After the storm passes, what do you do next?
As Hurricane Katrina subsided in Covington, LA, Fairway Medical Center, a surgical specialty hospital, discovered it was without normal power, water, and sewer. There was no normal external communications through phones, including cellular phones, and there was limited radio and television.
"We could not communicate with anyone outside of Fairway," says Kory Krista, director of plant operations. Additionally, roads were impassable, he notes.
"It quickly became evident that established relationships with our business colleagues and vendors in the community would soon prove to be one of our most valuable assets," Krista explains.
For example, an owner of the construction company that had done an expansion for the facility arrived soon after the storm. "Over the course of several days, he assisted us by using his connections throughout the region to procure deliveries of scarce diesel fuel," he says. The day after the hurricane, staff traveled to Baton Rouge, LA, for fuel, food, and water.
The owner of the construction company helped Fairway Medical managers contact their water utility provider and urge the company to take emergency measures to restore water and sewer to their area, Krista says. "Without water pressure, the sprinkler system [in the ceiling] will not work," he points out.
The construction contact and Fairway Medical managers worked together to communicate with their electric supplier, Krista says. Although the managers were told that they might not have normal power for four to six weeks, full power was restored less than one week later.
In line with the facility’s motto of "Caring Hands, Improving Lives," staff provided patient care to the evacuees and injured people in the community shelters, he says.
One week after the hurricane, they were preparing for the possible arrival of patients with special needs who might be evacuated from regional nursing home and other facilities. "It is our intention to continue to offer our services to the community and be available to assist with staff, supplies, or services at a moment’s notice," Krista says.
They are developing a timeline to determine when they can resume normal operations. "While Fairway did not suffer the damage seen by New Orleans or the Mississippi/Alabama Gulf Coast, we had immense challenges and continue to work hard toward recovery," he adds.
As Hurricane Katrina subsided in Covington, LA, Fairway Medical Center, a surgical specialty hospital, discovered it was without normal power, water, and sewer. There was no normal external communications through phones, including cellular phones, and there was limited radio and television.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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