Florida sustains more direct hits from hurricanes than any other state, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. From 1851 to 2018, the Sunshine State sustained 121 hurricanes.
As healthcare professionals know, providing healthcare during and immediately after hurricanes and other natural disasters can present a myriad of short-term obstacles and long-term challenges.
VITAS® Healthcare, the nation’s leading hospice care provider, was founded in Miami and cares for an average of 9,628 patients every day in 13 locations throughout Florida. In 2019, VITAS enters its fourth decade of providing compassionate end-of-life care throughout South Florida.
Severe weather and natural disasters in Florida
As recently as 2017, when massive hurricanes Harvey and Irma impacted the Sunshine State, VITAS demonstrated its ability to deliver consistent, high-quality end-of-life care during trying natural disasters.
When a disaster looms, VITAS executes an emergency plan. The core component: communication. Pre-event, during and post-event, continuous phone and text communications among VITAS leaders, senior management, program managers, medical directors, corporate departments and field staff ensure that all aspects of disaster planning are covered.
Throughout any weather event or emergency, decisions are made based on internal needs and information from federal, state and local agencies.
When staff members in the field are unable to drive or travel safely, or when roads are impassable, VITAS’ highly trained, 24/7 Telecare staff members monitor VITAS hospice patients and families by phone until team members can resume home visits. Additionally, the VITAS digital communications teams update phone systems and online resources to keep South Florida patients, families and employees informed.
Once the disaster has passed, recovery efforts kick into high gear, often supported by VITAS team members who can be deployed from programs in other states.
Responding with calm, dignity and values
VITAS’ daily focus on bringing calm and dignity to anxious, uncertain patients and families who are facing the challenges of a life-limiting illness carries over into our disaster planning and response.
Guided by two of our company’s values—“Patients and families come first” and “We take care of each other”—teams have proven time and time again they are willing to do what it takes to resume patient care as soon and as safely as possible, and they are willing to go above and beyond to make it happen.
After Hurricane Harvey’s historic flooding in Houston, for example, VITAS employees needed help caring for their own families. Spared much of the storm’s damage, VITAS colleagues from offices in Fort Worth, Dallas and San Antonio voluntarily relocated temporarily to Houston to ensure uninterrupted care for Houston-area hospice patients and their families, a gesture that gave Houston-based employees time to recoup, recover and return to work.
The VITAS national management team stepped in as well. VITAS fleet trucks from our Home Medical Equipment division—usually filled with durable medical equipment like hospital beds and oxygen tanks for patients—were stocked instead with water, food and personal hygiene products and deployed directly to employees and patients.
Even before Houston had recovered, Florida and Georgia were preparing for Hurricane Irma’s arrival. When Irma left a trail of damaged buildings, flooding and millions without power, VITAS team members were right behind, ready to make a difference.
VITAS hospice teams from Miami to Jacksonville maintained care for existing patients and brought new patients on service. VITAS assisted Florida employees with critical and emergent needs, including food, water, medical aid and even gasoline.
VITAS remains steadfast in its commitment to provide comfort and support to patients, their families and its employees at the time it is needed most—even when that time includes hurricanes, severe storms, fires and other natural disasters. Guided by its core values, VITAS remains focused on overcoming any challenge in order to make a difference in the lives of others.
