title: Electronic health records access during a disaster.
abstract: As has been demonstrated previously, medical care providers that employ an electronic health records (EHR) system provide more appropriate, cost effective care. Those providers are also better positioned than those who rely on paper records to recover if their facility is damaged as a result of severe storms, fires, or other events. The events surrounding Superstorm Sandy in 2012 made it apparent that, with relatively little additional effort and investment, health care providers with EHR systems may be able to use those systems for patient care purposes even during disasters that result in damage to buildings and facilities, widespread power outages, or both.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Trauma Department, Hackensack University Medical Center, Steven J. Pawlak MSM, MICP, NJ EMS Task Force.
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morchel
authors.affiliation: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Office of Preparedness and Emergency Operations, Regional Emergency Coordinator Program.
authors.forename: Murad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raheem
authors.affiliation: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stevens