The effect of a class IV hurricane on emergency department operations.
The objective of this study was to determine the impact on emergency department (ED) operations of Hurricane Hugo, a class IV hurricane that struck Charleston, South Carolina, on September 21, 1989. The study design was a retrospective record-based descriptive study and mail survey of the ED of a 300-bed regional medical center directly in the path of the storm. During the 3 weeks after the storm, ED patient volume increased 19% over that of the 3 weeks before the storm. Increased visit volumes were evident for at least 3 months. Compared with a similar period of the previous year, there was an increase in the proportion of patients seen for lacerations of all types, puncture wounds, stings, and falls. Sixty-two percent of physician offices were still closed 7 days after the storm. The direct effects of a class IV hurricane on ED operations included major alterations in the volume and types of patient visits. Because of the evacuation of approximately 40% of the coastal population and storm damage hindering travel, the increase in visit volume was less in magnitude but of longer duration has been reported in class III hurricanes.
Sheppa
C M
CM
Department of Emergency Medicine, Trident Regional Medical Center, Charleston, SC 29418.
Stevens
J
J
Philbrick
J T
JT
Canada
M
M
D003625:Data Collection; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups / Q000145:classification; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004190:Disasters / Q000145:classification; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D010361:Patients / Q000145:classification; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013022:South Carolina