This article was updated Tuesday at 7:31 p.m.
Florida health care workers are bracing for a rapid response to “violent” Hurricane Milton, which is expected to hit the state on Wednesday.
More than 300 medical facilities have already been evacuated ahead of the storm, which is expected to bring devastating walls of wind and water to the state’s Gulf Coast.
Hurricane Milton regains strength and heads towards Florida
Specifically, 63 nursing homes, 17 hospitals, 179 assisted living facilities, 7 hospices, and 7 facilities for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities were removed as the powerful storm approached the state. There are no more patients or residents.
Florida Hospital Association President and CEO Mary Mayhew said hospitals are working to stay open before, during and after the storm because health care remains an essential service. . “There were a number of injuries sustained in the aftermath of the storm that required continued medical care in the aftermath, including babies being delivered and people requiring emergency treatment and hospitalization,” she said.
Florida hospitals are investing in strengthening their facilities to make them more resilient to hurricanes. To this end, hospitals have installed flood mitigation equipment, and some have installed wells in case the public water supply is interrupted. Mayhew added that hospitals are “very good at inventorying supplies” needed to care for people.
“The challenge is that this is a compounding effect in the aftermath of Hurricane Helen, where the same areas along the Gulf Coast are still littered with debris and clogged drains, making them vulnerable to major flooding. “An already very fragile situation will be exacerbated by debris and clogged drains from Helen,” Mayhew told the Florida Phoenix. .
“For hospitals, this will impact patient transport and the ability of staff to cross roads and bridges to get to hospitals.”
Hurricane warnings have been issued for 26 counties in the state, and seven other counties are also under hurricane watches.
Milton is the second storm to hit Florida in recent weeks. Hurricane Helen made landfall in Taylor County on September 26th with sustained winds of 140 mph. This is the third time in 13 months that the region, part of Florida’s Big Bend, has fallen victim to a natural disaster.
“The safety and health of our residents and employees remains our top priority,” Florida Medical Association CEO Emmett Reed said in a prepared statement. Our member nursing centers and assisted living facilities are working with local governments to prepare for this storm, mobilizing teams to evacuate and shelter in place as needed. Healthcare providers have implemented emergency plans and procedures to protect the people in their care and are ensuring all necessary precautions are in place, including emergency supplies and power supplies. ”
Meanwhile, Florida Medicaid officials on Monday waived prior authorization requirements for essential Medicaid services and lifted early prescription refill restrictions for all except controlled substances.
The Florida Department of Insurance Regulation reminded insurance companies, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacy chains, and health care providers to fill prescriptions in areas affected by the storm.
The Ministry of Health has issued a bulletin advising residents to take precautions against water-borne diseases and mosquito bites. Storm surge increases Vibrio bacteria, which can cause illness if ingested. Contaminated water can also cause illness in people with open wounds.
The Florida Phoenix is part of State Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by a coalition of grants and donors as a 501c(3) public charity. The Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. If you have any questions, please contact editor Michael Moline at (email protected). Follow Florida Phoenix on Facebook and X.
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