In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the GAO is evaluating how prepared hospitals and nursing homes are to evacuate patients during disasters, especially hurricanes. (Download the GAO preliminary report here.) In interviews with hospital and nursing home administrators, the GAO found that evacuation is a measure of last resort and that healthcare facilities attempt to “shelter in place.” Evacuating residents from nursing homes is particularly risky, since the patients cannot care for themselves and usually have no other home. And although the federal National Disaster Medical System can assist in the evacuation of patients from hospitals, it is not equipped to remove patients from nursing homes. The GAO’s final report will analyze areas of vulnerability for nursing homes during disasters.
