Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2brh9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T23:44:02.748Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Cross-sectional Survey of Long-Term Care Facilities in the Rockaway Peninsula: Preparedness and Response During Hurricane Sandy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 August 2017

Lynn Jiang ,
Christopher Tedeschi Open the ORCID record for Christopher Tedeschi [Opens in a new window]  and
Saleena Subaiya
Lynn Jiang*
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine Residency Program, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
Christopher Tedeschi
Affiliation:
College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York
Saleena Subaiya
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine Residency Program, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Lynn Jiang, Emergency Medicine Department, New York Presbyterian Hospital, 565 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10021 (e-mail: lgj7001@nyp.org).
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background

Few studies have described the challenges experienced by long-term care facilities (LTCFs) following Hurricane Sandy. This study examined LTCF preparedness and experiences during and after the storm.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted 2 years after Hurricane Sandy to assess LTCF demographics, preparation, and post-storm resources. Surveys were conducted at LTCFs located on the Rockaway Peninsula of New York City. All LTCFs located in a heavily affected area were approached.

Results

Of 29 facilities, 1 had closed, 5 did not respond, 9 declined to participate, and 14 participated, yielding a response rate of 50% for open facilities. Twenty-one percent of the facilities had preparations specifically for hurricanes. More than 70% of the facilities had lost electricity, heat, and telephone service, and one-half had evacuated. Twenty-one percent of the facilities reported not receiving any assistance and over one-half reported that relief resources did not meet their needs.

Conclusions

Many LTCFs lacked plans specific to such a large-scale event. Since nearly all of the LTCFs in the region were affected, preexisting transportation and housing plans may have been inadequate. Future preparation could include hazard-specific planning and reliance on resources from a wider geographic area. Access to electricity emerged as a top priority. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:194–200)

Keywords

disaster planningnursing homesemergency preparednesscyclonic storms
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 12 , Issue 2 , April 2018 , pp. 194 - 200
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Blake, ES, Kimberlain, TB, Berg, RJ, et al. Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Sandy. National Hurricane Center. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL182012_Sandy.pdf. Published February 12, 2013. Accessed July 11, 2017.Google Scholar
2. New York City Special Initiative on Resilience and Recovery. A Stronger, More Resilient New York. https://www.nycedc.com/resource/stronger-more-resilient-new-york. Published June 2013. Accessed July 11, 2017.Google Scholar
3. Pollak, M. Why So Many Nursing Homes in the Rockaways? New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/18/nyregion/why-so-many-nursing-homes-in-the-rockaways.html?_r=1. Published 2012. Accessed February 10, 2016.Google Scholar
4. Mayor Bloomberg Issues Order for Mandatory Evacuation of Low-Lying Areas as Hurricane Sandy Approaches, PR 377-12 [press release]. City of New York website. http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/377-12/mayor-bloomberg-issues-order-mandatory-evacuation-low-lying-areas-hurricane-sandy. Published October 28, 2012. Accessed July 11, 2017.Google Scholar
5. Dosa, DM, Grossman, N, Wetle, T, et al. To evacuate or not to evacuate: lessons learned from Louisiana nursing home administrators following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2007;8(3):142-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2006.11.004.Google Scholar
6. Dosa, DM, Hyer, K, Brown, LM, et al. The controversy inherent in managing frail nursing home residents during complex hurricane emergencies. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2008;9(8):599-604. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2008.05.007.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7. Gibbs, LI, Holloway, CF. Hurricane Sandy After Action: Report and Recommendations to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. http://www.nyc.gov/html/recovery/downloads/pdf/sandy_aar_5.2.13.pdf. Published May 2013. Accessed July 11, 2017.Google Scholar
8. Caruso, D. Sandy Highlights Nursing Home Evacuation Troubles. http://bigstory.ap.org/article/sandy-highlights-nursing-home-evacuation-troubles. Published 2013. Accessed March 29, 2016.Google Scholar
9. Associated Press. Elderly and disabled Sandy victims are still homeless. http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/elderly-disabled-sandy-victims-homeless-article-1.1227517. Published 2012. Accessed March 29, 2016.Google Scholar
10. Levinson, D. Gaps continue to exist in nursing home emergency preparedness and response during disasters: 2007-2010. US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-06-09-00270.asp. Published April 2012. Accessed July 11, 2017.Google Scholar
11. Castle, NG. Nursing home evacuation plans. Am J Public Health. 2008;98(7):1235-1240. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2006.107532.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12. Subaiya, S, Moussavi, C, Velasquez, A, et al. A rapid needs assessment of the Rockaway Peninsula in New York City after Hurricane Sandy and the relationship of socioeconomic status to recovery. Am J Public Health. 2014;104(4):632-638. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301668.Google Scholar
13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) Toolkit. 2nd ed. Atlanta, GA: CDC; 2012.Google Scholar
14. Vogt, B. Issues in nursing home evacuations. Int J Mass Emerg Disasters. 1991;9(2):247-265.Google Scholar
15. Servis, KW, Fage, BI. Comprehensive Emergency Management Program Worksheet. New York State Department of Health. https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/nursing_home_administrator/docs/dal_05-11_comprehensive_emergency_management_program_worksheet.pdf. Published 2005. Accessed July 11, 2017.Google Scholar
16. New York City Office of Emergency Management. New York City Hurricane Evacuation Zones. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/10/28/nyregion/hurricane-evacuation-zones.html?_r=0. Published 2012. Accessed June 6, 2016.Google Scholar
17. New York City Office of Emergency Management. New York City Hurricane Evacuation Zones. http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/downloads/pdf/hurricane_map_english.pdf. Published 2016. Accessed June 6, 2016.Google Scholar
18. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers; Proposed Rule. Fed Regist. 2013;78(249):79082-79200.Google Scholar
19. Norris, FH, Kaniasty, K. Reliability of delayed self-reports in disaster research. J Trauma Stress. 1992;5(4):575-588. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.2490050407.Google Scholar