Original Article

Disaster-Related Injuries and Illnesses Treated by American Red Cross Disaster Health Services During Hurricanes Gustav and Ike

Authors: Rebecca S. Noe, MN, MPH, Amy H. Schnall, MPH, Amy F. Wolkin, MSPH, Michelle N. Podgornik, MPH, April D. Wood, BSN, RN, Jeanne Spears, RN, Sharon A.R. Stanley, PhD, RN

Abstract

Objective: To describe the injuries and illnesses treated by the American Red Cross (Red Cross) during Hurricanes Gustav and Ike disaster relief operations reported on a new Aggregate Morbidity Report Form.


Methods: From August 28 to October 18, 2008, 119 Red Cross field service locations in Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas addressed the healthcare needs of people affected by the hurricanes. From these locations, individual client visit data were retrospectively collated per site onto new 24-hour Aggregate Morbidity Report Forms.


Results: A total of 3863 clients were treated. Of the clients, 48% were girls and women and 44% were boys and men; 61% were 19 to 64 years old. Ninety-eight percent of the visits occurred in shelters. The reasons for half of the visits were acute illness and symptoms (eg, pain) and 16% were for routine follow-up care. The majority (65%) of the 2516 visits required treatment at a field location, although 34%, or 1296 visits, required a referral, including 543 healthcare facility transfers.


Conclusions: During the hurricanes, a substantial number of displaced evacuees sought care for acute and routine healthcare needs. The capacity of the Red Cross to address the immediate and ongoing health needs of sheltered clients for an extended period of time is a critical resource for local public health agencies, which are often overwhelmed during a disaster. This article highlights the important role that this humanitarian organization fills, to decrease surge to local healthcare systems and to monitor health effects following a disaster. The Aggregate Morbidity Report Form has the potential to assist greatly in this role, and thus its utility for real-time reporting should be evaluated further.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preparedness capabilities: National standards for state and local planning. http://www.cdc.gov/phpr/capabilities/DSLR_capabilities_July.pdf. Published March 2011. Accessed February 22, 2012.
 
2. Federal Emergency Management Administration. Emergency Support Function annexes: introduction. http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nrf/nrf-annexes-all.pdf . Published 2008. Accessed June 9, 2010.
 
3. Beven JL, Kimberlain TB. Tropical cyclone report: Hurricane Gustav (AL072008), 25 August–4 September 2008. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL072008_Gustav.pdf. Published 2009. Accessed September 17, 2009.
 
4. Nossiter A. 2 million flee storm; G.O.P. cuts back. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/01/us/01gustav.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1253805327-c/eGagAthVIs+Be4VbuESQ. Published August 31, 2008. Accessed September 17, 2009.
 
5. Declared disasters. http://www.fema.gov/disasters. Accessed September 17, 2009.
 
6. Berg R. Tropical cyclone report: Hurricane Ike (AL092008), 1–14 September 2008. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL092008_Ike_3May10.pdf. Published January 23, 2009. Accessed September 17, 2009.
 
7. Drye W. “Freak” Hurricane Ike will cost $22 billion. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/09/080915-hurricane-ike_2.html. September 15, 2008. Accessed September 17, 2009.
 
8. Blake, ES, Landsea C, Gibney E. The deadliest, costliest, and most intense United States tropical cyclones from 1851–2010 (and other frequently requested hurricane facts). http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/nws-nhc-6.pdf. Published August 2011. Accessed July 13, 2012.
 
8a. CNBC. 10 most expensive hurricanes in US history.http://www.cnbc.com/id/26426796/10_Most_Expensive_Hurricanes_in_US_History?slide=9. Accessed November 27, 2012.
9. American Red Cross. Fast facts: Hurricanes Ike and Gustav. http://hurricaneike.wordpress.com/category/fast-facts. Accessed July 13, 2012.
10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public health assessment after a disaster. http://bt.cdc.gov/disasters/surveillance. Accessed June 9, 2010.
11. Schnall AH, Wolkin AF, Noe RS, et al. Evaluation of a standardized morbidity surveillance form for use during disasters caused by natural hazards. Prehosp Disaster Med 2010; 26: 90–98.
12. Zane DF, Bayleyegn TM, Hellsten J, et al. Tracking deaths related to Hurricane Ike, Texas, 2008. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2010; 5: 23–28.
13. Murray KO, Kilborn C, desVignes-Kendrick M, et al. Emerging disease syndromic surveillance for Hurricane Katrina evacuees seeking shelter in Houston’s Astrodome and Reliant Park Complex. Public Health Rep 2011; 124: 364–371.
14. Laditka SB, Laditka JN, Xiasagar S, et al. Providing shelter to nursing home evacuees in disasters: lesson learning from Hurricane Katrina. Am J Public Health 2008; 98: 1288–1293.
15. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Surveillance in hurricane evacuation centers—Louisiana, September–October 2005. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2006; 55: 32–35.
16. US Government Accountability Office. GAO report #GAO-07-88:disaster assistance: better planning needed for housing victims of catastrophic disasters. http://www.gao.gov/htext/d0788.html. Published March 1, 2007. Accessed September 17, 2009.
17. Jenkins J, McCarthy M, Kelen G, et al. Changes needed in the care for sheltered persons: a multistate analysis from Hurricane Katrina. Am J Disaster Med 2009; 4: 101–106.
18. Gavagan T, Smart K, Palacio H, et al. Hurricane Katrina: medical response at the Houston Astrodome/ Reliant Center Complex. South Med J 2006; 99: 933–939.
19. Vest J, Valadez A. Health conditions and risk factors of sheltered persons displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Prehosp Disaster Med 2006; 21: 55–58.
20. Greenough P, Lappi M, Hsu E, et al. Burden of disease and health status among Hurricane Katrina-displaced persons in shelters: a population-based cluster sample. Ann Emerg Med 2008; 51: 426–432.
21. Brahmbhatt D, Chan JL, Hsu EB, et al. Public health preparedness of post-Katrina and Rita shelter health staff. Prehosp Disaster Med 2009; 24: 500–505.
22. Miner M, Burns-Grant G, DeGraw C, et al. Integrated preparedness for continuity of tuberculosis care after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike: Louisiana and Texas, 2008. Public Health Rep 2010; 125: 518–519.
23. Frasca D. The Medical Reserve Corps as part of the federal medical and public health response in disaster settings. Biosecur Bioterror 2010; 8: 265–271.
23a. American Red Cross. Welcome to...Emergency Support Function #6 (ESF #6). www.homelandsecurity.state.pa.us/.../federal_esf__6_changes_pdf. Accessed November 27, 2012.
24. Zane D, Bayleyegn T, Haywood T, et al. Community assessment for public health emergency response following Hurricane Ike—Texas, 25–30 September 2008. Prehosp Disaster Med 2010; 25: 503–510.
25. Warner S. Increased incidence of domestic animal bites following a disaster due to natural hazards. Prehosp Disaster Med 2010; 25; 187–190.
26. Perry M, Banerjee D, Slentz M, et al. Hurricane Ike Rapid needs assessment—Houston, Texas, September 2008. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2009; 58: 1066–1071.