worked tirelessly to secure the facility and protect their patients.
Impacts on Care Coordination and Delivery
The latest natural disasters in the South shook the healthcare industry to its core. In some facilities, doctors used Gatorade instead of IVs to conserve the already limited stock of life-saving fluids needed for critical care patients.
All-hands hurricane cleanup and response pulled many healthcare workers away from their routine posts and duties. For example, many records retrieval departments experienced technology blackouts and communications delays due to the ongoing storms. This setback prevented physicians from approving and ordering medication and essential treatment for numerous patients.
Additionally, small and medium-sized practices experienced:
- Reduced staffing
- Structural damage to the facility
- Hazardous work conditions (electrical risks, toxic spills, combustible materials)
- Power surges
- Medical transport delays
- Flooding
- And more
Prevent disruptions to the release of your patients’ medical data.
The National Response to the Hurricanes
FEMA, the FDA, and the HSS were quick to respond to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, prioritizing the safety of residents and patients trapped within destroyed towns and neighborhoods.
Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Defense ordered the National Guard to aid in the cleanup and rescue of areas highly impacted by the disaster. These efforts aim to get hospitals and other essential businesses back up and running before their absence contributes to further economic losses and human casualties.
Healthcare professionals across the United States are also doing their part to aid in the recovery of southern states. Executives from industry support organizations like ChartRequest donated thousands of dollars worth of supplies and equipment to disaster recovery and remained on-call during the storms.
Nevertheless, the rising costs of natural disasters create anxiety for many healthcare organizations around the Gulf Coast. Researchers estimate that hurricanes are becoming increasingly common and severe in recent decades, emphasizing the need for preparation and support.
A Long Road to Hurricane Recovery
Initial damage reports suggest that Hurricanes Helene and Milton created over $53 billion in economic losses. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper proposed a $3.9 billion relief package to begin cleanup as soon as possible. Hospital and clinic reconstruction will be a major focus in these recovery efforts.
Some states are still bouncing back from the devastation caused by Hurricane Florence and Matthew. The package will also contribute to the ongoing recovery efforts of these storms.
It could take months or even years for some North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia residents to regain a sense of normalcy. Still, healthcare providers across each state must work day in and day out to restore effective care coordination processes, as falling behind could lead to tragic consequences.
Improve the Flow of Medical Data During Natural Disasters
ChartRequest is dedicated to supporting healthcare professionals with secure and centralized record transmission year-round. We make it easy to access, transfer, and use data through encrypted servers and staff augmentation.
Hospitals across the country rated us 4.9/5 stars for our world-class support. With over 10,000 providers in our network, you can be confident that our team will assist your facility while medical staff focuses on other duties — like hurricane preparedness and recovery.
Don’t let another natural disaster disrupt the flow of life-saving medical records. Schedule a consultation with ChartRequest to find practical solutions today.
