Hospitals remember Hurricane Katrina now they prepare for her cousin coming in forcibly
On Friday hospitals went full speed ahead to prepare for Irene’s impending arrival. Dorms set up for employees, windows and doors being secured, transferring of patients all set in motion awaiting Irene’s official arrival.
On Friday afternoon after hearing reports of Irene’s impending furry, Brookfield and Flusing hospitals all preparing their facility securing areas where doors and windows cold be blown in, topping off generators and preparing areas for staff that will remain in the hospital.
Meanwhile, New York University Langone Medical Center, Staten Island University Hospital and Manhattan VA had begun their evacuation of patients. These evacuations are proof positive that Hurricane Irene is planning on making her entrance known in full blown furry. The greater part of New York should begin to feel her lethal furry sometime late tonight and Sunday according to the National Weather Service.
MediSys Health Network spokesperson, Ole Pedersen stated that they had been down to Hurricane Katrina so they are familiar with the impact that storms like this can produce.
Dr. James Speyer, medical director of the clinical cancer center at NYU Langone Medical Center had remarked that during his career he has never seen a situation where they evacuate the hospital.
Dr. Speyer had been making arrangements for the cancer patients to be transferred to other medical centers which were stationed on higher ground. Other physicians had made arrangements to move certain patients to medical centers in New Jersey.
Sentara Northfolk General Hospital located in Virginia spokesperson Emma Inman had stated that their hospital has been testing backup generators, stocking medications, supplies, food, water and fuel to last for several days.
One nursing home located on costal Currituck, Virginia has already been evacuated.
New York City, Brooklyn’s Coney Island Hospital sitting in one of New York’s defenseless areas had been evacuated on Friday.
Fire departments and emergency medical transport services had gone into a ‘transport mode” yesterday for the next 24 hours.
Downstate’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Michael Lucchesi, had noted that a medical shuffle service is being provided for staff until an upcoming subway shut down which was to occur at noon. After that staff will be remaining.
Director of Emergency Nursing at Lennox Hill Hospital in Manhattan reported that they had been told to prepare for a 96 hour stay which was to start last night.
St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital’s and Beth Israel Medical Center had sent memos to their employees (housekeeping, food service, et.) to remain for the duration of the hurricane.
It had been reported that the city Health Department has now evacuated 22 hospitals, nursing homes, and psychiatric and adult care facilities as of Friday night; there is a possibility that 48 more facilities will be evacuated.
You can watch live coverage as Hurricane Irene progresses at The Weather Channel Live Stream Tracking Irene.
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