In a series of incidents reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina, floodwaters have devastated areas of the Midwest, including healthcare facilities.

 

In one example of the problems faced by hospitals, Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, IA, evacuated 176 patients last Friday as waters rose downtown. Limited patient services have been restored and the hospital expects to fully reopen by the end of June.

 

Meanwhile, Columbus (IN) Regional Hospital expects the full facility to be operational within three to six months, and its emergency department within eight weeks. Columbus Regional’s basement and first floor flooded last week, heavily damaging the building and equipment.

 

Expect Joint Commission surveyors to focus on these incidents during emergency management sessions for at least the near future.