Legacy Community Health’s Post

This year’s hurricane season is battering states across the country, and the healthcare supply chain is feeling the pressure. Making matters worse, Hurricane Helene has just crippled a North Carolina factory responsible for producing 60% of the IV fluids used in U.S. hospitals. Will the healthcare supply chain buckle under the weight? And how will patient care be impacted nationwide? In this episode of HealthBiz Briefs, David E. Williams and John Driscoll explore how recent natural disasters affect our healthcare system and medical supply chains—and what these disruptions reveal about the long-term need for stronger disaster preparedness. 📲 Listen to the full episode 🎧👇 https://lnkd.in/gYy3HX8T #healthcarepodcast #healthcare #healthcaresystem #healthsupplychain #supplychain #HurricaneHelene #disasterprep

Public Health Emergency declared by the Department of Health & Human Services - here's another proof point America's medical supply chains are unhealthy. 60% of the nation's IV solution production is unavailable due to the Hurricane Helene flooding at a Baxter International plan in North Carolina. No one knows when the plant will reopen as the damage is still being assessed. Further, roads and bridges leading to the plant are damaged as well. https://lnkd.in/gDVf8Axt #medicalsupplychains #supplychains #hospitalsupplies #healthcaresupplies #publichealthemergency

As Hurricane Milton approaches, it’s more important than ever to look out for the safety of both our patients and our team. Working in healthcare, we know the importance of being prepared, especially in times like this. 1. Patient Care and Safety: If you're in the storm’s path, reach out to patients in advance to reschedule appointments. Their safety comes first, and we can always find a time to continue care when the storm passes. 2. Team Well-being: For my fellow healthcare workers, please put your safety first. Communicate with your office about closing or adjusting hours and make sure your team has the flexibility to stay safe. We can’t care for others if we aren’t safe ourselves. 3. Prepare the Office: If you’re in charge of a healthcare facility, ensure everything is secured—back up patient records, protect equipment from potential flooding, and communicate with staff about any changes to operations. 4. After the Storm: When it’s safe to return, take your time assessing any damage before jumping back into work. Support each other through recovery and keep patient communication open about when they can expect appointments to resume. We all have a role in caring for our patients, but please, take care of yourselves first. Be safe, and lean on your team—we’re all in this together. #HealthcareSafety #HurricanePreparedness #DentalCare #PatientFirst #TeamSafety #CommunitySupport

A new Clinician Letter is now available to read. Learn more about IV fluid production disruption due to Hurricane Helene: ➡️ Guidance for healthcare providers ➡️ Supply impact and management https://lnkd.in/eiqX7aT2

Hurricane Helene: A Healthcare Perspective I’m always thinking about the broader impact of natural disasters like Hurricane Helene. While the immediate concern is physical safety, we also need to consider the health implications that arise both during and after the storm. Public health risks associated with hurricanes often include: Increased injuries: Due to flying debris, structural collapses, and flooding, medical facilities should be prepared for trauma cases. Contaminated water: Flooding can lead to waterborne diseases, so ensuring access to clean water is vital. Power outages: Many depend on electricity for medical equipment, so backup power sources at hospitals and homes are essential. For healthcare professionals, it's critical to have emergency protocols in place, stockpile necessary medications, and make sure patient records are secure but accessible for continuity of care. Let’s stay prepared and resilient. Prevention and readiness will save lives. #HurricaneHelene #HealthcarePreparedness #EmergencyCare #Storm #weather #USA #Florida #StaySafe

The OIG was busy this August, adding new focus areas that could impact your compliance strategy— from Medicare payment reviews and NIH award audits to addressing overpayments and ensuring healthcare preparedness for hurricane season. Get the eBrief today: https://hubs.la/Q02PkxgD0 #Compliance #Healthcare #Medicare #NIH #EmergencyPreparedness

Lee Health is a forward-thinking organization, modeling a strategic emphasis on preparedness in order to protect the communities they serve. After Hurricane Ian devastated the healthcare provider’s service area, they began to seek rapidly deployable infrastructure solutions to mitigate the impacts on care during future storms. ⛈ With a collaborative effort between Black & Veatch and Lee Health, an innovative solution was created: the Mobile Disaster Response Unit. 🚐 The MDRU is intended to be used full-time; outside of states of emergency, it can continue to be leveraged to support underserved communities by bringing much-needed services directly to them. Learn more about the durable, secure, and sustainable design: http://ms.spr.ly/6041YbpO3

Latest International Medical Corps sitrep from #HurricaneBeryl (july 30th - sorry for the delay) FAST FACTS • Since Hurricane Beryl hit Jamaica on July 3, there has been an ongoing need for shelter rehabilitation and access to medical supplies, food, and water, sanitation and hygiene. Many health centers and facilities in Saint Elizabeth Parish are nonoperational due to infrastructure and equipment damage; services there have been redirected to other centers or temporary facilities. • At least 36 deaths have been reported in Texas after the hurricane, with more than half due to complications surrounding heat and power loss. Texas remains under an excessive heat advisory, and vulnerable communities in Houston continue to suffer from damaged health facilities, houses and apartment buildings, as well as increased food insecurity and exacerbated health conditions. OUR RESPONSE • In Jamaica, International Medical Corps is partnering with the Ministry of Health and the Saint Elizabeth regional health team to rehabilitate and support non-functioning and temporary health facilities, and provide training. • In Texas, International Medical Corps is partnering with networks of community health centers to provide emergency response and recovery supplies for staff and patients, and to provide training programs to prepare facilities and communities for future emergencies.

Being a #nurse working with rare disease populations and providing patient education gave me a sense of awareness that I hadn’t had before that position. And after seeing the effects of 2 fast-moving storms in two weeks (early and ahead of the official 2024 Hurricane season) should make you take a thoughtful pause for preparation. Good tips: - Go ahead and gather your water supplies now. - Keep your important forms and documents within reach in case of rapid evacuation. - Take an account, and stock up on your medicines in case of power, road, or business disruptions. - Keep a written list of the most important phone numbers with you and in your documents in case your cell phone is lost, damaged, stolen, or without power. - Consider home and safety needs in case of power and internet loss, including portable lamps, packets of batteries, manual can openers, and pantry food requiring little to no preparation. And don't forget about your health and personal care supplies (including sanitary napkins, diapers, wipes, and trash bags) There is something particularly eerie about this approaching storm season. Our Florida, Texas, New Orleans, and interior Gulf states are already at risk, and this year - I sense that we will be in for one heck of a season. ⛈️ 🌪️🌩️🌫️ #NursysOnLinkedIn #EmergencyPreparedness

Lee Health is a forward-thinking organization, modeling a strategic emphasis on preparedness in order to protect the communities they serve. 🩺 After Hurricane Ian devastated the #Healthcare provider’s service area, they began to seek rapidly deployable #InfrastructureSolutions to mitigate the impacts on care during future storms. ⛈ With a collaborative effort between our team and Lee Health, an innovative solution was created: the Mobile Disaster Response Unit. 🚐 The MDRU is intended to be used full-time; outside of states of emergency, it can continue to be leveraged to support underserved communities by bringing much-needed services directly to them. Learn more about the durable, secure and sustainable design: http://ms.spr.ly/6049YZmnx