Hurricane Katrina: medical response at the Houston Astrodome/Reliant Center Complex.
On September 1, 2005, with only 12 hours notice, various collaborators established a medical facility--the Katrina Clinic--at the Astrodome/Reliant Center Complex in Houston. By the time the facility closed roughly two weeks later, the Katrina Clinic medical staff had seen over 11,000 of the estimated 27,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees who sought shelter in the Complex. Herein, we describe the scope of this medical response, citing our major challenges, successes, and recommendations for conducting similar efforts in the future.
Gavagan
Thomas F
TF
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 3701 Kirby, Suite 600, Houston, TX 77098, USA. tgavagan@bcm.edu
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Kieran
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Palacio
Herminia
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Dyer
Carmel
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Greenberg
Stephen
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Sirbaugh
Paul
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Fishkind
Avrim
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Hamilton
Douglas
D
Shah
Umair
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Masi
George
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Ivey
R Todd
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Jones
Julie
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Chiou-Tan
Faye Y
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Bloodworth
Donna
D
Hyman
David
D
Whigham
Cliff
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Pavlik
Valory
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Feigin
Ralph D
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Mattox
Kenneth
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D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004190:Disasters; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006272:Health Facility Environment; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000458:organization & administration; D015980:Public Health Practice; D011871:Radiology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000458:organization & administration; D012066:Relief Work / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013781:Texas; D014218:Triage