[Pachinko]

The horrifying scenarios now surrouding Hurricane Katrina and its expected impact in New Orleans got me wondering: in times of natural disaster, especially when there is mandatory evacuation in place, what is the effect on nurses and other medical professionals? For instance, in NO right now, are nurses expected to stay to care for the injured?

[HuggyPuglet]

Originally Posted by Pachinko

The horrifying scenarios now surrouding Hurricane Katrina and its expected impact in New Orleans got me wondering: in times of natural disaster, especially when there is mandatory evacuation in place, what is the effect on nurses and other medical professionals? For instance, in NO right now, are nurses expected to stay to care for the injured?

I am also wondering the same thing. What is happening down in the Big Easy? You are all in our thoughts and prayers...

[suzanne4]

Yes, if there is a disaster called, even such as a tornado, no one leaves the building......this goes for visitors as well. You are expected to remain on duty until the disaster is lifted.

[Jessy_RN]

Originally Posted by suzanne4

Yes, if there is a disaster called, even such as a tornado, no one leaves the building......this goes for visitors as well. You are expected to remain on duty until the disaster is lifted.

What about family Suzanne? Can they come along too or must they stay home?

[SmilingBluEyes]

Were it me, I would see to it my family evacuated and I would just have to live in the hospital til it was over.

Which in this case, will be a LONG, LONG time. It's going to be the most trying time NO has seen in many years.

[nurturing_angel]

God Bless New Orleans tonight!!!!!!!



Vickie

[lee1]

Originally Posted by nurturing_angel

God Bless New Orleans tonight!!!!!!!



Vickie

I certainly hope the hospitals have evacuated all of their patients???? Does anyone know?? From the evacuation order for New Orleans the hospitals employees were exempt to be evacuated.
I would certainly have priority with my family first

[Faeriewand]

I can't imagine that any hospital in NO would be okay tonight. I'm keeping my eye on the news.

[currentstudent]

My friend is a nurse and we were just discussing this last night. At her facility (local hospital) the staff is required to come in (if scheduled) as early as 2 days prior to landfall, and can bring their family members with them. The family members can then "ride out the storm" in a specified area in the hospital. The only problem she had with this is that teenagers (age 16 +) from the group are pulled out of the area to "babysit" the younger kids in another area (to give the adults some quiet time I guess). My friend had a problem with this considering she has 2 daughters, 10 years & 2 years and wasn't real comfortable with the thought of leaving them with teenagers that she doesn't know. We agreed that the patient's safety cannot be sacraficed, but neither can her kids'. It is a very touchy situation and I truly feel for anyone that has to go through this, or any other dilemma with this storm...it's a scary situation all around. God bless all of those in Katrina's path...

[currentstudent]

In my last post I was referring to last years policy (in ONE hospital). I DO NOT know what the policy is in N.O. with the severity of this particular storm!