U.S. Disaster
The Joplin, Missouri EF-5 tornado of May 22, 2011 claimed 161 lives, resulted in over a thousand injured, and damages were an estimated $3 billion worth making it the deadliest tornado in United States history since 1947 (Wheatley, 2013; Smith, 2011). This deadly tornado significantly impacted the Joplin community’s access to care as it demolished nearly ½ of its healthcare resources including the St. John’s Regional Medical Center (Missouri Hospitals Association, 2014). Emergency responders, volunteers (from over 400 different organizations), federal, and state responders all arrived to Joplin following the tornado to scour debris for human life and brought patients to designated triage areas such as the Memorial center where critical care patients were being cared for in-between stadium seats (Missouri Hospitals Association, 2014).Socioeconomics played a role in the number of fatalities related to this event due to many lacking safe rooms which can cost $6000 to $8000 to build (Johnson, 2013). The Joplin recovery efforts were still in progress as of 2013 with the new building of homes, safe rooms, schools, and a new hospital (Johnson, 2013).
I cannot imagine being a healthcare provider during this incredibly stressful time however; I know that if I had lived in this area it would have been required of me to know the emergency operations plan (EOP) of the state’s healthcare facility (Missouri Hospitals Association, 2014). According to the Missouri Hospitals Association (2014), hospital severe weather plans implemented a watch status at 5:11 PM on May 22nd and all three area hospital’s moved patients into safer locations such as hallways. St. John’s Regional Medical Center immediately evacuated to neighboring hospitals as protocol stated (Missouri Hospitals Association, 2014). And all neighboring hospitals set up triage areas in all possible waiting areas and because of this all hospitals were able to properly triage the large influx of patients the first 24 hours after the tornado hit (Missouri Hospitals Association, 2014). I can only imagine what must have gone on in a healthcare provider’s mind during this time, thinking of the status of their loved ones at home and their children all while trying to care for their patients. I think the only thing that would have kept me calm and focused would have been the fact that my patient is someone’s mother, father, son, etc. and just as I would be hoping someone was helping my family, I know my patient’s family would be depending on me as well.
According to recent research, it appears states in Tornado country, especially Missouri, are currently making progress to increase their preparedness evident by the Missouri Hospital Association release of a document (in partnership with the Joint Commission )called “Preparedness and Partnerships: Lessons Learned from the Missouri Disasters of 2011: A Focus on Joplin” (Missouri Hospitals Association, 2014). And according to the Missouri Hospital Emergency Preparedness Assessment, hospitals have made significant progress since 2011 in areas such as planning, their national incident planning system, communication, and safety and security (although much needed progress still needs to be made regarding a structured decontamination plan (42%)) (Missouri Hospitals Association, 2014). Evacuation-specific lessons learned from the Joplin tornado include the installation of battery back-up lit stairwells and disaster equipment in ready to go bags (Missouri Hospitals Association, 2014). With the tornado demolishing the St. John’s Regional Medical Center, a new hospital called Mercy Hospital has been built and has been constructed to better withstand future tornadoes (Johnson, 2013).
References
Johnson W 2013 Progress continues 2 years after Joplin tornadoJohnson, W. (2013, May 21). Progress continues 2 years after Joplin tornado. Retrieved April 22, 2015, from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/19/progress-after-joplin-tornado/2322167 20150422225539387434840
Missouri Hospitals Association 2014 Preparedness and partnershipsMissouri Hospitals Association (2014). Preparedness and partnerships. Retrieved April 22, 2015, from http://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/6/Joplin_2012_Lessons_Learned.pdf 201504222250231861290455
Smith A 2011 Deadly Joplin tornado could cost $3 billionSmith, A. (2011, May 24). Deadly Joplin tornado could cost $3 billion. Retrieved April 22, 2015, from http://money.cnn.com/2011/05/24/news/economy/tornado_joplin/ 201504222245461039591432
Wheatley K 2013 May 22, 2011 Joplin, Missouri EF5 TornadoWheatley, K. (2013, May 22). The May 22, 2011 Joplin, Missouri EF5 Tornado. Retrieved April 22, 2015, from http://www.ustornadoes.com/2013/05/22/joplin-missouri-ef5-tornado-may-22-2011/
