DHS warns health providers in southeast of potential effects of Hurricane Matthew

The Department of Homeland Security’s Healthcare and Public Health Sector has issued a bulletin warning of potential impacts for health care providers in the southeastern U.S. that may be impacted by Hurricane Matthew, which is expected to potentially strike Florida’s Atlantic coast overnight. DHS warns that there will be a regional impact to health care providers because of expected power outages and storm surge. Facilities in the areas most likely to bear the brunt of the storm’s impact should be prepared to operate on backup power for at least three days or until power is restored. The agency notes that hospitals are a priority for receiving fuel for generators. DHS also expects the storm to have a broad impact on communications. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response has updated Hurricane: Resources At Your Fingertips to assist health care providers as they prepare for the storm. It includes resources, as well as key lessons learned from previous storms. Many hospitals in the predicted impact zone have transferred patients needing continuing care and discharged patients who were able in preparation for the storm.