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/ Wednesday, August 8, 10,2021 2022 / Wednesday, September
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Eduardo Eduardo Hilera, Hilera, M.P.S. M.P.S.
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Emergency Emergency Management Managementand andHomeland HomelandSecurity SecurityExpert Expert
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When The GoingStorms to theofEmergency SeptemberRoom is the Cause of the Disaster
nsurance, healthcare coverage, COVID pandemic, the shortfalls in individual he Atlantic hurricanesynonymous, season— accessibility to care—nearly health facilities became evident. This happened the one impacts Puerto and arguably thethat root of the problem. throughout the entire country, including all the Rico—runs June 1 to listed In 2020, the first from four hospitals U.S. territories. November 30.top The peak, in the ranking of the ten hospitals in It wasn’t a problem that was exclusive to however, occurs from midthe world were U.S. hospitals. Those U.S. the United States either. Healthcare systems September to mid-October, hospitals ranked above throughout the world were which has already started, folks. hospitals in Canada, Germany, hurting then and are hurting now. The Switzerland, hurricanes permanently Israel, Singapore, recorded in our COVID exposed challenges that memories all made landfall in September. Hugo on and Sweden. nobody thought possible. September 19, 1988;systems Hortensia on September 10, When healthcare were As these problems grow, 1996; Georges onhowever, September ranked similarly the21, 1998; and Maria healthcare facilities become Eduardo Hilera, policy advisor on September 20, 2017. Thereon is a clear trend here. Rico As Puerto United States was eighteenth financially unsustainable, Lincoln said: “If I only had onecontinues hour to to lose theAbraham list. healthcare staff at every level chop down a tree, I would spend 45 minutes more and more Why? The countries that leave their jobs due to exhaustion take advantage of all the medical coverage benefits sharpening my axe.”on the list all doctors, hospitals ranked the highest and mediocre pay, and patients they may have. Veterans in Puerto Rico for instance Applying Honest Abe’s wise logic to hurricane become packed with had one thing in common: they lose access to care. do not use all their benefits, many times simply season, we should dohealthcare everything possiblepatients to get who seek all had some sort of In response, policymakers because navigating the system is simply too hard. ready before disaster.free medical care in the mandate thataincluded search for the responsible In Washington, Congress, the Senate in All it takes to get ready is a little creativity, logic only way they know healthcare, health care provided party and hospitals, hospital particular, should examine the efficiency and and a few bucks. Being prepared makes our how, the emergency via public/private partnerships, administrators, and doctors access to state and national platforms that allow communities more resilient. room. or mandatory insurance that become easy scapegoats. patients to obtain healthcare directly. The most basic emergency management was subsidized in several Policymakers however, should Lastly, at the state level, public/private concept is planning. Emergency managers agree ways. In essence, everyone is focus on those who are profiting partnerships may represent an opportunity for that the first 72 hours after a disaster are crucial— covered. In addition, private over the crisis and their role in the government to conduct adequate oversight of it takes that long for help from first responders plans are available to cover additional services. causing an inability to foot the bill. insurance companies while ensuring that citizens to reach those in need. In the spirit of planning, In comparison, access to healthcare in the United State legislators should focus on assisting and get adequate care and facilities remain adequately below is a checklist of the steps we can all take States is much more challenging. educating all their constituents so they are able to equipped and staffed. to be prepared for those first 72 hours. It doesn’t Damage from Hurricane Maria in Sept. 2017 >Carlos Rivera Giusti, Archive Puerto Rico for instance, produces some of the involve sophisticated equipment, just a few things finest doctors in the United States. Our medical First Aid Kit—Most of us have first aid products Water—Keep enough drinking water to keep your we can do by ourselves. school graduates are fully bilingual, are in tune but may not keep them all in the same place. family hydrated for 72 hours. In addition, keep Look through your home containers full of tap water for basic household with cultural sensitivities that are not even relevant Inspect Your Home—Look and store them all together. needs. in other parts of the United States, and regularly around your home at doors, The Red Cross and others complete complicated specialties in top-level windows, potentially hazardous Food—Cook what you can and use perishables first. provide recommendations of institutions as the University of Pennsylvania, objects, andsuch anything Make sure to keep non-perishable food as well. specific items to have, such as Mayo repairable. Clinic, MassAddress General and Cleveland Clinic. easily bandages, topical antibiotics The hurricanes The first challenge whatever you find andPuerto can fixRico has, however, Electronics Charging Routine—Make a list of all and ice packs. permanently recorded is drawing those professionals back to the immediately. Look for loose your electronics and keep them charged. Keep inlive our memories island. exposed What stops them from doors, windows, and wanting to back-up and disposable batteries handy as well. Emergency Phone Numbers— allpay! made landfall in in a Caribbean glass paradise? One or thing—the non-tempered windows However, the single most important electronic Modern times have made us Hugo Insurance pay some doctorsSeptember. as low as panels. Fix companies or secure everything device is the flashlight. Keep it handy. drift away from it, but use pen on September 19, eightcan. dollars per patient. What? Why? How? How is you and paper and write down your Tool Kit—Just like your first aid kit, make sure your 1988; Hortensia on this possible when insurance companies cost our most important contacts. If your tools are organized and accessible. An all-in-one Prepare Your Car—If you own a September patients, employers and even our government way 10, 1996; phone dies, this could come in car, keep the tank full. Set a tool kit, like many retailers carry, is a good idea to Georges on September more? very handy. This list will also reminder on your phone. In an keep handy. 21, 1998; and Maria on As Puerto Rico continues to lose more and serve as a reminder of the folks emergency, a full tank ofbecome gas will packedSeptember 20, 2017. more doctors, hospitals with you should keep in touch with Stay Tuned—Identify and follow your preferred get you wherever need care to in the only There patients who seekyou medical wayis a clear trend during the emergency. news sources. Make sure they’re reliable and go. In addition, identify a safe here. they know how, the emergency room. Throughout frequently updated. In addition, pick up a basic spot where you can park your Puerto Rico emergency rooms are packed, many Cash at Hand—Electronic battery-powered radio. car. times with cases that could easily, efficiently, and payment platforms, ATMS and quickly be served byor anyour outpatient visit. It’s not the banks can go out of service. Stay Calm—You have done the important work of Medication—If you patient’s fault, however. also notyou the have hospital’s Keep enough money on hand to pay for basics getting ready. Now, the most important part is to family take medications, It’s make sure a full fault. supply. following the disaster. remain calm, during and after the storm. week’s As our healthcare facilities and professionals started to take operational control of the
In fact,
In fact,
“Policymakers however, should focus on those who are profiting over the crisis and their role in causing an inability to foot the bill.”
