Providing Healthcare to Evacuees in the Wake of a Natural Disaster: Opportunities to Improve Disaster Planning

Hospitals and clinics on major evacuation routes for natural disasters can expect the sudden necessity to provide care to evacuees. Unless plans to care for chronically-ill individuals are incorporated into hospital disaster plans, local healthcare facilities may be unprepared to provide care. Many evacuees will have limited resources to pay for services. Academic medical centers have unique resources and capabilities to lead in the care plans for these populations.