Healthcare providers and patients seeking information on how to deal with the effects of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey can turn to easily-accessible, online resources for help.
General hurricane resources:
HHS' Office of Public Health Emergency provides resources for professionals, as well as information on the safe use of drugs that may have been damaged by water or heat. The CMS is coordinating requests for Section 1135 waivers that would allow changes to how Medicare and Medicaid is used in states affected by a public health emergency. You can follow PHE on Twitter using @PHEgov.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website includes a broad spectrum of resources on hurricanes, including guides on preparing clinicians to respond to natural disasters. The CDC also posts on Facebook and Twitter, @CDCemergency.
The Food and Drug Administration provides resources on drug management for providers during a disaster.
Texas-based hurricane resources:
The Texas Hospital Association is serving as a hub for many provider resources, including a hospital employee assistance fund; a page for hospitals to request staff support; and resources for healthcare communication professionals. The THA has also set up a service center at 512-465-1057 or [email protected].
Florida-based hurricane resources:
The Florida Hospital Association has done the same for hospitals' employees in the state impacted by Hurricane Irma. To make donations that will go directly to member hospitals to distribute to their employees, visit the Florida Hospital Association's site. The site also includes regular updates of hospital closures, waivers approved by the CMS, information on processes hopsitals should undertake when they are reopening and other helpful information.
