The damage inflicted by Hurricane Harvey has posed enormous health challenges in Houston and neighboring areas hit hard by the storm. As regional medical director of emergency medicine for the Houston Methodist Hospital System, one of us (Neil) has been on the front lines of the medical response. The other (Ranu) has been involved in responses to such public health disasters as the Ebola crisis in Africa, Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The response to Harvey is ongoing, but there are early lessons that could help governments and health systems in dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma and other major catastrophes down the road.
What Harvey Is Teaching the Health Care Sector About Managing Disasters
Deploy resources creatively.
September 12, 2017
Summary.
The damage inflicted by Hurricane Harvey has posed enormous health challenges in Houston and neighboring areas hit hard by the storm. While the response is ongoing, there are early lessons that could help governments and health systems in dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma and other major catastrophes down the road: Deploy existing resources creatively to address unforeseen challenges. Think twice before closing smaller medical facilities. Schedule medical staff and give them time off to avoid burnout. Establish clear and trusted sources of information. And don’t underestimate the human spirit.
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HBR Learning
Crisis Management Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Crisis Management. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Learn how to manage uncertainty, dispel rumors, and help your team recover.