The Article in Brief

Caring for a Surge of Hurricane Katrina Evacuees in Primary Care Clinics

Thomas D. Edwards, DO, and colleagues

Background Approximately 4,500 victims of Hurricane Katrina were evacuated to Tarrant County, Texas, over a 5-day period. A local health network, with a strong family medicine component, took primary responsibility for 3,700 evacuees and provided medical care to 1,664 (44%) of them during a 2-week period. They prevented the emergency department and hospital from being overwhelmed by using a triage system located away from the emergency department. Most patients with health care needs were referred to a primary care clinic. The authors share lessons learned to help in planning for future disasters.