Eight months later: Hurricane Katrina aftermath challenges facing the Infectious Diseases Section of the Louisiana State University Health Science Center.

Full Abstract

The effects of Hurricane Katrina have caused the long-term sequelae of a diminished patient base, of a reduced number of available health care professionals, and of closing hospitals in New Orleans, Louisiana. These changes have substantially impacted the academic infrastructure of New Orleans. This article outlines the post-Katrina response of the Louisiana State University Health Science Center (LSUHSC) Infectious Diseases Section and Health Care Services Division to maintain existing HIV and infectious diseases programs. Although several challenges delayed the immediate reopening of the New Orleans location of the HIV Outpatient Program clinic, the LSUHSC Infectious Diseases Section and Health Care Services Division established clinics outside New Orleans for the care of HOP patients immediately following the hurricane. The HOP clinic reopened in New Orleans (in a temporary location) in early November 2005. Several recommendations for academic clinical, training, and research programs are outlined, to assist other centers that might face disaster aftermath challenges.

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Author information

Author/s: Infectious Diseases Section, Louisiana State University Health Science Center;

Affiliation: Louisiana State University Health Science Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (Clin Infect Dis), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Aug; vol 43 (issue 4) : pp 485-9

Dates: Created 2006/07/13; Completed 2006/08/22; Revised 2008/11/21;

PMID: 16838238, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Academic Medical Centers - organization & administration
Ambulatory Care Facilities - organization & administration
Communicable Diseases - therapy
Disaster Planning - organization & administration
Disasters
HIV Infections - therapy

HIV Infections - therapy
Health Planning - organization & administration
Humans
Louisiana
Specialties, Medical
Time Factors

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