Emergency Preparedness and Public Health: The Lessons of Hurricane Sandy

3 Pages Posted: 4 Dec 2012

See all articles by Tia Powell

Tia Powell

Yeshiva University - Montefiore Medical Center

Dan Hanfling

UPMC Center for Health Security; George Washington University

Lawrence O. Gostin

Georgetown University - Law Center - O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law

Date Written: November 16, 2012

Abstract

When Hurricane Sandy hit downtown Manhattan, three neighboring hospitals each made different decisions about when to evacuate. Across the metro region, more than five hospitals and over 20 nursing and assisted living facilities were evacuated, making this the central public health challenge of this calamitous event. It is a familiar story — a super storm comes ashore, infrastructure is overwhelmed, and healthcare facilities evacuate patients, with major delays in returning to normal functioning. Afterwards, policy makers evaluate lessons learned for the next disaster, but similar missteps are often repeated.

Although not identical, it is instructive to compare Hurricane Katrina with the still unfolding events of Sandy. Unlike in Katrina, New York hospitals had more detailed emergency plans. What seemed to be missing, however, were clear and consistent criteria to guide evacuation decisions. Evacuation decisions are complex — a decision to evacuate prematurely places patients at risk, while waiting too long can have devastating consequences. Public officials, in collaboration with facilities, should decide whether to shelter in place or risk transfer of fragile patients. Governors should consider early emergency declarations, including request for a formal “public health emergency declaration”, to reduce legal concerns and regulatory constraints. Federal, state, and municipal authorities can better prepare for the next disaster and have a duty to do so.

Keywords: emergency preparedness, Hurricane Sandy, natural disaster, public health

JEL Classification: K00, K30, K39

Suggested Citation

Powell, Tia and Hanfling, Dan and Gostin, Lawrence O., Emergency Preparedness and Public Health: The Lessons of Hurricane Sandy (November 16, 2012). JAMA Online, 2012, Georgetown Public Law Research Paper No. 12-189, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2184839

Tia Powell

Yeshiva University - Montefiore Medical Center ( email )

111 East 210th Street
Bronx, NY 10467
United States

Dan Hanfling

UPMC Center for Health Security ( email )

Pittsburgh, PA
United States

George Washington University ( email )

2300 Eye Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20037
United States

Lawrence O. Gostin (Contact Author)

Georgetown University - Law Center - O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law ( email )

600 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
United States
202-662-9038 (Phone)
202-662-9055 (Fax)

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